Getting vodafone to take the debt back from a DCA

fimonkey

On behalf of a friend:

His bill with vodafone is enormous (£700) because they've cancelled his contracts (he had a notebook and mobile phone contract) due to non payment and added the cancellation fee's to the bill.

He received a bill on the 27th July from vodafone and called them this morning to discuss payment. He was told that the debt was passed to a DCA on the 15.7.20 and he needs to call them to arrange payment. To date he has not heard from the DCA and only knew this from calling vodafone this morning.

Given that DCA's add stupid charges to the account can we do anything to 'force' vodafone to take back the account? They were refusing point blank when I spoke to them on his behalf this morning so I know that fromnow on everthing nedes to be via registered post... is there any legal statute I can use?

I have successfully got the council to take back his CT debt by letter, but they were easier to deal with than the "computer says no" numpty's at vodafone.

Any advice greatly appreciated. he's not denying he owes this debt and he does want to pay it, but quite rightly does not want to pay the extra charges the DCA will put on.

Many thanks

Tixy

Hi

If the debt has actually been sold on then there is nothing you can do. With CT its different as the DCA only deal with it on behalf of the council. With a consumer debt like this sometimes it is managed on the creditor's behalf but more typically the debt is actually sold.

DCAs are sometimes more reasonable that the original creditor, and don't always add on charges.
If he agrees to a repayment plan with them he should ask if they will freeze interest & charges. As they will have bought the debt for a lot less than £700 the DCA can still make a profit even if he pays that £700 over say 12months without needing to charge charges.
Alternatively if he is in a position to do so he could write to offer a reduced F&F settlement of say 40% of the debt balance. That way the DCA are happy because they made a profit and haven't had to wait long for it and he is happy cos he gets to pay less.
When the DCA

DarkConvict

DCAs generally don't add further charges because they are not allowed.

Mobiel phones don't incur interest and a DCA has no contractual rights to add further charges. Debts going to a DCA is usually a good thing, as DCAs often accept full and final offers on debts.

Vodafone

Hi fimonkey,

If you could ask your friend to e-mail us here placing WRT135 in the subject title we would be happy to take a look at the account.

Many thanks,

Kath
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK