Urgent - Really Worried - 10 days to pay!

DarkConvict

It is going to be to late to deal with this now, and you will likely have to pay up on a repayment plan.

What you should have done is got the account stopped and took the matter up with OFCOM and PayPhonePlus (I think) the regulators for premium rate telecom services.
There is nothing to stop random companies sending you spam when they themselves or a friend gives you there number. There has to be validation inbetween to confirm you accept the service.

However now there has been a bill left for so long, and there is the termination fee for not paying, disputing it is going to be extremely difficult. You could try it but i do not know how far you would get with it!

KingElvis

mr.ton wrote: »

I agree with the principle of repaying a debt - but only the basis that the OP has the means to repay the debt in the 1st place, once all essential expenditure has been catered for.
No amounts of DCA threats is gonna change that if the OP doesnt have it to repay.
We get the same old tired argument of "well you ran up the debt" etc...well tough, things happen/life changes etc....the industry will not get blood out of a stone, no matter how many times it tries to play the moral card.

My post was not designed to be a "you ran it up, you pay it" post, I agree that if a DCA is trying it on, collecting barred debts, being foul, trying dodgy tricks then I would be the first to tell them to get f**ked. I also agree that you cannot get blood from a stone and that's why I suggested that in this case, it may be better to communicate and just start to get it sorted.

I think the OP and her OH have very little chance of defending this on breach of contract, lack of knowledge or the fact that these premium services just "popped" up.

The way I read threads and they way I respond to them just tells me this one's a babe that's going to have to dealt with.

I do wish them luck though and hope it works itself out.

mr.ton

If a £1 per month is all you can afford as a token payment - then thats what you can pay as in the eyes of the law you are deemed to be paying something (a token gesture) - if they dont accept it then tough on them.

DGJsaver

mr.ton wrote: »

Harrassment & demanding monies with menace for starters....

And where has that occured ?
The OP (or partner) havent even follwed due DFW process yet ?

I would think an OFT complaint is a little way off yet

dancingfairy

Hi - do you have any evidence of calls/dates to O2 regarding this - names/times - anything in writing at all (you really should have complained in writing at the time and kep copies in case it came back to haunt you (which it has sadly)).
Write a complaint to O2 with copies of any evidence you have (maybe send signed for or recorded delivery so you know they have it) and see what they say (I would also send a copy to the debt collectors and add in the letter that you expect collection to be put on hold whilst O2 investigate). Whilst you are disputing the debt and awaiting a written response from O2 they shouldn't be chasing it.
You may then be able to complain to the Ombudsman but as has been said above with the time and presumably limited proof it is going to be hard to fight.
Good Luck
df

danizinha

Thank you everyone so much for your responses.

I think I should write them a letter as suggested. Does anyone know of a template letter for this kind of thing as I'm not really sure where to start. We would be happy to pay back the early termination fees but definitely not this text service. Should I say this? Any help on writing the letter would be greatly appreciated.

I dont want to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Also, at this point, has it already affected his credit rating and if so, for how long? I didn't even know he would have a credit file at this stage.

Thanks again everyone

dancingfairy

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score#files
See Martin's article on getting hold of his credit files and see what's on them - they may have registered the debt with 1,2, or all 3 agencies. I'm not sure if you can get them corrected because if he still owed the termination fee (which it sounds like he did/does) then they have every right to put a marker on his file and by paying it off they should update his files accordingly (assuming they accept that he didn't sign up for these other services).
df

FOURCANDLES_2

Oh just tell them to do one, shred the letters if they want it let them take your bf to court your not hm remember ,I would also suggest do not bother getting in to silly chit chat and reporting etc nothing is ever done with these dca remember it is not YOU.

danizinha

FOURCANDLES wrote: »

Oh just tell them to do one, shred the letters if they want it let them take your bf to court your not hm remember ,I would also suggest do not bother getting in to silly chit chat and reporting etc nothing is ever done with these dca remember it is not YOU.

Hi there,

Thanks for your response.

Can you please tell me what evidence you have to back this up. I am worried my boyfriend will get a CCJ and it will affect us getting a mortgate and stuff later on.

How long will they pursue this for? We have not contacted them as yet so for the moment they are only assuming he is receiving them and they dont have his new telephone number. Thanks, its just Im getting so much conflicting advice!