Mackenzie Hall, advice pls

v1ckyt

Hi all,

I'm after some advise please. Hubby had ltr from MH last week asking him to phone out of the blue, he'd never heard of them befoe.

He had some debts years ago, all since settled and satisfied, so we didn't reply after reading some of the comments regarding MH and their fishing expeditions on here. Today had ltr from their DCA section saying we will get a visit within a week, (am due baby on Friday so not great timing!) Hubby rang them, didn't acknowldge anything debt wise, they asked if he lived at a certain address, he did 16+ years ago. They won't confirm what company the finance/debt was originally taken out with. He asked that they send him a copy of CCA and documentation in order to look at, but said he didn't acknowledge any debt. Assuming its his from an old old address, 16+ years ago, do we then need to send a statute barred letter, and is there anything else we should or shouldn't do?
There's no sign of any of this coming up on his experian credit report but it only covers addresses within the past 6 years, should we take it back further? There are no recent credit searches by Mac Hall either.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice, we thought we'd settled everything and put it behind us, not nice to have it rear its ugly head again.
All the best,
Vicky

chopper_99

Don't acknowledge the debt and only deal with them in writing. There was an excellent template posted in another thread today that should still be on the first page, so have a look through the threads and find that as it was in answer to a very similar situation to yours.

EDIT: This is the thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2833220

fermi

If it's from 16 year + ago, then it shouldn't be on his credit report any more, and shouldn't have been for many many years. So no point doing anything with that.

You've got 2 options really

1) Just ignore MH until they can be bothered to provide proper details of the debt.

2) Send the letter here recorded delivery, or a similar one: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=37829646&postcount=16

Up to you really. Depends on whether they cause any additional hassle I suppose, and how you feel.

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay

v1ckyt wrote: »

I'm after some advise please. Hubby had ltr from MH last week asking him to phone out of the blue

They really are dragging the bottom on this one if it's from 16 years ago. Not that I'm surprised, this is about their level.

Try not to phone again, you'll find they make up all sorts of things (it's called selective hearing):
You: "I acknowledge no debt owed to your company and will not pay you a penny until you put in writing"
MH hear: "debt owed to you and will pay"

Prove it letter first. With a "don't phone me or else" letter (in writing only request)

I doubt they'll have anything from debts 10 years+ but it won't stop them sending letters. Lots of lovely letters to send them afterwards if they keep contacting you about this and ignore your request for everything in writing and prove it. Remember, the onus of proof is on THEM not you. They must prove you owe it, not that you don't owe it.

FTW

GFA wrote: »

Oh h*ll - I'm sorry they've done this to you! Maybe in my case, ignoring them isn't the way to go then? That worries me that they can take that action ...

Then MH must substantiate and prove this debt.

If they can't, you can order them to remove that entry and take action against them for defamation if they refuse.

dudley3012

This is really helpful. I posted earlier this week about my OH having a letter addressed to him but at another address on our street, with the same number. I hope they are just fishing on that as well .It gets so annoying

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay

dudley3012 wrote: »

This is really helpful. I posted earlier this week about my OH having a letter addressed to him but at another address on our street, with the same number. I hope they are just fishing on that as well .It gets so annoying

MH have already been warned about this sort of behaviour
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2009/44-09

If the debt is not yours you might add a few choice paragraphs from this ruling to go with your prove-it letter.

GFA

FTW wrote: »

Then MH must substantiate and prove this debt.

If they can't, you can order them to remove that entry and take action against them for defamation if they refuse.

Many thanks for this useful info in dealing with these sharks. Considering what has happened to another poster on this forum having MH register a default on her credit report, I think I may go down the "prove it" letter route and then follow up with the OFT ...

This forum is a godsend - so many knowledgeable people!!

FTW

GFA wrote: »

Many thanks for this useful info in dealing with these sharks. Considering what has happened to another poster on this forum having MH register a default on her credit report, I think I may go down the "prove it" letter route and then follow up with the OFT ...

This forum is a godsend - so many knowledgeable people!!

Please also be aware to never, ever speak to these people on the phone. No good can ever come from doing so.

GFA

FTW wrote: »

Please also be aware to never, ever speak to these people on the phone. No good can ever come from doing so.

Thanks - don't worry I won't!! After posting my initial message regarding the issue I'm having with them, I searched the forum and got that message loud and clear! (Its "pen" and paper all the way)

tuli

I have received two letters now from these people, but they are addressed to someone that sounds a bit like my name, but spelled totally wrong.
The debt in question is one that I don't actually think I owe, and if it is, it will be at least 8 years old (I have had a mobile phone with the company they say the original debt is from, but I am not aware of any outstanding money owed).
I have not phoned or written back to them.
Any advice would be gratefully received as I am beginning to get a little concerned.