I'm paying my old Scottish Power debt as agreed -they've sent the debt collectors in!

ruth0220

Hi everyone - I can't even start at the beginning with this because it would go on forever, but basically Scottish Power told me 4 months ago I had an old outstanding debt from an old address for £175, I agreed to pay £25 a month which I have been paying and have all the receipts. Last month (just after I'd made the 3rd payment) I received a threatening letter from CCS. I called both companies and explained the situation, SP told me, "Don't worry - we'll sort it". WELL THEY DIDN'T SORT IT! Because CCS have been writing/texting and calling me, still with their annoying threatening tone. Told SP last wed that I'd received another arsey call from CCS - once again they PROMISED to sort it. Have come home today to another letter from a different debt collection agency! For the same debt :-/ I will not phone Scottish Power any more - I've already forked out over £4 in calls to them for something that they have agreed (twice) is their fault. I have since made my 4th payment because it was due. I'm at my wit's end. The debt collection agencies don't want to know - Scottish Power are doing nothing. Where do I stand with this?? Can I just ignore the debt collectors, carry on paying SP until I've paid the £175 and see what happens? I'm trying to clear my (very bad) credit score and this will just set me back, through absolutely no fault of my own.

Any information or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks, Ruth :mad:

Kavanne

I found this freephone number on their website: 0800 027 7386

It's for sales but just ask to be put through to collections or existing accounts or whoever you dealt with before, you shouldn't have to pay for these phone calls!

ruth0220

Thanks for that - I tried to find a freefone number for them but couldn't. At least my warring with them won't cost me any more money!

kazwookie

You owed £175, so far you have paid £100 = £75 left.

Personally I would hardly thought it worth sending in the debt collectors for £75, as you have already agreed to pay it off, and seem to be doing so.

Ring them

ruth0220

The outstanding amount as far as the debt collectors are concerned is just over £100 - but after they've added all their rubbish, it's £202! I feel like ignoring them, paying the rest of the debt, and letting them take me to court. But I'm worried about my credit score. I can't even bear to call them again for fear I may lose my temper :silenced:

ajaney

Do you have anything in writing from SP agreeing your payment plan?

Could you forward this to the collections company?

GeorgeUK

Don't make any phone calls - make sure all communication is in writing.

I would write to all 3 companies, SP and the 2 DCA's, and point out that you have been in an agreement with SP to make payments for an outstanding debt for which payments have been made in a timely manner with 3 payments remaining. You have not been notified by SP of their intent to pass this debt on to another party and in fact are breaching the Office of Fair Trading debt collection guidelines as both DCA1 and DCA2 are pursuing you for payment of the same debt; especially when SP have confirmed to you on two seperate occasions that they will be dealing with the matter.

Source: Office of Fair Trading
Debt collection guidance
Final guidance on unfair business practices
July 2003 (updated December 2006)

Physical/psychological harassment
2.6
c. using more than one debt collection business at the same time resulting in repetitive and/or frequent contact by different parties
e. not informing the debtor when their case has been passed on to a different debt collector

I would also state in your letter your intent to continue paying the remaining monthly payments to SP unless they instruct you to the contrary

ebsay2000

I've got debt collectors chasing me for £23.50!!

I thought i had a 1 month free trial with Demon dial up internet access!

After a week i checked my phone providers bill and found i owed £27!!
I'd been charged for each time i was online.

I immediately emailed Demon an angry letter and cancelled the so called 'free trial'!

Unfortunately i deleted their emailed cancellation reply................
I ended up paying the £27 pounds call charges!

Then 2 months later i get a letter from Demon demanding £11.50 x 2 for two months internet access.

I phoned them and re cancelled the acount............they denied their was even such a thing as a months free trial offer.........although i'd found it via a google seach!!

Anyway as i didnt have £23.50 to spare ive now got First Credit chasing after me for payment!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

So it just goes to show Debt Collection Agencys will pursue you , for even 'small' amounts!!!

GeorgeUK

What email do you use ebsay? If it is outlook or similar, the emails may be recoverable.

ruth0220

Thank you George. I have already decided that from now on I'll write and keep copies of everything - thanks for the info :-)

ebsay2000

My email was via Talk21 from BT, now operated by yahoo.

So its gone forever!

Who ever received my angry email at incurring dial up 5p a minute charges on a free trial.....obviously didnt implement the cancellation, even though they said the had!

The lesson ive learnt is..........neva delete old emails if they relate to cancelling.

Ive now hung onto lovefilm, blockbuster and audio books online cancellation emails.

I'm also being chased by Moorcroft for £40 because i defaulted on my Natwest house contents Insurance payments!

It seems ridiculous being chased for little amounts, when i owe thousands on credit cards!

But these little amounts still amount to more than i can pay at once...........hence they and Demons Ist Credit Collections, are getting the same £1 a month that major Creditors are receiving from my Income Support