Orange Phone Bill/Moorcroft Debt Recovery. Help!

s_mav

Dear All,

I really need some advice. A few months ago I received an orange phone bill of around £200, admittedly the bill was my fault and as I couldn't afford to pay it I stupidly decided to bury my head and ignore it. I know that this was stupid of me and I should have made more effort to pay it straight away.
I've now received very threatening letters and phone calls from a company called Moorcroft Debt Recovery, demanding immediate payment of £650. I explained when they called that I couldn't not afford this and asked if I could pay a monthly amount at the end of every month, but was told they could not hold the account for that long and the matter would be taken to court. The only option I was given was half payment within a week and then the other half at the end of this month.
I've tried to contact Orange and they confirmed the total amount I owed was £301, but they could not do anything because the matter was out of their hands, I did offer to pay them directly, but again they stated that there was nothing they could do.
I'm at a loss to explain where the extra £350 has came from and I'm really scared by the way this company keeps threatening to take me to court. I would have no problem paying the £300 off in monthly installments, but I cannot afford £650 and certainly not in one or two gos!
Please Help!

Hannah_10

OMG this is exactly what has happened to me. Read this...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2589923

DarkConvict

It "could" be a cancellation fee. If you did not pay and default on the mobile contract, you get charged your current bill + your monthly line rental * months remaining.

Then again, as Hannah states the DCA could have added on a unlawful charge. I would go with sending them the prove it letter as the amount is clearly wrong. They need to prove this is your debt and give a cleat breakdown of how the final bill is made up, a screenprint of an account screen is not sufficient.

mr.ton

Stop speaking to these clowns on the phone & refuse to answer security questions if they phone you.
They have no legal power to any money off you.
Report them to the OFT & trading standards if they refuse to leave you alone.

mr.ton

s_mav wrote: »

The only option I was given was half payment within a week and then the other half at the end of this month.

They wont take you anywhere near a court as it will cost them money to do so - thats why they rely on threats and harassment.
Its not for them to say what your "options" are - you are the boss of them, not the other way round - if you offer £1 per month then thats what they must accept in a like it or lump it sort of way.
Fear not with Moorcroft, they are powerless goons who's bark is bigger than their bite.

Hannah_10

To condense what I've done so far into steps if you wanted to do the same thing it's...

1. Go behind Moorcrofts back and get a statement of account from Orange. This is easy to do, if you want I can let you have the copy of the letter I used to request one. You'll get back something on Oranges letterhead showing you really owe £301.
2. I wouldn't mention to Moorcroft that you have it.
3. Write to Moorcroft to complain that you don't think you do really owe £650. They will insist you do (of course)
4. Once you've recieved thier final word on it you are allowed to go through the Financial Ombudsman Service, who have the power to dictate to Moorcroft what happens next. You can ask the FOS for compensation for your trouble (worth £10 an hour), for the unfair and illegal charge tobe taken off and for anything else that is important to you.

Seriously, don't talk to Moorcroft on the phone, they will just be horrible and tell a lot of lies. Even bigger lies than they put in letters.
Also don't be phased by threatening letters. "Notice of possible litigation" is a Moorcroft favourite, as is the one that says "we will get a judgement and your bill will go up to £xxx", both are total cobblers! They're not going to take you to court because the judge is going to look on them very dimly indeed if they do. You have a right to query the debt, the judge knows this, so you get your opportunity first, Moorcroft however will panic.
Be aware the pester-rate from Moorcroft will go up at the first hint you might know your rights. They're trying to frighten you, if you don't scare then they have nothing... Hence why they try harder!

s_mav

Hi Guys!
Thanks for the advice! Hannah, what would I need to say in the letter that i send to orange?
Thanks Again

Hannah_10

This is mine, feel free to nick it (change the blue bits)...

I sent this AFTER I'd written to and got a reply from Moorcroft, so the Moorcroft reply was referenced.

My address

Orange Personal Communications
Senhouse Road
Darlington
CountyDurham
DL1 4BY

Date 2010

Reference: 8 number orange reference no from a bill

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to request:

• A copy of the final account breakdown for the above account, detailing the breakdown of charges from which the alleged debt is comprised.
• A copy of the original contract, Orange clearly displaying the terms and conditions under which any charges would be imposed.
• A full and detailed justification of the £xxx “account charges” noted in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the letter dated date from Moorcroft Debt Recovery Limited, acting on your behalf.

I would seek to remind Orange that Moorcroft Debt Recovery Limited, as the appointed agent of Orange Personal Communications, are not legally entitled to make any further charges on this account without my authority, which they do not have, have never had and will not be granted. Furthermore, Orange Personal Communications are not legally entitled to make any further charges on this account unless in accordance with the terms and conditions of the original Consumer Credit Agreement.

Yours Faithfully


Signed digitally

PNPSUKNET

It will be cancellation charges, late payment charge from orange and the remainder of the contract. Moorcroft can add collection charges it would of been in your service agreement.