Moorcroft debt recovery

laurat0886

Hi everyone,

Not sure if i've put this thread in the right category? Anyway, my mom got in contact with me last week (she is in Tenerife at the moment) she said a woman called her mobile asking for me, the number is 0161 475 2875 which I have found out is moorcroft debt recovery. My mom gave them our landline and I got to speak to them Thursday night. She said I have a debt of £200.40 with studio cards. I have only ever ordered from them once and I had paid my bill straight away and it was only a small amount, not over £200! This order was placed near christmas 2006 and I moved out the following August 2007. I didn't change my address with studio and I think the new occupants could have placed orders under my account as I didn't recieve any letters off studio or moorcroft between christmas 2006 and august 2007 (when i moved out). If this is the case, have I got a leg to stand on? Moorcroft have told me they cant supply me with any information about the debt I have with studio and have also told me I can't contact Studio! I'm being threatened with court action and CCJ's! Help! I dont know what to do?

Thanks in advance!

Laura

fermi

Moorcroft can't provide any details? But they expect you to pay?

****wits!

It is up to them to prove that the debt is valid and that you owe it. They will try to sidestep that, but that is the bottom line.

Adapt as appropriate.

National Debtline "prove it" letter

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

Primmer

I certainly recommend you adapt and send the letter kindly posted above by fermi.
If they cannot prove the debt and you are not allowed to contact Studio then presumably they think you will just pay up even though you have no knowledge of any debt!
Do not let them get away with trying to scare you into making payment - they have to prove that the debt is due.
Good luck hun

Deep_In_Debt

That's how these people work - they just harrass people until they pay up. I shudder to think how much money they make by using these shoddy tactics but threatening and scaring people into paying for debts that aren't theirs.

As fermi says, the onus is on them to prove that you owe the debt and if they can't prove it - then they can go boil their heads!

laurat0886

Thanks eveyone for your help. I'm going to send that letter first class monday and will let you know if I get a reply! What will I need to do in regards to proving that I didn't order £200 worth of stuff?

10past6

laurat0886 wrote: »

What will I need to do in regards to proving that I didn't order £200 worth of stuff?

Nothing.

Read the letter you're sending.

The onus is on THEM, not you.

Tixy

Deep_In_Debt wrote: »

I shudder to think how much money they make by using these shoddy tactics but threatening and scaring people into paying for debts that aren't theirs.

I bet they make loads, plenty of unenlightened people out there who are so disorganised that they can't remember what credit they have had and get scared by the bully tactics. And I guess the scattergun approach of contacting people with the same name and town must work often enough for the DCAs to make money else they wouldn't do it. I bet they sometimes get 1 debt paid by two different people.

Laura -as others have said fight this. Also as in any situation like this don't talk to them by phone anymore, make all correspondance by letter so you have a paper trail. If they call again just ask them to write to you and hang up.