Possible Fraudelent doorstepping Council Tax re-banding

Curtley99_2

In November a company (offering services to get Council Tax refunds) doorstopped my 80 year old Mother. She has strict instructions never to sign anything, but for whatever reason it appears (although she claims not) that she has signed an agreement to let this company make application to the council on her behalf for council tax re-banding, for 50% of the monies saved!! (This appears excessive from other reports?)

They wrote again in January advising her that she'd been successful at which time it came to mine and my siblings attention. We have asked for copies of the document she signed and on investigation, it transpires that she "allegedly" signed two further documents on the same day. This is something she is certain she didn't do and on receiving copies those signatures look very suspicious (we are far from convinced that the first signature is genuine)

This is now causing my Mother some minor health problems and we are keen to resolve it as soon as possible without giving in to what we believe to be fraudulent activity. We are planning to write to the company concerned (which I haven't named simply because I am conscious of legal implications of this thread??) to put our concerns to them and initially see how they respond.

The money has been paid direct into my Mum's account and the council have advised that they do not communicate directly with this company or any other offering similar services, however we have confirmed that monies have been received.

Do these companies by law have to leave copies of documenst signed? as there was nothing left at the time!

Please can anyone offer any advice as to our legal standing and what actions would be most appropriate

thank you

thewad

What happened.
I was conned into doing this as they told me if the application failed it could cost me a bit of money for legal things, but if they did it they would shoulder the burden that's why it was 50/50.
I've now received the letter from the council saying my band reduction was successful and will receive the money within next 2 weeks.
I've also discovered that it's quite easy to do it yourself and better still it's free with no repercussions if you fail.
Talking about a total of about £1800.
I think I was conned or missold or whatever and will not be paying them.

John

Curtley99_2

Hi John,

we negotiated with the company concerned (by telephone and in writing, having taken legal advice) and advised them that we didn't think what they did was legal for a number of reasons.

The document my Mum (possibly) signed, was not clear as to whether it gave them permission to approach the local authority (simply to investigate the option). We also queried whether all 3 signatures on the paperwork were genuine. Another key issue was that copies of which were not left, which would have enabled her to cancel within the 7 day "cooling off" period.

Furthermore, we believe the representative put undue pressure on my Mother to sign the paperwork. Due to these points we suggested that the "contract" they suggest existed, was null and void.

Our local authority paid ALL the money direct to us and we never received a reply from the company concerned, and as such we haven't paid out.

In addition, we understand that the company concerned are being investigated by North Yorkshire Trading Standards (we are nowhere near Near Yorkshire), and I would advise contacting them.

I hope this helps

cheers



Curtley

thewad

Interesting that last bit.
The firm who did mine.......are based in N.Yorks.

Regards
John

Curtley99_2

interesting ;-)

McKneff

thewad wrote: »

What happened.
I was conned into doing this as they told me if the application failed it could cost me a bit of money for legal things, but if they did it they would shoulder the burden that's why it was 50/50.
I've now received the letter from the council saying my band reduction was successful and will receive the money within next 2 weeks.
I've also discovered that it's quite easy to do it yourself and better still it's free with no repercussions if you fail.
Talking about a total of about £1800.
I think I was conned or missold or whatever and will not be paying them.

John

You werent conned or miss sold, they asked you if you wanted them to do it, you said yes and signed up for them to do it, they were successful. The whole point is, you just dont want to pay it according to your other thread, where I might add there is no mention of conning or miss selling.

McKneff

You also need to be careful about naming and shaming legitimate companies on a public forum, you can actually be traced and sued for defamation etc. it they so wish.

Curtley99_2

I'd suggest you edit your post

thewad

McKneff

There is mention of misinformation on the other 3threads I've written on about this.

McKneff

I agree, but the thing you are saying mostly is that you are not going to pay something that you have agreed to pay for.

Its up to you,

Hope you can afford the court costs and solicitors fees when they take you there because no doubt they will.

thewad

What I am saying is I agreed to pay for something based on the info the agent gave me, this was false info.
I'm still willing to pay something towards the costs but not what was initially agreed due to him basically lying.
Even the terms and conditions on their leaflet and on the paper I signed are suitably different.
Why are Trading Standards investigating them?