Fredrickson International Limited

billy28

Hi, My first time on here. Have just returned from my holiday via a trip to hospital for a snapped Achilles. In total I've been away 3 weeks. Whilst away I kept getting text messages with a reference number from a company calling themselves Fredrickson International Limited asking me to call urgently. I assumed it was a scam (they always arrived at 8:11am) as I was in America I did nothing due to the potential costs involved. I finally made it home yesterday and their were 2 letters waiting for me.

The first dated 19th April 2011 (7 days after I left the UK) tells me their client is Capital One (Europe) plc. I did have an account with them and due to me having Asperger's syndrome and getting forced out of my employment came to an agreement with them where I paid £100 a month for a set period to clear the debt. They often bullied and harassed me (also often rang my parents house late at night despite being told I didn't live there).

As far as I was concerned I had paid off my debt. I made my last payment on 13th Sept 2010 and have never heard from them since.

The 1st letter says,

Dear Mr *****

DO NOT IGNORE
IMMEDIATE PAYMENT REQUIRED

BALANCE £619.28

We are instructed by Capital One (Europe) plc to collect the above debt which is now seriously overdue.

You have failed to pay the balance of £619.28 which remains outstanding despite previous repeated requests for payment. Our client requires payment in full to avoid further action.

YOU MUST CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY ON 0845 3136625 to discuss the matter further.

Payment should be made to FREDRICKSON INTERNATIONAL LTD quoting our full reference number. For your convenience payment can be accepted by Maestro, Delta, credit card or cheque.

This is a serious matter and you may wish to seek independent advice.

Yours sincerely,

Fredrickson International Ltd.

The second letter dated 4th May 2011 states

LETTER BEFORE ACTION

THIS DEBT MUST BE PAID IN FULL TO THESE OFFICES WITHIN THE NEXT 7 DAYS OTHERWISE WE WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Should it be necessary to issue proceedings in the County Court (or the Sheriff Court as may be appropriate), further additional costs will be added to the balance outstanding,

Outstanding Balance TO PAY NOW £619.28
Interest £49.54
Court Fees £55.00
Solicitor Costs £70.00
New balance if proceedings are issued £793.82

If a judgement or decree remains unsatisfied a bailiff or sheriff officer may be instructed to recover assets to discharge the outstanding debt. Judgement debts are registered by the court. A judgement debt or decree against you would seriously affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.

PAYMENT CAN BE ACCEPTED BY MAESTRO, DELTA, CHEQUE AND IN SOME INSTANCES CREDIT CARD.

Your sincerely

Fredrickson International Ltd.

Wasn't expecting this as its come out of the blue. Have never heard from them before and have had no contact with Capital One since I made my last payment. When I sorted out the deal to pay £100 a month it was all done via the phone and they told me I'd need to make payments until the date that I did. They never (despite requests) sent me a payment plan.

Any help or guidance would be really appreciated especially in my current state in which I can't go anywhere.

Thanks

Tixy

Hi

The first response to this sort of letter would usually be to send the prove it letter to fredrickson - its usually advised to send this recorded deliv - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11570893&postcount=2

Then if they provide some proof of the debt and then balance then you would probably need to ask them for a statement and compare the payments received to your records of the payments made. It may be that this is interest that was charged whilst you were making your repayments and that it has since grown to this level. If it is then you could probably come to an agreement to either offer a reduced full & final settlement if you can afford to, or to offer monthly repayments that you can afford to clear this debt.

Do make sure you do everything in writing not by phone so that you have a record of what has been said/agreed etc.

billy28

Thank you, will get on with that straight away. Quite a worrying thing to return home to, especially as I can't work with my injury.

Cheers