Wescot Credit Services (again!)

adrievdl

I received a letter at the weekend from Wescot Credit Services claiming to act on behalf of BT for a debt of £185. I pay Sky for line rental, broadband and television and am not aware of any agreement with BT.

I phoned Wescot immediately and got through to someone who identified himself as Mr Wescot of Wescot Credit Services (dubious, but thanks to the forum I now know it may not be an outright fraud). He said he would notify BT. I also called BT, who were unable to help me because the BT reference number on Wescot's letter was not recognised.

Based on other postings here on the forum, I decided to put in writing that I am not aware of an outstanding balance. I studied the OFT guidance as well and came up with the following letter, which may help others:

Wescot Credit Services Ltd.
P.O. Box 137
HULL
HU2 8HF

15 February 2010

Sirs

Wescot Debt No: XXXXX Claim: £185.00

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself.

Further to my telephone conversation with your firm on Saturday 13 February 2010, I confirm that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to BT Plc.

BT Plc have confirmed to me today that the client reference number quoted in your letter dated 10 February 2010 is not recognised as either a client reference number or a valid BT telephone number and that it is therefore not possible to verify the existence of any such debt or of any instruction to collect any outstanding balance on the above account.

I am familiar with the ‘Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance’ which states that it is unfair to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear, inaccurate or misleading manner.

I would also point out that the OFT say that under the Guidance that it is unfair falsely to imply or claim authority and to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. If you do not cease 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.

I insist that you do not refer the account to your collections team for further action and that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide by mail at the address below written evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

Yours faithfully

My concern based on other threads, however, is that they only provide a P.O. Box and that I cannot send my letter by registered mail as a result. That means they could just claim never to have received my letter asking for proof, ignore that I responded and continue contacting me for collection. How can I prove that I responded and asked for evidence?

Any advice and/or similar experiences with Wescot?

niccatw

I'm afraid I've no experience with Westcott. Nor can I provide any advice, other than perhaps asking at the post office if there's any way of providing proof where a PO Box is concerned.

Thought I'd bump your post though in case there are others who can help.

hullight

Ask Wescot for a copy bill, they should provide this. The account details/etc. should be on there I think. They should freeze the account while you dispute it.

nandj_2

Hi,
I have no dealings with westcot, but in the past have sent letters by recorded delivery to various DCA's and banks with a PO Box address and they have all been signed for and appeared on the Royal Mail track and trace website with a signature.
With regards to Westcot chasing you for a payment that you no nothing about, don't do Westcots donkey work, it's upto them to prove that you have the debt and not for you to runaround proving otherwise.
Also, add in bold letters at the start of your letter "I do not acknowledge any debt with your company"
Regards
NandJ

WRINKLES

do not send letters to po boxes you have no proof of delivery google wescot this will bring up their postal address send any further letters by recorded delivery