Moorcroft at the door!

fluffnutter

mo786uk wrote: »

Firstly - you owe the debt so come to an arrangement with the DCA to pay it back in small installments.

I wouldn't arrange anything with a DCA. The debt they're chasing bears little resemblance to the original debt, they've probably bought the debt for a few pounds, use vile methods to frighten and intimidate people and can't help with cleaning up your credit file.

I think the OP should resolve this with the mobile company, not some thug knocking at her door.

mo786uk

fluffnutter wrote: »

I wouldn't arrange anything with a DCA. The debt they're chasing bears little resemblance to the original debt, they've probably bought the debt for a few pounds, use vile methods to frighten and intimidate people and can't help with cleaning up your credit file.

I think the OP should resolve this with the mobile company, not some thug knocking at her door.

If the OP puts the debt in dispute then that should hold off the DCA - but it doesn't appear there is much of a dispute.

Its irrelevant if the DCA bought the areement for 5 pence - the total sum they are chasing is a legit debt.

Yes the OP can ignore the DCA but they shoudlnt moan if they keep contatcing her in the meantime.

I guess it depends on whether the DCA are agent or they have bought the debt. If they have BOUGHT the debt and there is no dispute then there is little recourse with the phone company as far as i can see.........

halibut2209

I keep reading this as "Microsoft at the door!"

fluffnutter

mo786uk wrote: »

Its irrelevant if the DCA bought the areement for 5 pence - the total sum they are chasing is a legit debt.

I think that depends. Say the original debt was £100. This is then sold to the DCA for whatever (like you say, it's irrelevant really). The DCA can't then say "Hello, here's your debt of £18,000.00". It's got to bear some resemblance to the original debt else they could charge what they like!

That's why I think it's important that skint81 contacts the original company, particularly as she'd struggle to pay a large debt. Who wants to pay the DCA's inflated debt and spurious admin charges? And more importantly, legally she doesn't have to.

mo786uk

fluffnutter wrote: »

I think that depends. Say the original debt was £100. This is then sold to the DCA for whatever (like you say, it's irrelevant really). The DCA can't then say "Hello, here's your debt of £18,000.00". It's got to bear some resemblance to the original debt else they could charge what they like!

That's why I think it's important that skint81 contacts the original company, particularly as she'd struggle to pay a large debt. Who wants to pay the DCA's inflated debt and spurious admin charges? And more importantly, legally she doesn't have to.

I agree

I was under the impression that for consumer debts they cannot add fees just for chasing the debt but they can for business debts - anyone in the know?

Presumably the debt can only grow to whatever was agreed and then I think when its terminated the charges have to stop.

tomwakefield

fluffnutter wrote: »

I think that depends. Say the original debt was £100. This is then sold to the DCA for whatever (like you say, it's irrelevant really). The DCA can't then say "Hello, here's your debt of £18,000.00". It's got to bear some resemblance to the original debt else they could charge what they like!

That's why I think it's important that skint81 contacts the original company, particularly as she'd struggle to pay a large debt. Who wants to pay the DCA's inflated debt and spurious admin charges? And more importantly, legally she doesn't have to.

but it could legitimately include the cost of the remaining 21 months at the contracted rate, on top of the unpaid month. This could be an extra £840 at £40 per month which, when added to the full unpaid month could easily approach £1000, even assuming no additional charges.

Dontdrinkurmilk

There is so many DCA's in practice, therefore so many people with debts, therefore what you will normally see happen is that the first DCA to make contact with you will probably give up after a few weeks / months, then another DCA will try their luck. As already stated if anything deal with the original creditor. DCA's often levy their own charges on the debt. some DCA'S will make you feel like your getting a bargain as they will Purchase the deed of assignment from the OC, at a discounted price, so even if the DCA offer you a 30% discount on the overall debt, they are still profiting.....

mo786uk

DCAs are business - there is nothing wrong with them profiteering.....

Debts get passed around by creditors if one DCA fails to get the money back.

arcon5

mo786uk wrote: »

I agree

I was under the impression that for consumer debts they cannot add fees just for chasing the debt but they can for business debts - anyone in the know?

Thats correct... but the fee is not usually a "penalty", its an "administration charge" or some other title.