S.R.J Debt Recoveries?

LittleMissSee

Hello,
I'm looking for a bit of advice please.......
I received a letter from SRJ Debt Recoveries saying that as I hadn't responded to previous correspondence, they had performed a trace on me and found me at this address and to contact them. As I am not behind on any payments, I called to find out who was looking for me.
I was told it was regarding a Tiscalli account that is $(no pound sign) 45 outstanding for an address I used to live in.
Basically I had an internet account with them, and when me and my ex split up in 2006, I moved out. The account was apparently cancelled in 2008?
I have no idea what they are talking about, as it was my exes but in my name. I have spoken to him, and he said it's nothing to do with him!
I know it's only $45, but I don't see why I should pay for internet I have never used! Plus how could it have been cancelled in 2008? Surely if the account is in my name, as they are saying, it would have to be me that cancelled it?
I have received a letter today which is a Pending Litigation Proceedings. I don't want to have a CCJ or people turn up at my house.
What should I do?

MrsTinks

Send them the "prove it" letter - if the account wasn't in your name then they can whistle for it. Also if they are stating the account is for 2 year after you left the premises it's doubly nothing to do with you

MrsTinks

Ah sorry so basically it was in your name - initially I read it as being in HIS name not yours. If it was your name then the debt would be yours - it was your responcibility to cancel it and therefor you will probably find that you are responcible for the debt. You can try to "prove it" but be prepared that they might well be able to.
I'd pay it if it were me...

PNPSUKNET

they will be able to prove by the phone number it was on, was it in yours or ex name?

LittleMissSee

It was in my name, but I am pretty sure I cancelled it. The debt is 4 years old?

Do you think I should send them a letter asking for them to prove the debt?

They have now sent me a letter threatening litigation?

expectingstandards

Hi Little Miss See.

I think the "prove it" letter should be used here Little Miss See. Even if they can prove it, at least you can be put at rest that you do owe the debt and it's not a mistake.

They are obliged to provide the detail that you are asking for.

My advise is to try and get Tiscali to pull the account out of SRJ and back in-house and deal with it themselves. If you feel that you aren't getting the explanation you need to understand whether this debt is yours or not, then it's not really fair on you and that's a matter for the OFT.

I would write a letter to SRJ saying prove it. I would also send a copy of this letter to Tiscali. The best thing that can happen for you is Tiscali stop SRJ dealing with this alleged debt any further and you get the information you need to fairly and clearly explain whether this debt is genuine or a mistake like it seems has happened in other cases.

Hope this helps,
Let us know how you get on.

LittleMissSee

Thank you for your help. I will send them both a letter and see what happens.

expectingstandards

Hi Little Miss See

It is important that as many people that have been treated unfairly by SRJ Debt Recoveries to raise their concerns to ensure that a full and thorough investigation takes place.

I highly recommend that you (and any others reading that are having trouble in this way with SRJ Debt Recoveries) to contact Surrey Trading Standards on 01372 371 741.

Please do this. The more complaints, the clearer it is there is a problem here.

Thanks

imi_m

Please try not to worry about this as I had exactly the same happen to me!! Firstly was a letter of trace confirmation from SRJ and then a letter demanding payment of £150 in regard to an account with Tiscali. After phoning these arrogant idiots (SRJ) I demanded that they must show me in-depth account details which, funnily enough, they were unable to provide. I wrote 2 letters, one to them and the other to Tiscali saying that unless they can prove I owe this money then I would not be paying anything. I received a letter today from the Customer Management Team at Talk Talk (previously Tiscali) and they sort of gave an explanation of dates and payments, but I was not going give up without a fight!! I would like to point out that they had reduced the debt from £150 that SRJ said I owed, down to £42. I phoned Talk Talk (if you do phone them remember to use the SAY NO TO 0870 website otherwise the call will cost you a fortune). I was asking questions such as why did I not receive any correspondence stating that I still owed money - the reason is they did not take a forwarding address from me. Anyway, I continued to rant on about how awful SRJ are and that there are many other cases regarding debts with Tiscali and SRJ on the Martin Lewis website, it was then he confirmed that the debt had now been cleared and I would not receive anymore letters again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These people are absolute morons and I think everybody should boycott Talk Talk so they go out of business - that would teach them a lesson!!