Fredrickson International & Littlewoods - please help me!

nickis04

Hi, I know there a few threads on Fredrickson and problems people have had with them however I've spent a good hour trying to find someone in my situation and can't so I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me please!!

The first I heard from Fredrickson International was about a year ago, I received a couple of phone calls which generally went along the lines of me answering the phone, them asking me to confirm my name, address etc to which I said i didn't want to until I knew what the phone call was regarding (in these days of scams, fraud etc). They said they couldn't discuss until I confirmed my details and so I ended the call.

I heard nothing then until last month, when they wrote to me at my CURRENT address (before on the phone they said they 'knew i lived at --- anyway' but the address they had was an old university address which i lived in from 2005-2006. Anyway, they said they had tracked down my current address and now wanted 156 pounds that I owed Littlewoods and I have 7 days to pay, and added on court fees etc if I didn't pay. At this point I did some research, and wrote them a letter basically saying I didn't acknowledge the debt and that unless they could prove what I owed and why then it counted as harrassment and I referred to the office of fair trading etc.

I received a reply today saying 'This debt refers to a Littlewoods Extra Account which was assigned to Phoenix Recoveries....the terms of your letter failed to provide us with any evidence that there is a valid dispute relating to this matter and unless you pay within 7 days enforcement action will follow. Please note that all of our actions are compliant with current legislation and regulatory requirements' (i have cut some of their waffle out!).

Now, I think I might have ordered from Littlewoods in the past but I have never ordered big goods or anything on credit and I'm fairly sure I've only ever ordered one thing from them in my life e.g. a jumper or something (I think whatever i ordered to open an account with them i bought and paid for online before I even received it so was not in credit). I have tried to login on the Littlewoods website but they don't recognise my email address or postcode (for the address Fredrickson said they had for me when they first contacted - and so what I assume would be on the Littlewoods account) so I don't know what account I have. I've never been in debt in my life, don't have credit cards and always pay before I receive anything online. It has crossed my mind that as this was a student property I might have received a letter from them and someone else might have used my details. However the debt can't be made up as they had my old address and phone number, but I don't think it belongs to me.

How do I get Fredrickson to show me what they think I owe Littlewoods for, as my last letter had no effect, or do I need to contact Littlewoods? And how do I prove it isn't my debt! It's really starting to get me down. Thanks for any help anyone can give me and sorry for the long post!

Fire_Fox

Sounds like there is the possibility that someone living at your old address got hold of your Littlewoods post and placed orders using your name. You need to ask for a copy of the Consumer Credit Agreement and also a statement of accounts, specifying the items ordered and dates. Use one of the template letters on this site if you haven't already.

stleonardsc

Hi I know P R well they are in the same boat but very loosely as Bryan Carter and Fred International.
They come out of the wood work when and Catalogue companies are involved IE Little woods, Marshall Ward, Empire Stores, etc. Debt Managers seem to be the first port of call.

Knowing of the alleged ruthlessness of the Barclay Brothers the owners of the afore mentioned it,s no wonder that they pursue people with such vigour.
Phoenix are a registered company in Luxembourg ( yes i can hear you gagging now) the have a registered company address in London obtained via companies House but no contact detail.
there is a web page saying thank for your interest and a contact email and note saying Site coming Soon. DO NOT GO NEAR THIS!!.
Please seek CAB advice, do not speak on the phone and take note of all the time they or you contact each other, always in writing please and registerd post.
C

natters_2

it doesn't matter what you tell these people they ignore it and carry on hassling - you need to ask for the CCA that should hopefully stop the threats.

gettingbetter

hi

might help to send the PROVE IT letter

kas xx

1 High Street,
Newtown,
Kent
R21 4RH
October 9, 2007

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

Dear Sir/Madam

Ref: xxxxxxxxxxx

You have contacted us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by ourselves.

We would point out that we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to The Loan Company.

We are 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.

We 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.

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

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

We look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully





Mrs A N Other

would also say dont sign it. get a neighbour or friend to sign ur name in there hand writing
so if a CCA does turn up u will know if its your signature of if they have copied it from a letter
they have been known to do this

kas xx

Merlinexcalibur

How do I get Fredrickson to show me what they think I owe Littlewoods for, as my last letter had no effect, or do I need to contact Littlewoods? And how do I prove it isn't my debt! It's really starting to get me down. Thanks for any help anyone can give me and sorry for the long post!

Look it's really all pretty straight forward. They either prove that you owe this debt or they f-off. Simple. Oh, BTW, it's totally up to you what you do to sort this out for yourself. I have no vested interest in the outcome so makes sod all bones to me.

However, you do nothing then they will pin this debt and pressure you into paying it. I know that is a certainty.

david39

My daughter had exactly the same problem with a Littlewoods alleged debt being chased by a DCA. She had never bought from them nor had she ever had a catalogue.

She sent the usual letter from the website, denying the debt and asking for proof of the debt.
After three weeks, they sent her a copy of a credit agreement in her name, at an address she had left 18 months before the agreement was signed (like yours, a student address - so obviously someone had used her name from correspondence arriving there after she left.)
She had moved 100 miles away from the given address months before the agreement was signed, the marital status was wrong, the signature was nothing like hers, the date of birth was 10 years adrift (she was a mature student, but the date would have been correct if she had been in her late teens) and, the name was mis-spelled - so a pretty poor job at identity theft.

She sent a letter back to the DCA, pointing out the errors (but not correcting them) and she has heard nothing since in three months, so presumably they have given up.

I suggest you use the relevant template letter from this site, giving them 2 weeks to produce the proof or they will be referred to the OFT and await their response. Only deal in writing, do not speak on the telephone, do not engage in conversation with doorstep visitors.

There is plenty of help in the threads in this forum if you dig around.