Problem with Equita - please advise!

Glitterari

As some of already know, i have stepped in to help my mum out with her finances. One of her debts was unpaid council tax from last year, which had been passed over to Equita.

Basically, Mum owed approx £300 for this debt. It got to the stage where they kept threatening to send the bailiffs around, etc. Because Mum works, if the bailiff ever came over she wasn't in. About 3 or 4 weeks ago they sent her a letter saying that as she still hasn't paid they recommend she is sent to prison.

I saw said letter, phoned up and paid the amount on the credit card there and then. Before I paid I asked them if this would be the end of it and this would be satisfied, etc and we wouldn't hear any more from them and the person who let me pay this said this was true. They whacked on about £15 for paying by credit card, but I paid it anyway.

Since then Mum has still had cards put through the door from the bailiff, she has called him several times and told him it's been paid and he's said he needs to check at the office, blah blah. Now she has received another note from him threatening to remove goods and she called and said why and he says she owes another £200 in charges, even though this should have been all satisfied now.


Mum has given me the number and ref to call him and ask him why he is still hassling for the money (the £300 has definitely been taken from my credit card so it's not that the money failed to go through) - but before I call - is there anything I should be doing, saying, etc? I was thinking maybe asking for an invoice or a list of what's owed?

I really don't have a clue guys, so please let me know what I should be doing!

C xxxxx

rog2

You should go back to the credit card company - the payment may be covered by their insurance, and possibly legal cover - at the very least, they can confirm when, and into which account it was paid.

Glitterari

thanks but there must be more to it than this?

Can they make £200 in charges to collect a debt of less than £300?!

I'm at work and feel like crying my heart out because I don't know what to do and it's stressing me out

rog2

I honestly understand how you feel, but please take a couple of minutes to phone the CC company - you will feel better, if only that you know, and can prove in a court of law, that the payment has been made.
The £200 'charge' is disgusting and, in my opinion, a try-on.
If you get the proof of payment, then the law has to be on your side. Speak to CAB. I think that you should get compensation at least. It may also be that this 'firm' is committing a criminal offence, such as harrassment.
Do not let your mum speak to them by phone, ask them to communicate only in writing, and above all tell your mum NOT TO LET THEM INTO HER HOUSE.

bargainbetty

Hiya,

if your mum has given you the refs, write a letter in her name. Include a copy of the debt statement that you paid (including the £15 CC fee), and mention that your credit card firm has confirmed the payment was made.

Tell them politely that the debt has therefore been settled with full and final payment according to their own statement.

Inform them that any further attempt to extract money in settlement of an unproven further debt or undisclosed charges, especially by means of threats and intimidation, will be considered harrassment and will be reported to the police accordingly. Tell them that the next time one of their baliffs attempts to gain access to her property, the police will be summoned without warning and he may be subject to arrest for trespass, extortion using intimidation and ABH (which now includes all forms of psychological harrassment).

Any further communications must be in writing only.

Can't promise anything, but it might get them off your back. Use some of the language I have used (I work for lawyers) and it may look like she has sought legal advice!

Hope this helps x

Dr.Shoe_2

The £200 charge is almost certainly for the visits.

Glitterari

But they have only visited and left a card once

Can does one visit really cost £200?!

Glitterari

Any other advice peeps?

CLAPTON

I can't remember the full background here, but have you already spoken to the council? They tend to be much more reasonable than debt recovery agencies.
Councils also tend to follow all the guidelines about reasonable treatment and their bailiffs have to be approved and licenced for the recovery of council tax.
In any event insist on a proper statement of fees etc before paying any more.

Glitterari

The money owed to the council has been paid now - the £300 on my credit card.

The £200 is bailiff charges apparently - although Equita are saying that it's now nothing to do with them and to deal with the bailiff direct.

sueshells

I agree that you should speak to the Council concerned. Maybe even write to them and send a copy to the Leader of the Council and your Local Councillor. Even though the debt which is now allegedly owed is to Equita, rather than the Council, it would do no harm to ensure that the Council knows what is going on and that you are unhappy with the DCA. Tell Equita that you have complained to the Council and send them a copy of the letter - just possibly they value their contract enough to back off or reduce their charges?? The Council must, surely, have some responsibility to ensure that any debts are collected in a reasonable manner. If Equita have been sending bailiffs round after the debt has been paid then surely that is their error and your mum shouldn't have to pay for the visits which they have made. Do you know how much they are charging for each visit - is the £200 for one visit? Maybe you could ask them for a staement of their charges and costs and ask them to ensure that they include all the dates.

I know that it can be difficult to fight these people but try not to give in until you get a satisfactory outcome.

Good Luck