Uni demanding extra money, but with no reason given

gorgeouslatinrose

Hi there, I wonder if anyone could give me advice.
I transferred from one university to another between semsters a year and a half ago. Due to finance issues and arguments between universitys, £759 was owed, and eventually paid. However today I have recieved another letter from a legal agency, saying though the money was paid, another £200 is owed. Neither the university has mentioned this, the £759 was all that was stated. No information has been given, correspondence recieved, they are solely demanding the money. Tomorrow I will contact them as I need to understand why this is here, but my impression is possibly intrest but this has never been mentioned untill today. Has anyone else had this type of issue, the money is definatly not owed so what they can justify it is beyond me, but I was hoping for advice on when speaking to them about the subject, and whether they are allowed to charge intrest without informing me.
Sorry for the ramble, I am rather angry as I thought it was all over when the money was paid xx

GEEGEE8

Did any letters about the initial amount say 'full and final settlement'? or words to that effect?

gorgeouslatinrose

None whatsoever. I thought this was strange, they have asked me to repay bursary money but they have only just found this out and this is being sorted easily as this was down to a mistake of the present uni, yet this £202 is just recieved out of the blue with no other correspondence. Im about to ring them now to try and sort it out.

Oldernotwiser

Could this be fees and interest added by the DCA?

Taiko

There can't be interest I'm sure, not without there being a credit agreement somewhere.

We really need more information though.

gorgeouslatinrose

I honestly have no idea. I was told to pay them £759. I paid it after a bit of a dispute, but all the money they asked for was given by cheque format. This was a month ago. 2 weeks ago they asked for more money due to mistaken bursary payment which i thought was from my present university, but turns out it was a mistake so was ringing up to ask for the details to pay it,
but before I could I recieved this demand.

Oxford Brookes University – Outstanding Account
Claim Form Number:


Thank you for your payment of 753.41.

According to our records there remains a balance of £202.94 still outstanding.

Unless we receive your proposals for repayment or your remittance for the total amount outstanding by 11 a.m. 12th July 2010 our client will have no alternative but to proceed with the entry of Judgment against you and any enforcement action necessary, without further notice.
This is the first letter I have recieved of this outstanding amount as I didnt know their was any.
I have tried ringing them three times, and eventually managed to leave my details. I am begining to wonder if they are trying to avoid any contact. As far as I know I was never told intrest or anything else would be added, if anything I was told just to pay that amount and that would be it. I was not given a final settlement email because there was no settlement, just the money paid. I presumed the fact they had called me about the bursary may have been why they did not say it was the final amount. I personally think they are trying to undercover any costs, though as far as I know I have not taken any other money, certainly not intentionally. I know they were unhappy I left , but this is begining to put a huge amount of pressure financially and on my studies.

gorgeouslatinrose

Just spoken to them they have stated it is for their legal costs.
They have also stated I was sent a letter saying the costs would be included, and an email but no such email or letter has been recieved. Apparently I need to speak to their legal people but I doubt I am going to get anywhere with them. I will give them a try later. I would understand if I had been given prior warning but just sending it like this ....... I dont know what to do...

Taiko

I think you need to ascertain when these letters were sent, and any agreements you entered into. I'm pretty sure without a contract, and your acceptance of this, they cannot impose those charges.

gorgeouslatinrose

Thanks, I will look tomorrow. I need to speak to the legal company, but I know they will tear me to the ground, and I will end up agreeing to something I dont mean too. No letters have been recieved, apart from an email saying thankyou for the payment and that it had been recieved. Many people are telling me they probably cannot do this, but the pressure is begining to get too much for me to bear, and I know I will just end up paying it. But I will try with the CAB tomorrow, maybe they can tell me what to say in a letter. Thankyou so much for all your advice, who would have thought universitys would put such pressure on students .

Taiko

What's the university in question btw? Feel free to PM if you don't want it being made public.