Mackenzie Hall / CCJ

rog2

kat_38 wrote: »

I have never admitted to anything, have never said who I was or that I lived here - but I dont want them knocking my door or anyone elses who lives near me - does anyone know how I stop them??

Report them to Trading Standards.
If this doesn't work, report them to Trading Standards - again.
If it still doesn't work, report them to Trading Standards - again.
Now if it still isn't working, report them to Trading Standards - yet again.
And if this fails, then report Trading Standards to your local MP.

ALIBOBSY

inmypocketnottheirs wrote: »

Secondly, even if the debt is over six years old, and you then admit the debt, the six year period starts again.

HTH

There was some discussion about this on another site I go on and after looking into the legislation the general concensus was once statute barred thats it forever no matter what happens after the period ends. However I would say it is good practice not to admit anything to these DCA vultures and NEVER PHONE THEM.
ali x

rog2

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

There was some discussion about this on another site I go on and after looking into the legislation the general concensus was once statute barred thats it forever no matter what happens after the period ends. However I would say it is good practice not to admit anything to these DCA vultures and NEVER PHONE THEM.
ali x

That is correct, ALI - once the 'Limitation Period' has expired, niether 'written acknowledgement' nor indeed 'payment' will re-start the 6 year period (5 in Scotland).
ONCE A DEBT BECOMES 'STATUTE BARRED' IT REMAINS 'STATUTE BARRED' AND, PROVIDING THE 'DEBTOR' HAS TOLD THE CREDITOR, OR HIS AGENT, THAT HE WILL NO LONGER PAY THE DEBT BECAUSE IT IS STATUTE BARRED (THE ONLY REASON HE NEED GIVE) THEN THAT DEBT CAN NO LONGER BE PURSUED THROUGH THE COURTS.
Even the likes of MacKenzie Hall should, but seldom will, stop pursuing the 'alleged debtor'.
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

mumbear

Hi, I need some good advice:eek:

We have had letters from MH regarding a supposed debt with Barclaycard. My partner is adamant that he never had a Barclaycard, although I am not quite so certain. If he did however, it would have been about 15 years ago.

We have now had a letter from a company called ' Meritforce Doorstep Collection Agents ' saying that ' an authorised collector will make a visit to your property within the next 7 days' and that ' should our collector inform us that no positive commitment towards clearing the debt has taken place, your account will be returned to this office for potential legal action'

I have not seen this company mentioned on any other MH threads or indeed talk of a collector visit.

What should we do ?????

rog2

mumbear wrote: »

Hi, I need some good advice:eek:

We have had letters from MH regarding a supposed debt with Barclaycard. My partner is adamant that he never had a Barclaycard, although I am not quite so certain. If he did however, it would have been about 15 years ago.

We have now had a letter from a company called ' Meritforce Doorstep Collection Agents ' saying that ' an authorised collector will make a visit to your property within the next 7 days' and that ' should our collector inform us that no positive commitment towards clearing the debt has taken place, your account will be returned to this office for potential legal action'

I have not seen this company mentioned on any other MH threads or indeed talk of a collector visit.

What should we do ?????

'MERITFORCE' are part of the MacKenezie Hall 'Hit Squad' - I am led to believe that MH purchased the Comany last year.
Do not worry - Doorstep 'collectors' have very few powers, in law. They should only call by prior agreement. They can only ask you if you wish to make any payment, they have no power of entry and must leave immediately when you tell them to.
If your partner had a debt 15 years ago, it is, almost certainly 'statute barred'. Have a look at the link I posted earlier; http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act
Send them a copy of the template letter, that you will find in the link. It is up to them to 'prove' that the alleged debt is not covered by the Limitation Act.

Preface the letter with the following words:

'I do not acknowledge any debt to your Company, nor to ANY Organisation that you claim to represent.'

For more information about 'home visits' have a look at:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

stef37

I just like to add this forum about mackenzie hall because about a couple of months ago i started to get withheld numbers on my cellphone throughtout day and night upto 9pm this scots git would say could i have your credit card number D.O.B and postcode but i told him where to get off this went on for a month i got really annoyed at this stage i asked who he was but he repiled with abusive language so about this week monday evening he has phoned a ex directory telephone number which belongs to my parents and asked for a full payment to me i think they are a bunch of misfits relying on peoples stupidity i highly recomend DO NOT FALL FOR THIS CRAP i have got onto the F.S.A as they say mackenzie hall are well known for this behaviour and trading standards are also investigating this matter.

somebodyhasmyusername

I received a 'payslip' like letter with perforated edges last week out of the blue from MH,. It was not dated and gave no indication of what it was about, all it said was that they had (apparently) written to me but had received no response. Please call *** quoting *** to avoid action being taken against me. Thankfully I discovered this website and read all of the threads and the horror stories of this supposed 'business' and their tactics so I chose to ignore the letter.

I received a formal letter just days later offering a reduced settlement offer of a couple of hundred pounds from a credit card I had when I was 18. (I'm almost 25 now)

I'm a bit stuck on what to do now as I have spoken to somebody from DebtLine who was very helpful (& sent me a info pack) he explained that the debt sounds almost certain to be statute barred. I have made no contact/payment to anybody in just over 6 years so therefore it should qualify to fall into that bracket. Do I get in touch with MH? If so shall I call or send a letter. I understand they aren't the nicest people to talk to and it is recommended to have all communication in writing but I am unsure on how to word a letter.

Would some kind soul out there please help me, I hate having this hanging over me!

rog2

somebodyhasmyusername wrote: »

I received a formal letter just days later offering a reduced settlement offer of a couple of hundred pounds from a credit card I had when I was 18. (I'm almost 25 now)

I'm a bit stuck on what to do now as I have spoken to somebody from DebtLine who was very helpful (& sent me a info pack) he explained that the debt sounds almost certain to be statute barred. I have made no contact/payment to anybody in just over 6 years so therefore it should qualify to fall into that bracket. Do I get in touch with MH? If so shall I call or send a letter. I understand they aren't the nicest people to talk to and it is recommended to have all communication in writing but I am unsure on how to word a letter.

Would some kind soul out there please help me, I hate having this hanging over me!

Gosh - they are getting head of themselves now - they usually send out the 'reduced settlement' offer only after they have received the 'statute barred' letter - they doubtless know that the 'alleged debt' is, indeed, statute barred.

You have been well advised NOT to call them - they are extremely 'skilled' at twisting your words until it sounds as though you have 'agreed' to pay a debt that is, most likely, unenforceable.

If I were you, I would send them the statute barred letter, which can be found on the following link; http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

Provided you have made no payment towards, nor acknowledged, in writing, the alleged debt for a period of six years (five in Scotland) then the debt is covered under the Limitation Act and is 'Statute Barred'. This means that, provided you have told the creditor, or dca, that you will no longer be making any payments as the 'debt' is statute barred (the Only reason you need give) they can, no longer pursue this 'debt' through the courts.

I would strongly suggest that you 'preface' the letter with the words:

"I do not acknowledge any debt to your Company, or to any organisation that you claim to represent"

The onus would be firmly upon MH to prove that you had made any payments, or written acknowledgement, to this 'debt' and the above letter does not constitute acknowledgement.

Furthermore, they should cease ALL activity to pursue you for this 'debt':

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf


If they continue to harass you, then report them to Trading Standards.

Good Luck.

somebodyhasmyusername

I took your advice and checked out the letter layouts available and jigged it around a bit.

I explained that I have made no contact or payment to anybody in regards to the credit card debt they were chasing me for... etc etc etc.. said that due to this being over 6 years old, it is statute barred. I threw in a few law quotes for good measure and thankfully I received a formal 'colour' letter a week or so later explaining that Mackenzie Hall will NO LONGER contact me about this matter and no further action will be taken.

How can this company get away with sending intimidating letters and make what seems to be fraudulent claims against people?

Thanks again for your help[/FONT]

somebodyhasmyusername

I took your advice and checked out the letter layouts available and jigged it around a bit.

I explained that I have made no contact or payment to anybody in regards to the credit card debt they were chasing me for... etc etc etc.. said that due to this being over 6 years old, it is statute barred. I threw in a few law quotes for good measure and thankfully I received a formal 'colour' letter a week or so later explaining that Mackenzie Hall will NO LONGER contact me about this matter and no further action will be taken.

How can this company get away with sending intimidating letters and make what seems to be fraudulent claims against people?

Thanks again for your help.