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[dealornodeal]

A warning to you all.

My Son has received 2 Debts in the past month from CapQuest, one for £203.51p and one today for £185.91p. Both of these letters went to our old address, and he had been left home for 7 years! Yes he had fallen on bad times and repaid all his debts, and he told me he had repaid everything. He had phoned up to ask what the Debt was for with the first threat, and they couldnt tell him. The Woman got quite nasty with him.

So I went on their Website, and I know this is a Scam. On the second thread of Google, is Grumbletext. Have a read of that. A lot of people have paid debts up they do not owe, others have been told the same - they cannot explain the debts, and majority go back 6/7 years!

[rog2]

Typical CRAPQUEST tactics - if no written contact, or payment made for 6 years, then the 'debt' is covered under the statute barred legislation. Unfortunately, the majority of people are unaware of this legislation, and DCA's, like CAPQUEST try to collect.

[AGB863]

as the previous poster said - it is "statute barred" and there is no legal avenue for the collector to go down - but it does not stop them from trying to collect the money.

Cap Quest will make a lot of noises and "threats" but that is all they can do

Here is the relevent section from the Debt Collection Guidance as set down by the Office of Fair Traiding - advice Cap Quest to read this section

Statute barred debt

2.13 This guidance applies to the pursuit of debt regardless of its age. We will be
carrying out further work on this aspect of debt recovery including analysis of
relevant legislation and practice throughout the UK.

2.14 In the past we have dealt with a number of statute barred debt cases governed by
the Limitation Act 1980, which applies to England and Wales. Based on that
experience our position with regard to England and Wales remains:

a. we accept legally the debt exists

b. it is the methods by which the debt is collected that can be
unfair as follows:

• it is unfair to pursue the debt if the debtor has heard nothing from
the creditor during the relevant limitation period

• if a creditor has been in regular contact with a debtor before the debt
is statute barred, then we do not consider it unfair to continue to
attempt to recover the debt

• it is unfair to mislead debtors as to their rights and obligations, for
example, falsely stating or implying that the debt is still legally
recoverable and relying on consumers not knowing the relevant legal
provisions, and

• continuing to press for payment after a debtor has stated that they
will not be paying a debt because it is statute barred could amount to
harassment contrary to section 40 (1) of the Administration of
Justice Act 1970.

Hope this helps

[nickyhutch]

Horrid people (mostly). I had a message to ring them yesterday, and did so because I know my payments are up to date. Spoke to the rudest man in the world, who wrongly told me I was in default, was paying on the wrong date, etc etc... I asked him if he had to pass special exams in pig ignorance and bad manners to get his job, then hung up. Rang afain, and spoke to a lovely lovely lady, who put it all right and even apologised, and said the man had been wrong.

I told her it was nice to be in touch with someone polite at Capquest for a change, and she said "oh, the odd one of us is!"

[dealornodeal]

Yes, Ive just been on the phone to them, and gave them an ear bashing! I stated facts and they argued. I told him straight my Son has paid up all his debts, they are expecting their first child; and that I will see them in court. And advised them to leave him alone. I then put the phone down!

[dealornodeal]

Just as a matter of Interest. I have been discussing this with a friend of mine. I stated earlier that my son has been left home for 7 years. My friend said well you move in June 2006, and sold your house in Dec. Question would that have any bearing on CapQuest trying to make some extra money. Any ideas appreciated?

[Storm]

Originally Posted by dealornodeal

Yes, Ive just been on the phone to them, and gave them an ear bashing! I stated facts and they argued. I told him straight my Son has paid up all his debts, they are expecting their first child; and that I will see them in court. And advised them to leave him alone. I then put the phone down!

Ooo - they shouldn't have discussed your son's situation with you - your son could threaten them with court under the data protection act!

If they get in touch again I would mention this - and make sure you note down the date & time of conversations, and if possible the name of the person you speak to!

[dealornodeal]

Originally Posted by Storm

Ooo - they shouldn't have discussed your son's situation with you - your son could threaten them with court under the data protection act!

If they get in touch again I would mention this - and make sure you note down the date & time of conversations, and if possible the name of the person you speak to!

No Storm I phoned them up, and started arguing with them!

[dealornodeal]

Right everyone. I have just received in the post, my sons letter from CrapQuest a bill for £185.91p; which they purchased from another company. It doesnt say on there what Items were purchased, nor what date the said item(s) were purchased! So in fact I would say that its an illegal demand for money! I could start up a company and say to you all on here that you all owe me £200.00p. What would you all say to me - Go and get st....d I would imagine!

So it will be interesting to see when/ If a Solicitors letter appears at my old Address/ or to my Sons New Address where he has been residing for some years. And although I know he has paid all his debts years ago. I know that debts are not recoverable after 6 years!

Your views on CapQuest. In your opinion are they a Cowboy Unit, just trying to make money through fear? Is what they are doing legal?

[rog2]

Originally Posted by dealornodeal

Your views on CapQuest. In your opinion are they a Cowboy Unit, just trying to make money through fear?

In a nutshell - YES.

[jetbags]

Originally Posted by dealornodeal

Right everyone. I have just received in the post, my sons letter from CrapQuest a bill for £185.91p; which they purchased from another company. It doesnt say on there what Items were purchased, nor what date the said item(s) were purchased! So in fact I would say that its an illegal demand for money! I could start up a company and say to you all on here that you all owe me £200.00p. What would you all say to me - Go and get st....d I would imagine!

So it will be interesting to see when/ If a Solicitors letter appears at my old Address/ or to my Sons New Address where he has been residing for some years. And although I know he has paid all his debts years ago. I know that debts are not recoverable after 6 years!

Your views on CapQuest. In your opinion are they a Cowboy Unit, just trying to make money through fear? Is what they are doing legal?

As a previous thread hinted at.... put capquest into your google search bar and then select grumbletext from the results. Enter capquest in the search bar and sit back for 3 weeks and read through.
You simply will not believe what this company is capable of.... or more importantly... how strong we the consumers are when it comes to fighting back.
Criminal proceedings are apparently already in place against these jokers, obtaining money with menaces and hundreds of complaints to the Oft and Trading standards with regard harassment are only the beginning.
There is strength in numbers, so its up to all of us to contribute and get these people out of the industry.

[beeniemac]

Capquest is the new name for 1st Credit iirc - If the debt is over 6 years old, contact the company who the debt was originally owed to and advise them of the situation. If they don't listen, get CAB or a solicitor to write a letter outlining the details. If after this you still have no luck, write a follow up letter and copy in the FSA and the regulatory body of the original creditor

[mummyyummy]

i have just received a letter from capquest...this is not my first they have sent me and OH loadsa letters coz they have apparantely bought over an old debt of ours...they are constantly phoning us ALL the time..to the extent now that i no longer answer the fon (my caller id fon broke so only have old handset one at the mo) ..anyway this letter today says "investigations have indicated that i am in employment" (well spose i am as a stay at home mum!!) and they are taking me to court and they will make an attachment of earnings order!! as part of this order they will require to know lots of details blah..blah..blah..if i dont comply a judge may decide to commit me to prison....so its in my interests to ring their office on 0870 084 3516 to discuss settlement...our pre-litigation team are on hand to asist you...not even signed by a person, just litigation executive on behalf of capquest..any ideas wot to do now? should i continue ignoring these ppl? This admittedly is a very old debt of mine from years and years back at an old address..how they got my new address im not sure maybe when i was trying to get credit recently or maybe the (kind..grrr) new occupants gave them it coz they know my new address..it was for an old capital one credit card max £200 limit but my bill so far is £399.59...obv interest etc. My OH does work, so i was wondering if it really went as far as court etc could they make him liable for my old debt and arrest his wages? we are struggling with debt just like everyone else here and in the process of looking into setting up dmp..any advice gratefully received...thankyou ps meant to say they have contacted us within 6 years so cant even go down that route

[jetbags]

Originally Posted by mummyyummy

i have just received a letter from capquest...this is not my first they have sent me and OH loadsa letters coz they have apparantely bought over an old debt of ours...they are constantly phoning us ALL the time..to the extent now that i no longer answer the fon (my caller id fon broke so only have old handset one at the mo) ..anyway this letter today says "investigations have indicated that i am in employment" (well spose i am as a stay at home mum!!) and they are taking me to court and they will make an attachment of earnings order!! as part of this order they will require to know lots of details blah..blah..blah..if i dont comply a judge may decide to commit me to prison....so its in my interests to ring their office on 0870 084 3516 to discuss settlement...our pre-litigation team are on hand to asist you...not even signed by a person, just litigation executive on behalf of capquest..any ideas wot to do now? should i continue ignoring these ppl? This admittedly is a very old debt of mine from years and years back at an old address..how they got my new address im not sure maybe when i was trying to get credit recently or maybe the (kind..grrr) new occupants gave them it coz they know my new address..it was for an old capital one credit card max £200 limit but my bill so far is £399.59...obv interest etc. My OH does work, so i was wondering if it really went as far as court etc could they make him liable for my old debt and arrest his wages? we are struggling with debt just like everyone else here and in the process of looking into setting up dmp..any advice gratefully received...thankyou ps meant to say they have contacted us within 6 years so cant even go down that route

As a seasoned warrior against Capquest it never ceases to astound me as to how many people they affect on a daily basis.
The up and down of the problem is this.... You have got to legally make them go away, there are countless templated letters for this purpose, both on here, on Grumbletext and the best one of all is The consumer action group.
Here you will find an army of people,some seasoned campaigners and other truly fantastic in their field of consumer law.

Capquest are currently under investigation from several angles, more recently the Office of Fair Trading,with the newly empowered Financial Ombudsman running a close second in line.
If Capquest call you, put the phone down and do not speak a word to them, if it really is important then they will write, this incidentally adds to your paper trail of proof when you sue them for Harrasment.
This is one of the lowest of the low companies in the UK. Treat them with the distain they deserve.

Jetbags

[smashedbooboo]

Hi mummy, Your cap1 card. If the debt now stands at more than the 200 limit then i would guess there are late payment charges on it. Have you checked you statements. Claim these back. Send them a letter requesting (The DCA) a true copy of your credit agreement. I did this with capquest and they returned it back to cap1. I am now in the process of reclaiming all my charges. And also Dealornodeal. Do the same with your sons DCAs. No CCA then they cant persue him for debt. It sounds like it is statute barred. Dont ring them. Always write to them. If they continue to ring you tell them you will only communicate in writing. And then report them to the relevant authorities

[toofygap]

ive been contacted by capquest also about an outstanding halifax debt (yes I know that it is owed and all intentions of paying it back). When they called They wanted to know everything about me down to my inside leg measurment and shoe size. I explained and told them that I am awaiting for some monies and this would be paid back in full within a few weeks I was immediatly passed over to a manager who proceeded to call me a liar and that I had no intentions of this they wanted my solicitors name tel numbers etc I advised that I am paying this in full but he just carried on that if I didnt pay within x time that this or that would happen and demanded I pay them now a holding figure which I refused. The more I tried to convince the prize nana (being polite) the money is to be repaid the more he got pushy and demanded a date he told me he would call everyday "charaded as courtesy calls" until a payment was made. I informed them that this was harrassment and was accused of being rude and refusing to pay for my debt. needless to say I am not in now until the money hits my account and will pay this debt.

Funnily wnough I have another debt with anothe dca and when I informed them that it is to paid in full shortly they were very polite and duly noted the account I havnt heard from them at all

[deanstarr3]

3 days ago I had an answerphone message from a company called capquest, never heard of them before. Yesterday they called again and this time I answered. The man informed me he had sent a letter to my address chasing a debt on behalf of his client. I asked him who capquest were and who his client was and he wouldnt give me any information then he hung up.

This morning I recieve a letter from capquest to a previous address where my grandparents now live. They are both 80 and called me fearing I owed money and stated that the letter explained that debt collection people would come round if the debt was not paid. They told me it was for £240 for alliance and leicester. I closed my only account with alliance and leicester 4 years ago with no money outstanding.

Absolutely furious at the thought that these muppets might knock on my grandparents door to claim money that does not exist I called the capquest number in a rage. The lady was very polite and explained that she was working in fleet. I gave her a false name so that I could speak to her supervisor. He then told me he was in glasgow.....I battered him with questions and he kept his cool but insisted that capquest was not a scam. He stated that he had an old address for me and that they had tracked me to my most recent one.

I told him to get alliance and leicester to confirm any debts in writing or else I would look forward to meeting them in court. He then tried to suggest that somewone had run up the debt using my identity and tried all sorts of little tricks to justify the debt. I told him he was terorrising my grandparents with these threatening letters but he said he will continue to chase the debt regardless. I wished him good luck with the scam and told him to give me a call only if he fancies trying to collect the debt in person!! They will ned to try alot harder if he they think they are getting their hands on my money that easily. Disgusting, vile people.

[RAS]

Dean

Crapquest are well known on here. They are licenced debt collectors.

They may have another debtor with your name. You may find that somehow you had a very small unknown DD going out of the account (typically an insurance policy accidently agreed to when buying something) and the account then wracked up charges.

Talking to debt collectors is never a good idea; you have no proof of what you said or they said so you cannot make the appropriate complaints; they are as you discovered often bullies; and they can lie or distort the legal situation. I am never sure if the ID fraud suggestion is an excuse for the wrong contact or intended to frighten the debtor into thinking that there will be police involvement if they refuse to pay.

I suggest you start with the following:

1. Get your credit records to check that this account IS closed.
2. Tell your grandparents that you are sorting it. Above all, that legally no debt collector can come to their house. IF one ever did, the police would be happy to remove them.
3. Crapquest will probably follow up the letter. If they do this shortly, ask your GP's to forward this on to you unopened. That will give you much more idea what it is about and we can help you more effectively.
4. If this continues, consider paying to have any mail addressed to you at your Gp's redirected.

[shaztra]

I have received a letter fron capquest saying they are chasing a debt for over £8,000 for an outstanding american express credit card debt. I HAVE NO DEBTS I HAVE NEVER HAD AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD is this a scam has someone used my id should i phone them HELP what should i do?????

[Brian1966]

I received 2 letters in the post this morning, same postal return address.
One from Crapquest and one from Abbey on identical notepaper just a poorly copied abbey/santander logo on top.
They claim I owe £445 but I have never had any dealings with Abbey in the past and owe nothing.
Was recently approved for a Santander credit card at the same address used in these dodgy letters.
Just mailed then telling them that the letters will be forwarded to trading standards and to delete my info from their systems.
Will await the outcome.