Help please 'debt nerds'

Zoot

Well that's what it calls you on the forum home page ;-)

Hello. I'm being chased for a debt by two companies that seem to feature on here quite regularly: Debt Managers Ltd (Edinburgh) and ScotCall.

The debt is for several hundred pounds and is supposedly owed to a city council in Scotland. Presumably it's council tax.

I haven't lived in this city since 1999. And certainly didn't owe the council any council tax when I left there to live in London.

I have heard nothing of this 'debt' until a couple of weeks ago.

Since then I've had two letters from Debt Managers Ltd requesting full immediate payment.

After ignoring them, I've now received a letter from ScotCall. Apparently the 'outstanding debt' has been placed with this bunch of clowns.

They're now demanding full payment. They say they're going to send round a 'field sales representative' for a 'Doorstep Call'.. The usual garbage.

I am 100% sure this debt is bogus.

Is there a letter template I can use to challenge this debt? Does the CCA request letter work for council tax debt?

Is there anything else you can suggest to get rid of these odious turds?

Is this intimidation?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Zoot.

monday_blues

hi there Zoot,

like you i got a letter a few weeks ago from a company saying i owed £65 I phoned them and was horrified when told it was from 2000 for council tax. i have always been on voters roll, always paid council tax, moved house in 2000 and completed necessary paperwork, mail was directed etc etc and had never heard of this debt. I was horrified and initially refused to pay it. Then got a letter saying arrestment of wages would follow. So I phoned the Council office in Scotland and she said they wrote once but sent the debt to a collector in 2000 but they never done anything, so this year they changed debt collector. and because its council tax the 5 year rule where they dcant pursue a debt, doesnt apply. Basically "pay up its not going to disappear". So I had no option, but strongly disagreed and 100% say I done everything correctly. Indeed, I am still within the same council for council tax, so how come they never contacted me. or sent demands etc.

I spoke to someone else about a week later who said they got a bill for £1,500. Same thing.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

Zoot

Gosh, it's probably quite common. It's absolute rubbish though. The only thing I can think of is that when my wife and I left the city in question, the next tenants in our flat failed to register themselves for council tax. I don't know - the amount they claim we owe is equivalent to a full year.

Zoot

the council has never actually got in touch with me directly re: this debt.

GeorgeUK

I would send the prove it letter to them. The would need to supply you with details of the debt even if it was council tax - what period is this debt for etc.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11570893&postcount=3

Zoot

GeorgeUK

Thanks very much indeed for that. I sometimes wonder if these companies just take a punt....surely the Council itself would have been in touch regarding the 'debt' before passing it on to these loathsome creatures.

Z

Stuckinarut

You may only have been issued with 2 letters regarding this debt, I worked with council tax in scotland for 6 years until recently. The problem is once and account is passed to a debt collector the council no longer pursue for it. I would ask them to provide the dates also in which they are charging u for, that way you are able to make sure u actually lived there during this time, and also if u feel you have made payments then you know what period to check your bank statements for.

GeorgeUK

Just try to keep it civil though
With council tax, they are usually pretty harsh - you get one warning then they bring out the big guns.

Council tax in Scotland can be recovered for up to 20 years.

Zoot

Stuckinarut - do you mean ask the Council for dates? Or ask the debt collector to supply dates?

Seems crazy to hear nothing about this from any agency of any kind for 9 years then suddenly - pop - nasty letters pop through the door.

monday_blues

they didnt write to me, for definite. my mail was forwarded via the post office, and I had written and phoned c/tax and given them my new address when I settled my account. But still when I said they hadnt written to me, she said the file said "a letter had been sent" and for this reason they can pursue you and demand payment.

timbim_2

They say a letter had been sent, that doesn't mean that you recieved it. Ask them for proof of delivery, not proof of postage!