We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Help! I just don't know what to do!
BARGAINHUNTER!
Posts: 848 Forumite
Hi
I require some urgent help with a problem debt that I have with the mobile phone company 3.
i had a 12 month mobile phone contract with 3. The 12 month contract ended, but I continued to use my phone for a couple of months past this date whilst i sorted out a new contract. I got myself a new contract and wrote a letter to 3 customer services on 18 December 2005 informing them that I was cancelling my mobile phone contract as I had taken out a new one. I cancelled my direct debit from February 2006, so the last payment they were able to take was January 2006 (1 months notice as per contract). i did not get a reply and assumed everything was ok.
I kept on receiving bills, so I phoned them to tell them that the contract was cancelled. I got through to a call centre in India and the guy I spoke to just kept repeating that the contract was not cancelled. I ended the call saying that we were just going round in circles and that I would write to 3 customer services again. I wrote to them again on 2 April 2006, enclosing a copy of my first letter and asking them to cancel the bills. Yet again i did not receive any response!
I then received a letter from a debt collection agency (Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd) on 2 June 2006. It said that it was a notice of intended litigation, and that I owed 3 £129! it was signed by A J Martin (debt recovery manager). I wrote directly to Mr Martin, but again did not receive a reply!
I then received a letter on 15 June 2006. It was another litigation warning letter, this time from a company called Midas Legal Services. it was signed by Mr M Dobson (solicitor). I wrote back to Mr Dobson, enclosing copies of all my correspondance, but this time I faxed the letter over, so I has proof that it had gone through. I phoned Midas Litigation Services and they confirmed that they had received my fax, and were liasing with 3 on the matter. Surprise surprise i did not receive a reply!!!
I was then absolutely flabogasted to received ANOTHER letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd (A J Martin Debt recovery manager) on 17 July 2006!!! It was an exact copy of the letter that I received from them on 2 June 2006!!! I was now really mad, and wrote another stinking letter to Mr Martin, enclosing copies of all my correspondance to date ad I faxed this through (all 10 pages!) I threatened to write to the Managing Director of 3 and to see my Citizens Advice Centre about the matter.
I have just got back from holiday today, opened the post to find another letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd dated 25 July 2006. In the letter they say that they have been in contact with 3 who say they have never received any request from me to cancel the account (!!!!!) They say that 3 have told them that I may contact them to cancel the contract by giving 30 days notice(!!!!!) Apparently, the outstanding balance has been frozen at £129, is correct and is due for payment (!!!!). They say that they have placed my account on hold until 11/8/06. They have asked me to contact their call centre to discuss a repayment proposal that I can afford and maintain(!!!)
Why should I?? I cancelled my contract with 3 in writing, cancelled my standing order, phoned them, sent them a copy of the original letter that I had sent AND sent coppies of all the correspondance to the other various people who contacted me! I no longer have the 3 phone and the phone was disconnected ages ago. In fact, my new contract with O2 expires in December and I will be on the look out for a new 12 month deal. Moorcroft Debt Recovery have started to phone me at work now, as that is the only phone number they have for me. They are hassling me, asking me when I am going to pay! I am at my witts end. i have never been in debt before and this is scaring me. I cannot aford to just pay the debt either or else i would just to make the whole thing go away. I hate speaking to people on the phone as I get flustered, which is why I prefer to write letters.
Im sorry if this is a bit long winded, but I just need some advice as to what to do, as the account was only on hold until today. Luckily, I have a file with all the correspondance and notes in.
I require some urgent help with a problem debt that I have with the mobile phone company 3.
i had a 12 month mobile phone contract with 3. The 12 month contract ended, but I continued to use my phone for a couple of months past this date whilst i sorted out a new contract. I got myself a new contract and wrote a letter to 3 customer services on 18 December 2005 informing them that I was cancelling my mobile phone contract as I had taken out a new one. I cancelled my direct debit from February 2006, so the last payment they were able to take was January 2006 (1 months notice as per contract). i did not get a reply and assumed everything was ok.
I kept on receiving bills, so I phoned them to tell them that the contract was cancelled. I got through to a call centre in India and the guy I spoke to just kept repeating that the contract was not cancelled. I ended the call saying that we were just going round in circles and that I would write to 3 customer services again. I wrote to them again on 2 April 2006, enclosing a copy of my first letter and asking them to cancel the bills. Yet again i did not receive any response!
I then received a letter from a debt collection agency (Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd) on 2 June 2006. It said that it was a notice of intended litigation, and that I owed 3 £129! it was signed by A J Martin (debt recovery manager). I wrote directly to Mr Martin, but again did not receive a reply!
I then received a letter on 15 June 2006. It was another litigation warning letter, this time from a company called Midas Legal Services. it was signed by Mr M Dobson (solicitor). I wrote back to Mr Dobson, enclosing copies of all my correspondance, but this time I faxed the letter over, so I has proof that it had gone through. I phoned Midas Litigation Services and they confirmed that they had received my fax, and were liasing with 3 on the matter. Surprise surprise i did not receive a reply!!!
I was then absolutely flabogasted to received ANOTHER letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd (A J Martin Debt recovery manager) on 17 July 2006!!! It was an exact copy of the letter that I received from them on 2 June 2006!!! I was now really mad, and wrote another stinking letter to Mr Martin, enclosing copies of all my correspondance to date ad I faxed this through (all 10 pages!) I threatened to write to the Managing Director of 3 and to see my Citizens Advice Centre about the matter.
I have just got back from holiday today, opened the post to find another letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery Ltd dated 25 July 2006. In the letter they say that they have been in contact with 3 who say they have never received any request from me to cancel the account (!!!!!) They say that 3 have told them that I may contact them to cancel the contract by giving 30 days notice(!!!!!) Apparently, the outstanding balance has been frozen at £129, is correct and is due for payment (!!!!). They say that they have placed my account on hold until 11/8/06. They have asked me to contact their call centre to discuss a repayment proposal that I can afford and maintain(!!!)
Why should I?? I cancelled my contract with 3 in writing, cancelled my standing order, phoned them, sent them a copy of the original letter that I had sent AND sent coppies of all the correspondance to the other various people who contacted me! I no longer have the 3 phone and the phone was disconnected ages ago. In fact, my new contract with O2 expires in December and I will be on the look out for a new 12 month deal. Moorcroft Debt Recovery have started to phone me at work now, as that is the only phone number they have for me. They are hassling me, asking me when I am going to pay! I am at my witts end. i have never been in debt before and this is scaring me. I cannot aford to just pay the debt either or else i would just to make the whole thing go away. I hate speaking to people on the phone as I get flustered, which is why I prefer to write letters.
Im sorry if this is a bit long winded, but I just need some advice as to what to do, as the account was only on hold until today. Luckily, I have a file with all the correspondance and notes in.
MFW 2011 challenge - Aim: Overpay £414.26 a month/£5,000 a year. Overpayment Total to date: £414.26:jMortgage start 28/9/07 £46,217.00 :TMortgage balance as of 25/05/11 £24,490.58 :T
Interest saved as of 25/05/11: £2,849.84 Projected term reduction as of 25/05/11: 9 years 11 months
Interest saved as of 25/05/11: £2,849.84 Projected term reduction as of 25/05/11: 9 years 11 months
0
Comments
-
Not sure exactly what to do in this situation, but I have had similar with gym membership, when they hit you with so much notice, and you still have to pay such an amount. I stood my ground for a while, but caved in. (Only £25, although the principle remains).
I am sure someone else will have a solution for you. These companies are extremely annoying at their inability to cancel or follow simple instructions, especially when it results in lost money for them.:mad:Debt at worst: £33000
Debt now: £0, (Ok, a £650 overdraft)
£3000 Credit card (aiming to get this down with 0% card)0 -
Shall I let them just take me to court as at least I will have all of the correspondance to show the judge? How many timesdo they need telling that a contract has ben cancelled before they take notice?MFW 2011 challenge - Aim: Overpay £414.26 a month/£5,000 a year. Overpayment Total to date: £414.26:jMortgage start 28/9/07 £46,217.00 :TMortgage balance as of 25/05/11 £24,490.58 :T
Interest saved as of 25/05/11: £2,849.84 Projected term reduction as of 25/05/11: 9 years 11 months0 -
I'd suggest speaking to the CAB and ask over on the Mobile board - I'm sure I've heard of other problems with 3 beforeNo longer using this account for new posts from 20130
-
Thanks - i'll post this on there as well!MFW 2011 challenge - Aim: Overpay £414.26 a month/£5,000 a year. Overpayment Total to date: £414.26:jMortgage start 28/9/07 £46,217.00 :TMortgage balance as of 25/05/11 £24,490.58 :T
Interest saved as of 25/05/11: £2,849.84 Projected term reduction as of 25/05/11: 9 years 11 months0 -
I'm having a situation with a debt collection agency as well at the moment, I've had some good advice from Consumer Direct - I would definitely recommend you give them a call - 08454 040506.My sig's too large, apparently - so apologies to whoever's space I was taking up.:lipsrseal0
-
Thank you - I will give them a call tomorrow. Surely companies can not be allowed to get away with this?MFW 2011 challenge - Aim: Overpay £414.26 a month/£5,000 a year. Overpayment Total to date: £414.26:jMortgage start 28/9/07 £46,217.00 :TMortgage balance as of 25/05/11 £24,490.58 :T
Interest saved as of 25/05/11: £2,849.84 Projected term reduction as of 25/05/11: 9 years 11 months0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.3K Spending & Discounts
- 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards