1st Credit

Nellie321

Hi,
I am a new member and would appreciate some advice.
Yesterday I received a letter from a company claiming to be 1st CREDIT. They informed me that I had a previous agreement with AVCO TRUST, quoted an account number and informed me that I had an outstanding balance of over £1,300. They then offered to settle for £919 if I cleared the outstanding amount within 7 days.
Although touched by their kind offer I was very surprised as I have never heard of either company and certainly do not owe anyone £1,300, £900 or whatever.
I telephoned 1st credit and spoke with GRAHAM M in an effort to clear up this case of mistaken identity. Graham attempted to elicit personal information from me before all but calling me a liar, stating they get thousands of such claims. He flatly refused to record my report or to progress it any further and hung up.
I am obviously annoyed by Graham's extremely unprofessional behaviour but would also appreciate any advice on what - if anything - I should do about this claim.
Thanks in advance

fermi

Adapt the letter below and send to 1st Credit.

Don't talk to these people on the phone. They will lie and bully.

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

Deep_In_Debt

Don't speak to these I]insert expletive here[/I again and send the letter that fermi has suggested above.

They are probably "fishing" which they are not allowed to do. They obviously have a debt and can't trace the owner so they are sending letters to people with the same or similar name in the hope that someone will ring up that they can bully into paying. I think 1st Credit have already had their wrists slapped for this practice.

Send the letter and sit tight and see what happens next. If you hear anything further, then post back.

And BTW, 1st Credit are the liars, many of us including myself, have had or are having dealings with them -I've had some quite comical stuff spouted at me by them!

Unfortunately, I live near them but please do not hold that against me. I was here first anyway!

Deep_In_Debt

Oh, and send the letter recorded delivery so that you have proof that they have received it.

Nellie321

Thanks very much for your help and I will certainly be able to come up with a few suitable expetives to describe this lot1

RAS

And print your name, do not sign.