Ruthbridge Letter - extremely vague?!

arttochoke

Thread Stats
Views:
420
WW Factor
Coming Soon...
Share This Thread:
!
Share
Hi all,

My partner got a letter today from Ruthbridge Ltd. After reading what rogues these people are I am slightly less concerned as I love a good financial fight!! However, I wanted to post the details as it is very random.

The letter was addressed to my partner so they opened it. This is what it said:

<My partners correct name & address>

Our Ref: xxxxxxxx/xx

Dear Mr xxxxx

We note that you have failed to respond to mail directed to you.

YOU HAVE BEEN TRACED AS LIVING AT THE ADDRESS STATED ABOVE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR RECOVERY DIVISION IMMEDIATELY ON

02087 343594

If you have established contact with this department within the next five days, an agent may call between the hours of:

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 9.00pm and Saturday 9:00am - 5.30pm

Yours sincerely,
Mr Jason Evans
RECOVERY DIVISION

Now, my partner has no debts, they hardly have a credit record! We once had to pay a debt recovery agent for council tax our ex-landlady stitched us up for (she had said it was included in the rent - then told the council who couldn't find us resulting in debt collection a year later!). This is the only thing I can think of which is fully paid, and was addressed to both of us, not just my partner. The weird thing is that they are being very vague. What is the debt or correspondence they have not responded to?! We have lived here for over 4.5 years!! It wouldn't take that long to find someone especially as we are on the electoral roll.

Any help with this would be appreciated as all I can find is posts from people that have received The Occupier letters.

Thanks.

RAS

Bascially do not respond as it may well have nothing to do with either of you. They go fishing - letters to every John Smith in Brum for example.

sofababe

Send them this letter. they are probably looking for someone with the same/similar name and have decided to pick on your partner. They are scum. If it was about the Council tax you would have heard from a court by now so I'd be fairly confident that it was just Ruthbridge fishing.


Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself. I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name). I am familiar with the CPUTR 2008 and the Office of Fair Trading's Guidance on debt collection, which states that it is unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable and in not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive and unfair methods. Furthermore ignoring and disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical & psychological harassment.

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question and await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to Trading Standards and also inform the Office Of Fair Trading of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully

Print Name

FTW

Ignore. If they can't detail what it is they want, you're not obliged to give them the time of day. And yes, I'd refer straight to the OFT.

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay

arttochoke wrote: »

My partner got a letter today from Ruthbridge Ltd....
...
YOU HAVE BEEN TRACED AS LIVING AT THE ADDRESS STATED ABOVE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR RECOVERY DIVISION IMMEDIATELY ON

What this should actually read is:

A NAME SIMILAR TO YOURS HAS BEEN TRACED TO MULTIPLE ADDRESSES INCLUDING THE ONE STATED ABOVE. PLEASE CONTACT OUR SCAMMING DIVISION IMMEDIATELY ON


Don't phone them, just send the prove it letter (as per sofababe's template).

FTW

TJF1234 wrote: »

Following on from the advice on this fantastic site we received a letter 'to the occupier' from Ruthbridge - which we ignored. We then got a second letter, this time addressed with personal details.

Definately agree with the comment about scamming division. The person they were after moved out of my address 6 years ago. So dont know why they tried to get her at my address.

I admit the second letter does appear intimidating though, as the person was rude to me on the phone. I called them once I realised that the letter was not meant for me at all. I wish you all luck dealing with this company. - they are definately one of the worst unprofessional companies I have dealt with

thinking of also sending an email to confirm the conversation!!

'The Occupier' is against OFT Guidelines. Refer a complaint to them.

The OFT won't take your individual complaint on board, but they'll add it to the pile of complaints that exist against Ruthbridge already.

If enough complaints mount up, then the OFT may be inclined to take action against Ruthbridge.

fatbelly

TJF1234 wrote: »

thinking of also sending an email to confirm the conversation!!

What about confirming it in writing?

You could say that you believe their conduct to be unprofessional and in breach of sections x,y,and z of the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance - pick as many sections as you like.

Say that you require their response within three weeks as you intend to send it together with a copy of your complaint to:

Office of Fair Trading
Financial Ombudsman Service
Credit Services Association

See if you can make them squirm for a change!