SRJ Debt Recoveries - trace letter ?

littleblue735

Any advice welcome !!
Today I received a Trace Confirmation letter from a company called SRJ Debt Recoveries, addressed to me but sent to my old address. Luckily the new owner passed it on to me.

I called and they say it relates to an outstanding AOL bill dating back 3 years to my previous address. I explained that I have no knowledge of this bill and have never received any request from AOL to pay. I always redirect my mail for six months and AOL have never contacted me regarding this amount. I had an AOL account several years ago but cancelled when I moved house. (I have no copies of the emails or phone calls unfortunatly )

When I asked for proof of the bill, they said its not up to them to prove it and I should pay up or they will take it further.
Will my credit record be affected now ?
Should I contact AOL to ask for proof ?? If I owe money, surely they should have contacted me before now ?

Please help, I'm so worried !!
LB

Beencounting

Hi

Afraid I'm no expert in this area, but having read other similar stories to this on the forum, I think if you request proof of the debt (there's a letter template somewhere on here), then they have to provide the information you request within about two weeks.

Hopefully someone will be along soon to give you clearer advice than I've managed, or you could look back over the D-F wannabe forum over the last few days for posts similar to yours.

Sorry I can't help further.

Been

property.advert

Yeah, anyone requesting money for anything must be able to prove that you are liable. The onus is not on you to prove that you are not.

thefoolonthehill

Hi LB

Write to SRJ and get them to prove it. Dont speak to them on the phone DCA's are not good to speak to and will tell you all sorts of turkish delight to try get you to pay a debt. They dont care whether its yours or not. They have bought a debt and they want to amke money on it.

Have a search about on here for the prove it letter. Remember it is up to THEM not YOU to prove the debt is yours.

There is always the chance they will enter a default but if you dispute this and they cannot prove the debt is yours they have to remove the default. check your credit file and if they have entered a default contact experian to advise the debt is in dispute

littleblue735

Have found the template letter on here and will send it off
Many thanks to All
LB

littleblue735

Update - Last night I received a phone message asking me to call them ' urgently '
I did send the template letter as suggested but have not heard from them until last night. I guess I shouldnt call them but what should I do now ? I guess they will keep ringing me until I do speak to them !! But I don't want to worry every time my phone rings !!
I will check my credit file to see if this is on it too.

All advice welcome thanks

DarkConvict

They shouldn't phone you if you request them not to. Follow the advice in this post to have your number removed from their system if it continues. Fearing to answer the phone is physically harassment.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11571485&postcount=4