Littlewoods Finance thinks we owe them money!

MrGT

Not too sure that this is the right forum.

Earlier today, my wife recieved a letter from a Debt Collection Agency acting on behalf of Littlewood Finance, stating that she owes them money. My wife has never had anything from Littlewoods so we are quite annoyed about this.

We phoned up the agency to say that we don't owe any money and when asking for some personal details off my wife, we find out that the date of birth they have for her is wrong (wrong year). They have said that we need to send them a copy of something proving her date of birth when we send the dispute letter. What we found even more annoying was that they would not give out any more information due to the dates of birth being different.

I was going to send a dispute letter (based upon the National Debtline "prove it" letter found elsewhere on these forums ) along with a copy of her birth certificate. I have a horrible feeling that this is going to be a long drawn out process. What else can we do?

Many Thanks

MrGT

PS - Just noticed another thread about the Debt Collection Agency who are asking for this. They are Capquest! Should we be worried???

stephane_2

One thing you have to remember is that it is up to them to proove that you owe them money and not the other way round. I would be you I would contact Littlewoods directly and for them to sort it out and to communicate with the Debt Collection Agency...if it is not your debt, it is not your problem. Just to be on the safe side, you should also check your credit file with both Experian and Equifax just to ensure that there hasn't been any fraudulent applications made under your name or wife...

MrGT

stephane wrote: »

One thing you have to remember is that it is up to them to proove that you owe them money and not the other way round. I would be you I would contact Littlewoods directly and for them to sort it out and to communicate with the Debt Collection Agency...if it is not your debt, it is not your problem.

Cheers. From what I've been reading in simular threads about Capquest, I should really be sending them the prove it letter and let them do all the leg work. Assuming that I don't hear anything from them for a while, how long do I need to leave it before I chase them in regards of closing this (a bit ahead of myself but I need to be optimistic!)

Just to be on the safe side, you should also check your credit file with both Experian and Equifax just to ensure that there hasn't been any fraudulent applications made under your name or wife...

I'm sure we've done it in the past and nothing has popped up but I'll suggest it to her. She is very anti computers so it will be interesting!

Cheers

stephane_2

You can send the letter and by giving them 14 days to sort it out...just make sure that any communication you have with them is always in writing sent by recorded delivery and NEVER ever by phone....

MrGT

stephane wrote: »

just make sure that any communication you have with them is always in writing sent by recorded delivery and NEVER ever by phone....

Do we need to worry that we have already phoned them?

fermi

From the OFT.

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

False representation of authority and/or legal position

2.3 Those contacting debtors must not be deceitful by misrepresenting their authority and/or the correct legal position.

2.4 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

f. pursuing third parties for payment when they are not liable

Physical/psychological harassment

2.5 Putting pressure on debtors or third parties is considered to be oppressive.

2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

h. ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment

Deceptive and/or unfair methods

2.7 Dealings with debtors are not to be deceitful and/or unfair.

2.8 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

j. requiring an individual to supply information to prove they are not the debtor in question, for example, driving licences, passports, full name, date of birth, signatures

k. not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt.

MrGT

Cheers Fermi

I'm sending the letter off today and I'll give them 14 working days or so to reply back (around 22nd Oct). If we hear nothing do I consider the matter closed or do I need to chase?

fermi

MrGT wrote: »

Do we need to worry that we have already phoned them?

No. Just not the best idea to do it any more.

MrGT wrote: »

Cheers Fermi

I'm sending the letter off today and I'll give them 14 working days or so to reply back (around 22nd Oct). If we hear nothing do I consider the matter closed or do I need to chase?

Chasing would probably be fruitless with this type of outfit.

I would just consider the matter closed UNLESS you get anything else from them that suggests otherwise.

If you DO get anything else, then maybe post on the Debt-Free Wannabe board.

MrGT

fermi wrote: »

No. Just not the best idea to do it any more.

Reading the other threads about Capquest, I think phoning them will be a waste of time as well.

Chasing would probably be fruitless with this type of outfit.

I would just consider the matter closed UNLESS you get anything else from them that suggests otherwise.

If you DO get anything else, then maybe post on the Debt-Free Wannabe board.

Cheers. The letter has been sent and hopefully that will be the end of that.

If anything else happens I'll post in the Debt-Free Wannabe board (I wasn't too sure where to post)

Many Thanks

pinkcandyflossprincess

hi
I would suggest going onto the littlewoods facebook page and lodging your complaint there as well- you are more likely to get a person who will deal with it and put you onto the higher powers of littlewoods, where they may put an end to the nonsense without all the fuss of constant sending stuff back and forth!

I do wonder if someone has been using your wifes details though? it sounds rather odd- have you moved recently?
jo xx