A true debt - or just fishing??

toonarmy08

Hi there,
Received today a letter from westcott credit regarding an old catalogue account that I was sure I cleared, but have no proof either way.
Letter states that if I contact within 10 days, the company is prepared to settle with very favourable terms / reduction in amount.
I felt the letter was all in order until I noticed that it started with "with regard to previous correspondence....." - this is the first time letter I have received.
Can anyone shed any light as to whether this is a legitimate request, or are westcott fishing?
Any help greatly appreciated.:D

allisonj

Hi there, I got my next account referred to wescott after missing one payment with them and they are not a nice bunch to deal with. I agreed that I would pay £25 a month to them to clear the balance which was agreed they then sent me a letter 2 weeks later threatening that they would file a CCJ. I then phoned them and said well I could pay more, this was agreed at £55 a month, I have paid this for the last 3 months and when i phoned yesterday to make my payment for october they asked me to pay £66!! What right do they have when I have made an agreement and stuck to it! Just make sure you dont get swindled in the same way as I have!

MrsTinks

toonarmy08 wrote: »

Hi there,
Received today a letter from westcott credit regarding an old catalogue account that I was sure I cleared, but have no proof either way.
Letter states that if I contact within 10 days, the company is prepared to settle with very favourable terms / reduction in amount.
I felt the letter was all in order until I noticed that it started with "with regard to previous correspondence....." - this is the first time letter I have received.
Can anyone shed any light as to whether this is a legitimate request, or are westcott fishing?
Any help greatly appreciated.:D

Well it's likely that the catalogue passed on a debt - whether THEY passed it on correctly is anyones guess... it's also possible that it's not your debt at all and that they are fishing because you have a similar name to someone else

I'd send them the "prove it my debt" letter before doing anything else More likely than not they can't and they will have to go away

MrsTinks

allisonj wrote: »

Hi there, I got my next account referred to wescott after missing one payment with them and they are not a nice bunch to deal with. I agreed that I would pay £25 a month to them to clear the balance which was agreed they then sent me a letter 2 weeks later threatening that they would file a CCJ. I then phoned them and said well I could pay more, this was agreed at £55 a month, I have paid this for the last 3 months and when i phoned yesterday to make my payment for october they asked me to pay £66!! What right do they have when I have made an agreement and stuck to it! Just make sure you dont get swindled in the same way as I have!

Same thing... ask for the Consumer Credit Agreement and stop paying them until they provide it. They will threaten CCJs but chances of them following through are minute. They threaten because people don't know their rights...
There is an official letter round here somewhere and I'm sure someone will post a copy of it in a sec (sorry I've lost all my links and letters as changed laptop) Make sure you send it recorded

SunderlandBlackCat

Now now, debts of over £100million aren't just "an old catalogue account" now are they Mike?

Oh you misspelled town in your screen name as well by the way

Seriously though, they are probably fishing.

How old is the debt? If a debt hasn't been acknowledged in any way for 6 years then it will be statute barred & unenforceable so they might be coming up to the 6 years & trying to get you to admit the debt so they can still chase it.

I'd send them a letter denying all knowledge of the debt in the 1st instance.

If they reply & insist that the debt is yours adapt this template letter & send it back

June 28, 2006


The Loan Company
Company House,
Church Street,
Newtown,
Kent,
R1 7HG

Dear Sir/Madam

Re:− Account/Reference Number 4563210025897412

With reference to the above agreement, we would be grateful if you would send us a copy of this credit agreement.

We understand that under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Sections 77−79), we are entitled to receive a copy of our credit agreement on request. We enclose a payment of £1.00 which represents the fee payable under the Consumer Credit Act.

We understand a copy of our credit agreement should be supplied within 12 working days.

We understand that under the Consumer Credit Act creditors are unable to enforce an agreement if they fail to comply with a request for a copy of the agreement under these sections of the Act.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully
Mr A N Other

Loopy_Girl

Funnily enough I got a letter from them a couple of weeks ago which I was well hacked off with as the alleged debt is in dispute with the original company (the original compnay have no way of proving to me that I owe this money...apparantly I 'must know'. err no) so I merged together a few letters from here about chasing me for a debt and refer it back and if they continue I will take further action etc etc.

Am keen to see what, if any, response I will get. I just wouldn't like them to sneakily lodge a decree as I have just about repaired my credit score after being a very very silly girl when I was in my early 20's ("mortgage? nah, lets buy vodka instead!!!)


Does anyone know if the origianl company can pursue me for the debt as they don't have the proof that I am still due it? A payment book essentially...apparantly they get thrown out after 6 months of storage!!

Thanks...(soory OP for hi-jacking thread with my wee question at the end)