How to complain about a debt recovery service?

Jriw

Hi

I am hoping someone can help. We are a small business who is owed several thousand pounds by a company and after months and months chasing finally employed a debt recovery company to help us.
This proved to only make things worse, as they first claimed to have not received emails from our client and ourselves delaying things and then accidentally sent confidential information to our client, effectively ruining our case.

Is there anyone I can complain to? The financial ombudsman says they can't help and only deal with consumers facing debt collectors.


Many Thanks

bengalknights

You would have to take it up with the debt collectors as they were contracted to you and thus the contract and complaints would lie with them.

Premier_2

Jriw wrote: »

Hi

I am hoping someone can help. We are a small business who is owed several thousand pounds by a company and after months and months chasing finally employed a debt recovery company to help us.
This proved to only make things worse, as they first claimed to have not received emails from our client and ourselves delaying things and then accidentally sent confidential information to our client, effectively ruining our case.

Is there anyone I can complain to? The financial ombudsman says they can't help and only deal with consumers facing debt collectors.


Many Thanks

What type of confidential material have you been giving out to a third party (the DCA)?

Surely all the DCA need is the invoice you have sent out, and perhaps your proof of delivery. The debtor should already have these, but if not would have every right to request them.

The DCA may also request a copy of the original terms & conditions agreed between you and your client, but surely the client has this too.

Jriw

It is mainly labour charge for several projects and some quite complicated as part price, part extra's.
It was discussion of what I was prepared to forgo for part settlement and other confidential email conversation between us and the DCA that has been passed on by mistake.

bengalknight, I have complained to the DCA and withdrawn my business, but want to make them review their practices and stop this happening to anyone else.

Premier_2

Jriw wrote: »

It is mainly labour charge for several projects and some quite complicated as part price, part extra's.
It was discussion of what I was prepared to forgo for part settlement and other confidential email conversation between us and the DCA that has been passed on by mistake.

...

That won't affect your right to the money, although I accept it does put the debtor into a favourable position if you wanted to settle out of court.

If they give you what you are prepared to settle for, then everyones happy are they not? If they don't sue, for the full amount