Red Debt Collection (Lowells) & 3 mobile

GunJack

for dn and anyone else who may need them. The first one was sent after the initial letters arrived from 3 and Lowell......

Dear Sir/Madam

References:
3 Account no: xxxxxxxxxxxx
mobile no: xxxxxxxxxxx
new ref no: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
your ref: xxxxxxxxxxxxx


You have contacted me on 5 Dec 08 regarding the account with the above reference numbers, which you claim is owed by myself.

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to 3G Mobile, Lowell Portfolio1 Ltd or Mackenzie Hall Ltd.

I am familiar with the ‘Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance’ which states that it is unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore, ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above accounts unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours Faithfully

Sent this to MH, copied to Lowell and 3...

GunJack

...and then this one, when they got a fourth company in on the game....


References:
3 Account no: xxxxxxxxxxxx
mobile no: xxxxxxxxxxxx
new ref no: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
MH/Lowell ref: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bcw ref: B9151114


You have contacted me on 12 Jan 2009 regarding an account with the above reference numbers, which you claim is owed by myself.

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to 3G Mobile, Lowell Portfolio1 Ltd, Mackenzie Hall Ltd or buchannan clark + wells


I would draw your attention to my letter dated 8 Dec 2008 to the original three parties concerned, in which I asked for evidence to be provided that I had any liability for the account in question. No such evidence has been forthcoming from any party. The statement contained in your correspondence of, and I quote verbatim:

“Our clients have informed us that they are unaware of any legitimate reason for non-payment of their account and although they would prefer an amicable settlement, will not hesitate to commence Legal Proceedings if necessary.”

does in no way constitute evidence to the existence or legitimacy of said account. In fact, it could be seen as harassment under the OFT guidelines.



I am familiar with the ‘Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance’ which states that it is unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore, ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above accounts unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

If no evidence is provided within 14 days of this letter, I will assume that none of the above-named parties can provide said evidence and assume that this matter is closed and written confirmation of the same will be provided. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully

..and sent this to all four of them.....

dnatsios

lol. I emailed 3 to ask them what this was all about. They called me back today. Thye asked me to confirm my name, postcode, DOB to prove I was me b4 they said anything. OK, did that. Then she said

"We can not discuss this account with u. U need to contact Lowell directly."

!!!!!!? They needed to confirm who I was just to tell me they can't tell me anything? I'll send off the letters tomorrow.

GunJack

dna - go for it !! Use the first one, and see if you get the BCW formal demand in response. (I assume you had letters from 3 and Lowell together, saying MH were the collection agents ??)

dnatsios

Already had the BCW one as well. I didn't need to alter your letter much at all. Same companies. Identical wording on the BCW quote, even same date (Jan 12) that they sent it out. I tried emails first though, but only 3 responded and as previously mentioned that was not all that helpful. So I changed the referal to a previous letter to a referal to previous emails.

I'm not too worried since it is not that big an amount (£27 ish), but I'm certainly not going to hand it over to a bunch of thugs without a fight. Acording to my credit report all my previous accounts with 3G have been settled and I haven't been a customer for over 2 years, with no previous attempts by them to suggest I owe them.

GunJack

best off not e-mailing them, do it all in writing....

BUT seeing as you have, print out and keep copies of those e-mails and also DON'T delete them from your e-mail account oh, and I sent all mine recorded delivery so I could track when they got to the companies concerned.......

Peekay32

Did anyone notice how this was on Watchdog tonight?

GreyhoundAngel

Peekay32 wrote: »

Did anyone notice how this was on Watchdog tonight?

Yeah, seems pretty topical atm

dnatsios

what did they say on watchdog?

inretro

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/01/the_chase_for_debts_not_always.html

At the bottom, there's a telephone number provided to speak to Lowell directly...

:beer: