Simply Be/Reliable Collections Fraud Help

Laura_Alice

My problem is a weird one - it started nearly 2 years ago. I received a bill from Simply Be saying I'd ordered goods from them - which I never had. I contacted them and they said contact the police and request a crime number. I was well ahead of them, I already had done this. The goods never came to my home but the name, address and details were mine and Simply Be insisted they'd been delivered and signed for.
I lived with my parents at the time, and since we all work during the day, this signature could not have been from any of us. The suggestion that any of my family had ordered goods in my name and kept it from me, was insulting.

The police gave me a crime number which I reported to Simply Be's fraud department. The following month, I received another bill and a late fee. I phoned again and was told they'd heard nothing about this! I explained it all again and again, gave them the crime number. They noted it down and said they'd look into it. Then, yes, you've guessed it, the following month, I got the same bill and another late fee. I rang them again and was told the same story. Their fraud manager basically accused me of lying and said that they had a signature and that it was mine.

Months later, after countless trips to the police station and many phone calls and letters, I receievd a letter from Reliable Collections demanding money for these mystery goods - which have never materialised. I rang them, with the crime number, and asked to speak to their fraud department - low and behold - it was the same man as at Simply Be. He gave me the same story about the signature - so I asked him to send me a copy of this signature - it never came. I continued to get bills and threatening letters. I wrote and phoned but to no avail. I continued to get letters threatening court action and door step collection to my parental home. Nobody ever offered me any support, the people I spoke to never offered to help or offered me any sign that they believed me. They bascially spoke to me like I was lying and didn't want to pay for goods. It has been such a stressful time.

They then passed on this fake account to Friedrikson International who demanded money from me, or said I'd be taken to court or suffer doorstep collection - after 2 years, I have given in and am now paying more than I can afford for goods which I didn't order or receive.

I have written to both Simply Be and Reliable Collections explaining my disgust and misery and totalling up the stress this has caused me over the past 2 years. I doubt very much it will do anything, I think they just want their money. I feel they are stealing from me.

I have been made to feel like the criminal. Can anyone help?

pendulum

Its unlikely anyone can help you now, after you foolishly paid them. Paying them will be seen as an admission that you owe the money.

You had loads of options if you had not have paid. They were harassing you for a debt that wasn't yours and you can get that stopped.

You should have gone to the CAB for advice or posted here before paying!

Laura_Alice

Yes, I see that now - but after 2 years of going to the police and ringing them etc and having nobody help me - I didn't know what else to do. I had never heard of this company before.

And, just as a matter of interest, what were my 'lots of options'?

stclair

If they claim the parcel was delivered and signed for ask them to provide a POD (proof of delivery) from the carrier there claims department should be able to arrange this for you.

Once you have reviewed the signature etc write to them enclosing a photocopy of your passport or driving license so you can prove to them that you did not sign for the parcel.

sarahg1969

You are paying them for goods you haven't even had, that have nothing to do with you?! If you've got money to burn, you'd have been better spending £25 on a letter from a solicitor, telling them to stop harassing you.

Laura_Alice

stclair wrote: »

If they claim the parcel was delivered and signed for ask them to provide a POD (proof of delivery) from the carrier there claims department should be able to arrange this for you.

Once you have reviewed the signature etc write to them enclosing a photocopy of your passport or driving license so you can prove to them that you did not sign for the parcel.

As you'll see above, I asked for a copy of the signature they claimed to have but I didn't receive this ever. Thanks though.

Laura_Alice

sarahg1969 wrote: »

You are paying them for goods you haven't even had, that have nothing to do with you?! If you've got money to burn, you'd have been better spending £25 on a letter from a solicitor, telling them to stop harassing you.

Of course I don't have money to burn! Who does at this time?! But in all honesty after 2 years of stress and strain and me contacting them, I really didn't know what else to do. I felt utterly alone and un-believed.

hippyadam

If you genuinely didn't order the goods & have been the victim of a fraud i would stop paying, especially if you cannot afford it.

Sit down, and write a concise letter detailing the entire affair, from the initial fraudulent purchase, to reporting it to the old bill, to your dealings with Be & their agents. Be as precise as possible with regard to dates, times, names etc & include photocopies of any relevant documentation.

Simply state that whilst you have made payments towards this purchase it has been under duress & that you still consider the amount to be fraudulent & as such disputed. Advise you will make no more payments until your claim is investigated fully & resolved to both parties satisfaction & that the docs you have previously requested be dispatched.

Also tell them that if they proceed with legal action whilst your concerns are unresolved you will defend & counter claim for the monies previously paid.

Then send copies by recorded delivery to everyone, the directors of the collections agents & BE, to the fraud department & to the general address of both.

But thats just my two pence & i'm a bit of an arsey g*t

Trillionaire

I'm really sorry but I don't believe this is genuine. If it was an OAP who had started to pay, I would understand.

Who, in their right mind would pay a bill they didn't owe, especially if they were strapped for cash? Most people, if they couldn't get it sorted and didn't go to the CAB woould just go to court and tell the judge what has happened and let them prove that they had bought and signed for the stuff.

Also, I think the police would also mention going to the CAB.

It doesn't ring true.

Laura_Alice

Trillionaire wrote: »

I'm really sorry but I don't believe this is genuine. If it was an OAP who had started to pay, I would understand.

Who, in their right mind would pay a bill they didn't owe, especially if they were strapped for cash? Most people, if they couldn't get it sorted and didn't go to the CAB woould just go to court and tell the judge what has happened and let them prove that they had bought and signed for the stuff.

Also, I think the police would also mention going to the CAB.

It doesn't ring true.

There is no need to be rude. That was entirely uncalled for. Why would I lie? Do you work for reliable collections? How rude and completely unhelpful.

Laura_Alice

hippyadam wrote: »

If you genuinely didn't order the goods & have been the victim of a fraud i would stop paying, especially if you cannot afford it.

Sit down, and write a concise letter detailing the entire affair, from the initial fraudulent purchase, to reporting it to the old bill, to your dealings with Be & their agents. Be as precise as possible with regard to dates, times, names etc & include photocopies of any relevant documentation.

Simply state that whilst you have made payments towards this purchase it has been under duress & that you still consider the amount to be fraudulent & as such disputed. Advise you will make no more payments until your claim is investigated fully & resolved to both parties satisfaction & that the docs you have previously requested be dispatched.

Also tell them that if they proceed with legal action whilst your concerns are unresolved you will defend & counter claim for the monies previously paid.

Then send copies by recorded delivery to everyone, the directors of the collections agents & BE, to the fraud department & to the general address of both.

But thats just my two pence & i'm a bit of an arsey g*t

That's the piece of advice I've had yet - thanks so much. :T