Need some info

boogiemaster

My dad was just about to go to bed when he heard someone knocking at his next door neighbour’s door, he heard the man mention his name and he went down stairs to see what he wanted.
Apparently someone had bought a TV and DVD player and made a couple of payments and had given my dad’s address.
The man said the person had only made two payments and hadn’t made any more since! My dad then asked him what this blokes name was and the debt collector said it was either herch hurst or Hirst?
Now the funny thing is this, surely the debt collector would have had the right name? He mentioned this person lived at ovenden and then had given a change of address to my dad’s address.
My dad said this person seemed rather jumpy and wanted to get off in a hurry, I think something is going on that I don’t like.
What do you think of this all?

Also, my dad bought a compressor from this company and he paid cash for it and kept the receipt, a second company provides finance and does all the accounts for the first company.
The first company that he bought the compressor off filled in the warranty for him but lost their receipt for sale of purchase.
He receives a letter from the finance company saying he owes this money and to pay at their office at once, my dad thinks they have made a mistake and ignores the letter.
A second letter has come and the company has passed the debt onto a debt collection agency , my dad phoned the company and told him that he doesn’t owe them any money.
He goes to see the first company he bought the compressor from and tells them about the debt, he says I’m sorry about that and says he found the receipt.
The man said he will ring the finance company up and sort the mistake out, today he receives another letter saying that the bill has jumped up to £600 for solicitors fees etc.
It looks like the man in the first shop forgot to tell the finance company about the receipt, my dad rings them up and tells the finance company about the first company finding the receipt and it was their mistake and not his.
The finance company ring my dad saying sorry about the mistake but he still has to pay for the costs.
I said to my dad it’s the first company’s mistake and not yours so they should pay for their own mistakes.
What do you think?

skintchick

He paid, it's their mistake, your dad owes nothing.

You should write to both companies saying exactly that, enclosing a copy of the receipt, and wait and see.

No court would let them do that so let them take it to court of they wish. I doubt they will.

Xbigman

This should be very simple.

Regarding the compressor. Photocopy the receipt and send it recorded delivery to the finance company showing that cash was paid. Also ask for a copy of any credit agreement they have. They should not have a credit agreement and that should end it. However, if the company that sold the compressor is pulling a fast one or your father signed a warranty that was actually a credit agreement, things could drag on. In any event your dad owes them nothing so any attempt to add costs should be strongly rejected.

As for a possible fraud regarding tv/dvd's. The next time someone calls get something in writing even if only a business card. Then report a possible fraud to the police. I wouldn't worry about this too much though. I suspect it could just be a DC company looking for someone with a similar name.

Get copies of your dads credit files and check them out. It could prove interesting.
Regards



X

MrsTinks

If someone is from a legal debt collection agency then you should be able to check up on them. Get their name, company and if possible any registration numbers and call the company and then the police to verify their identity. If they are a fake then they will leg it unless they are really stupid!
If they are a real debt collector with bailif accreditation or whatever DON'T LET THEM IN YOUR HOUSE - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR! If you let them in of your own freewill then they can take what they want to cover the debts whether or not you are in the right or wrong. They have that legal right. If you do NOT open the door then they have to go through legal hoops to be allowed to gain access to your house with the use of a locksmith or by breaking down your door.

I am sure others here will know the finer details but all in all the rule is DON'T OPEN THE DOOR to bailifs!!

Even if you are proved not to be responcible for the debts then I wouldn't care to think about the hassle you'd have t try and recover your property!