Two collection agencies chasing me for same debt

savvyshopper76

Hi all, advice needed.
I have an outstandind debt with lloyds tsb which I really want to pay off but the problem is two collection agencies are trying to collect at the same time.
I recieved a letter from Wescot dated 27 October stating that I owed them £291.59, I emailed them the same day I recieved the letter offering to set up a standing order to pay the debt off at £50 a month for 5 months then the remaining £41.59 on the sixth month. No reply recieved as yet.
On Wednesday of this week I recieved a letter from Moorcroft stating that I owed £201.01 (which was the original ammount owed) dated the 4 November. I emailed them stating that I was being pursued by another company for the same debt but for a different ammount but said if they could prove they legaly owned the debt I would ay it back again at £50 per month. Nothing recieved back from them yet either.
I am not paying back to two different companies for the same debt and have researched a little on the internet this morning to find out if this is even legal. I read that if one of the companies is not entitled to collect the debt they could be liable to pay off my debt to the other company. Does anyone know if this is correct? How do I go about finding out which company owns the debt? And where should I go from here?
Any help at this point would be great.

Tixy

I would suggest you send the prove it letter to moorcroft. Send it recorded and wait for them to send your proof that you owe the money and proof that they have a right to collect it. I wouldn't use email to contact any debt collector - they'll often just ignore anything sent by email and any offer of payment.

savvyshopper76 wrote: »

I read that if one of the companies is not entitled to collect the debt they could be liable to pay off my debt to the other company. Does anyone know if this is correct?

No, its not correct.

You could complain to the OFT and to the agencies under 3.7 c of the debt collection guidelines see this link -
UPDATED OFT Guidance on Debt Collection - READ IF YOU ARE BEING HASSLED UNFAIRLY

savvyshopper76

Tixy, is there a template prove it letter or do I just right to them explaining the situation and ask them to prove they own the debt? Do I write to both companies about this? I hope Moorcroft do own it as they are only requesting the original ammount

Tixy

Sorry -forgot to add the template - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11570893&postcount=2

That should get them to provide proof that you owe the money to them (it doesn't matter that you know that you owe money to lloyds, they have to prove you now need to pay them).

savvyshopper76

Thanks Tixy for your help, it is a very frustrating thing when you are trying your best to pay off what you owe and you can't!

savvyshopper76

Was just wondering, what happens if both companies can prove they own the debt? I am prepaired to pay one but not both!!!

Redvee

Wescot are the most likely company you'll end up dealing with. In my experiences of paying £1 month to creditors, Wescot were dealing with the £9k Lloyds/TSB wanted from me.

devonlad

hi, i had a debt of 1200 with loyds tsb, the debt was sold to moorcrooft who to be very blunt were rude and very intimidating. i am pleased to not that like you i had to pay the debt back within six months. My other debts i owe were all happy to what ever they could i.e. barclys 10k they frooze all intrest and charges and take 100 a month. moorcroft need their money quick so i expect you will hear lots from them with letters including court costs, solis fees, baliffs blah blah.
Any way i found that i paid three months of 208 but cant cope with that. So stopped the DD and have asked for paying in slips. Told them that i will be paying between 10 and twenty pound a month which is what the DMP from the CCCS would alocate them. Not had to actully go on a dmp have one ready to start but as i have a ref number now all the other banks are happy to manage it with out actully doing the dmp.
dont worry about moorcroft and there letters of bold and diffrent colours.

regards