letter from debt collector company

freddiemercuryno1fan

Hi,

Today I received a letter from UK Search ltd debt collectors on behalf of Arrow Global ltd. It says I owe money but doesnt say the amount it has Orange mobile as the type of debt. I havent had an orange phone since 2005 when I switched to o2 using phones for you. I assumed it was all paid off as i paid it by direct debit, my address has changed but I phoned orange thinking it might be a scam and they found my account under the old address but could only say that it was passed on to a 3rd party. I haven't got any documents because I threw them away recently- assuming it was long enough ago to be okay. What should I do because I always pay my bills and can't imagine how this has happened. If i contact phones 4 u would they be able to find the details of the transaction I did with them?
Hope someone can throw some light on how I should proceed with this as I'm obviously very worried about it all.

grumbler

I don't know how this works, but I don't think that Orange can just 'pass' the debt to a third party without any accompanying proofs.
I'd ask the company chasing you to supply you with the copies of the documents they have that prove your 'debt'.
I don't think that P4U can help because the contract was between you and Orange. Even if it was a redemption deal and you sent them copies of Orange bills they are very unlikely to keep the copies for 5 years.

mobilejunkie

Unless you CANCELLED the contract it would have continued until you went into default. That being the case, your credit record will now be absolutely wrecked and the amount you are seen as owing will be very substantial. Orange may wash their hands of it, having passed it to debt collectors - and the latter are unlikely to be sympathetic. I would try my local Citizen's Advice Bureau first - not my usual recommendation - but you may be on a very stickey wicket. If you contact the organisations concerned, I would start with Orange - but don't hold your breath.

freddiemercuryno1fan

I did cancel the contract and I haven't had any trouble obtaining credit so I don't think it can be that.I will contact the companies and if I get nowhere will then contact citizens advice bureau.thanks for the advice.

Buzby

The first thing I'd do is check your credit file. Have Orange defaulted you? It might be useful to find out by getting a copy of your file.

freddiemercuryno1fan

I will take a look at my credit file.thanks for your advice.orange said that it had been referred to a 3rd party when I phoned them but I haven't received anything about it til today.I cancelled the contract in 2005 when I took out a different one with o2.

SmudgeUK

when was the contract taken cancelled, as after 6 years if you havent acknowleged the debt, then it becomes statute barred, which means they cant collect the debt, and after 6 years it wont appear on your credit file anyway.

What you need to do is send the debt collectors, a proof it letter, dont admit to the debt, either on phone, or in writing, and only communicate with them in writing, and keep copies of all letters, recieved and sent.

SmudgeUK

Send the debt collection company this letter, and dont let them fool you into saying that you have attempted to make a payment on this account, as its a debt collectors underhanded way of getting the statute barred date changed.

When you have recieved a reply post back or pm me, and then we can either CCA them, or even just send of the statute barred letter

I do not acknowledge any debt to you or any other company or organisation that you claim to be representing.

Dear Sir/Madam

Reference number :

You have contacted me/us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading debt collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I/we 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. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

We would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above accounts unless you can provide evidence of both:

(1) proof of my liability regarding this debt.

and

(2) payment or written contact from me in the relevant period under Section 5 of the Limitation Act.

We await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed.

Otherwise we will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully

pompeyfaith

If you are in scotland this will be stat barred, if you are in england it will be stat barred shortly so send a prove it letter

freddiemercuryno1fan

thank you so much for the advice, I will send the letter as soon as possible and will let you know when I receive a reply.

SmudgeUK

freddiemercuryno1fan wrote: »

thank you so much for the advice, I will send the letter as soon as possible and will let you know when I receive a reply.

Send via registered post, keep a copy of letter, and also the proof of postage.