Chased By Mckenzie Hall Through Employers.... Opinions and Advice Please

MetalA

This week I recieved an email from a company that I work for a casual labour asking me to ring Blah at Mckenzie Hall and give an M ref number.

I didnt have a clue what this was so I called gave the ref number then the female asked for my address,I said hang on you are trying to contact me I am not giving you my address until I know what its all about. She then said then why call if you are not going to give us the information and hung up on me in a rude manner.

So I called again a wee bit mad spoke to a chap who settled for my DOB, the matter was in reference to an alledged debt to a bank to which a last payment was made in the the year 2000 I stated that I didnt owe the money etc and that due to the time scale it would be statuted barred. At this the male advisor went right on one being very rude he said it defaulted in 2006 (6 years after the alledged last payment?) so would not be statuted barred until 2012 I again stated I did not owe the money, he simply then stated you have a moral obligation to pay your creditors instead of running to which again I stated I do not owe money to the alledged. He then said I have recorded this call (whoopi do I thought and so what.....) and that I had tied myself up in knots by stating its statuted barred, he then rattled of the company that I work for their address and location that I work and ended by saying we will start legal action and hung up.

What really insensed me is firstly this debt I know nothing about it at all and its nearly 9 years old, secondly they went through a company I work for !!!!!! and finally the attitude of these mugs which I assure you would be very different if face to face!

I am not paying money just because a mickey mouse company demands a sum I mean who would, the amount is around 3k to a bank that as far as I am aware I dont not owe any funds to and do not acknowledge the debt.

What action would be advisable next? Thanks in advance.

ifonlyitwaseasier

you might be better off asking on the debt free board, they have a lot of experience dealing with Mackenzie hall and a few letters you can reel off to them, inc a statute barred one :-D

good luck

Poppy9

If you know you don't have any outstanding money owing to a bank then you don't need to do anything.

peachyprice

Certainly sounds like fishing, they've got a list of contact details for everyone with your name and are contacting all of you to reach the one who owes the money.

Outrageous that they are contacting you through a workplace.

Deep_In_Debt

Yep as peachy has said - sounds like they are "fishing". MH are well known for this and well known for recording calls in which they try and get the "alleged debtor" to admit to the debt by their bullying tactics. I'm aware of their tactics from my ex OH who was unfortunate to come across them. He has quite a common name and they actually admitted that they knew he didn't "own" the said debt, asked if he would pay it anyway which was the only way they would go away, to which he told them to "bog off" (they told him that call was not being recorded - strangely!!!) and they hassled him constantly for 6 months until he threatened them with legal action for their harrassment.

Don't speak to them again. Write to their local Trading Standards office - I think they are based in Scotland. Pop over and see us on the Debt Free Wannabe board and they guys over there will provide you with all the ammo you need to fight these parasites.

alanrp123

My opinion is to just ignore them completely,!!, if push comes to shove, they have to prove that you owe them.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

hmmm the OP seems to know too much about it being statute barred and more concerned with making threats/bad mouthing the company than the actual call

MetalA

Thanks to all that have posted!!!:beer:

Paul_Varjak

I think it is best not to enter into dialogue if you do not owe a debt. Calling them on the phone I think is always a mistake. You should never call any company quoting a reference number if you don't know what the company is!

If they write to you, just write back saying I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT TO YOUR CLIENT, XXXXX BANK. That is usally enough for them to contact the bank saying they cannot collect the debt.

Of course the bank then may pass it onto another debt collector (often without telling you). If you do get communication from another debt collector, simply write to them saying the same. NEVER asked them for more information - that is what they want - a dialogue!

They cannot visit your home (prior to any court action) unless you acknowledge the debt. I would not even mention the words STATUTE BARRED. Cos they could imply you acknowledge there is a debt but you are saying 'but don't chase me for it now'. By simply saying I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT they cannot make any suggestion that you have agreed there is a debt.

I hope that helps!