Ultimate Credit/Zin Recoveries

Mrs.O_3

Hi All, newbie alert!! I've been lurking for some time and been dying to post but had some problems with my account. So, out with the old, in with the new - today I set up a new account and here I am!!

Hello! :wave:

Wondering if anyone might have any experience of Ultimate Credit Services or Zinc Recoveries?

For the past 6 months I have been paying Ultimate Credit £40 a month towards a £1100 debt and all has been fine. Until a week or so ago, when I received a phone call from Zinc Recoveries to tell me that they couldn't find a record of any payments from me. I told them I pay Ultimate for that particular debt and they said 'Oh yes, we used to be Ultimate' Then they asked me to send them my bank statements as proof of payment and change the bank account that my s/o goes in to.

I was a bit sceptical because I've previously had a random debt recovery company claiming that I owe the debt to them and after a bit of investigation I discovered that they were just poaching for business.

I've tried to do the same but can't find much info on either company.

So, I asked Zinc to put it all in writing and I got a very brief letter asking for my statements and saying 'We confirm that we have changed company names' (no reference to what they had changed from).

Now they are chasing me on a twice weekly basis for my statements.

Any advise??

Thanks!! :kisses3:

DarkConvict

They have a requirement under OFT guidelines and 'common sense' to keep track of debts they are managing even if the company changes names, they must continue to hold the data about the debt and payments made.

Communication
2.1 It is unfair to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear,
inaccurate or misleading manner.
2.2 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:
e. failing to provide debtors or creditors with information on status
of debts, for example, not providing requested balance statements when
reasonably requested

Physical/psychological harassment
2.5 Putting pressure on debtors or third parties is considered to be oppressive.
2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:
d. not ensuring that an adequate history of the debt is passed on as
appropriate resulting in repetitive and/or frequent contact by different
parties

I can't see why they want your bank statements. I believe I am correct in saying you do not have to provide them with any details including statement and are only required to produce them at the request of the court.

If they have 'lost track' of the debt and are unsure about how much is paid and thus unable to provide an accurate statement, it maybe worth considering raising a complaint with the company.


Data Register of Data Controllers (Those who are responsible for holding data according to DPA)
http://www.ico.gov.uk/tools_and_resources/register_of_datacontrollers.aspx

Ultimate Credit Entry

Registration Number: Z8762392

Date Registered: 22 September 2004 Registration Expires: 21 September 2010

Data Controller: ULTIMATE CREDIT SERVICES LTD

Address:
ULTIMATE HOUSE
106-110 HOPE STREET
GLASGOW
G2 6PH

Zinc Recoveries

No Records Found

christineedge

Does anyone know if this company is real? My partner has had a letter from them today and although he does owe agencies elsewhere he has no idea what this debt is for.

It is suspicious because there are spelling mistakes on the letter and it just says to make payment by cheque to 'Zinc Recoveries' at the address below. The client is listed as MEM Consumer Finance (who are legitimate) but we've had no dealings with them in the past.

Thanks

DarkConvict

Ring consumer direct, and maybe OFT. Zinc is not listed as a data controller so I have a feeling this maybe an unregulated DCA and hence is acting illegally. Those two government organisations might be able to shed some light on them, but for now i would not trust Zinc at all.

If they continue to send letters, send them the prove it letter - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11570893&postcount=2

I still wouldn't give them any money though because they just do not seem legitimate.

christineedge

Thanks I agree with you there's nothing about the letter that says it's professional either. Spelling mistakes and the letter doesn't even look genuine. I will ring these two numbers tomorrow and see if they know who these 'Zinc' lot are.

Thanks!!

DarkConvict

No problem, let us know what they have to say if you get though. They may be unaware of it so might take sometime to give a decent reply.

christineedge

No reply as of today. Or any other letters chasing the debt up. I think it's bang out of order that they suddenly decide they'll write to people with other debt and try to get money out of them. I wonder how many people have fallen for this and actually paid!

As for other debt collection agencies I must say my experiences have been mixed. Some of them are absolutely incompetent whereas others are very efficient and helpful

rabbit80

christineedge wrote: »

No reply as of today. Or any other letters chasing the debt up. I think it's bang out of order that they suddenly decide they'll write to people with other debt and try to get money out of them. I wonder how many people have fallen for this and actually paid!

As for other debt collection agencies I must say my experiences have been mixed. Some of them are absolutely incompetent whereas others are very efficient and helpful

I have another thread on my current dealings with Zinc Debt Recoveries.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2302551

I completely agree - their attitude is pretty bad. I have had them hang up on me several times, they attempt to use bullying tactics and they are way off the mark. I will be recording any more phonecalls from them and should they not stop threatening me I shall be contacting the OFT. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they had no authority to recover the debt from you at all!