HELP - Con men are taking me to court for £3,000

itsjustjoe2

Please help me if you can.

Some time ago I signed an agreement to "register" for a place on a training course (with TCA Financial). I was told that I was just reserving a place for the following year in case the price went up and was under no obligation to pay.

Then I starting reading about the company online and TCA Futures a sister company had entered into liquidation owing nearly £1 million and lots of people never receiving the training they paid for. I was never sent any info on starting the training and all just started to get debt collection letters.

The company chasing me had never filed a tax return at companies house and had been changing its registered address several times in just a few months (a sign of trouble). I spoke to the insolvency practitioner for TCA Futures and realised while it may not be technically illegal it was all a big con to make money with no real intention of providing any training.

Next thing the debt has been assigned to "Global Financial Markets Limited" which was set up a few months ago. TCA Financial still never having filed a tax return had now filed a GAZ1 to wind the company up which they cannot legally do as you can only do this if the company has not traded or transferred assets in the preceeding 12 months.

Now I have receiving a court summons from Global Financial Markets Limited.

If anyone can advise me where I stand please help. I obviously do not want to have a CCJ but I'm not about to write a blank cheque for nothing in return.

If anyone else has been affected by this then please contact me, send me a private message
Blog
Google site

McKneff

You signed an agreement to register - did you keep a copy of this.
What you were told isnt relevant and wouldnt stand up in court.

As far as i know The debt collectors wouldnt send you a court summons, the court themselves would send you this. Can you upload a picture of this and your signed agreement on here.

Miss-Moneypenny_7

Hi, I can't give more advice but can clarify the details about the company being struck off.

The Gaz1 you refer to is the publication of the notice to strike a company off in the London Gazette. Bascially the company files a form 652a with a cheque for £10 which starts the procedure. Companies House publish details of this in the Gazette and subject to there being no resistance the company would be struck off after a few months.

They can submit a 652a as long as they have not changed their name or traded within the last 3 months, disposed of any property or rights within the last 3 months or carried out activity other than for the purpose of closing down the company (again within the last 3 months).

To keep the company active they would have had to file annual returns (not tax returns) and an annual set of accounts (whether dormant or active).

It does sound a tad dodgy but doesn't sound like they have done anything illegal. they have most likely sold the debt on but could be involved with Global Financial Markets Limited, especially if this is something they practised at.

Have you got a copy of the agreement you signed? I think the first step should be to write to Global Financial Markets Limited with the "prove it" letter, stating you do not acknowledge the debt and asking them to provide a signed copy of the agreement.

I will try and find you a link to the templates in a second.

Hope you get this sorted out, but definately check out the court order etc and make sure it is official (contact the issuing court), as could be a con or scare tactics.

FraudBuster

One of BIS’s objectives is to “Deliver free and fair markets …ensuring markets work to the benefit of business, investors, employees and consumers, and for law enforcement to deter fraud”. This includes dealing with misconduct or unscrupulous practices, whether or not this amounts to fraud.
CIB contributes to this objective by exercising the powers to investigate companies under the Companies Acts.
When we receive information about the behaviour of a company we will assess that information to see whether or not it would be appropriate for us to attend on that company and require it to provide us with documents and information. This allows us to come to a view as to whether further action, and if so what action, is required in the wider public interest.
Our approach is to take a proportionate and realistic view of issues brought to our attention, and to investigate aspects of corporate behaviour which might harm both the business community and the public generally.

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/cib/index.htm

Miss-Moneypenny_7

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=getting_a_copy_of_your_credit_agreement_and_account_details

itsjustjoe2

McKneff wrote: »

You signed an agreement to register - did you keep a copy of this.
What you were told isnt relevant and wouldnt stand up in court.

As far as i know The debt collectors wouldnt send you a court summons, the court themselves would send you this. Can you upload a picture of this and your signed agreement on here.

Here is a copy of the aggrement and you are correct what I was sent was a claim form by Liverpool County Court to which I must accept I owe the money or defend against it.

I cannot believe with all the consumer protection laws in this country that a company can get £3,000 for doing absolutely nothing. It is causing sleepless nights at the thought of having to pay or getting a CCJ.

Link to the agreement
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/14981770/mvrr46e7xj7yhl9pdb2

itsjustjoe2

Got a solicitor on my side now... looks like they don't stand much of a chance, but its still causing a lot of stress! I won't be happy until its over! Thanks to everyone for their wishes, PM's and advice! .

dancingfairy

I would try trading standards - both in your area and in the area the company is based as not sure which one you would need - no doubt they are aware of this but should be informed anyway and may be able to advise you.
df

bank_of_slate

Hi just joe, it might be an idea not to put your mobile telephone number on a public forum
I would edit the post and remove it if I were you.
People can still PM you.
...Linda xx

itsjustjoe2

Thanks very much, I didn't know I could still edit after all this time!.

dancingfairy

sadly it does look like you signed the agreement to pay them rather than reserving a place - from what I can see - I have only skimmed parts of it but it does look like you actually signed up - the fact that they have not provided you with any sort of service is obviously the point. In future though I would be wary of what you are signing.
Good luck sorting it out.
df