BPO collections - Unknown debt?

weaz1981

Update: Spoke to the CCCS who advised me to speak to the council. Had a good conversation with a lady at the council who took the time to go through 8 years of history and explained all the notes. She sent a letter to my old landlord and advised me to get some evidence then tell dpo that I'm seeking evidence. Explained to DPO and they were happy to get back to me in two weeks and if required, will put another delay on it.

I managed to find a bank statement that if they accept, I have already cut the fine in two. Need to try and find more stuff to cut it further as it should only be for 4 months when they have me there for 24!!

Hopefully they will accept my evidence...

Jiffster

Well, I sent the letter on the 17th of May, requesting for them to contact me within 14 days to explain what the debt is and prove that I owe it. I haven't heard anything at all.

Bwth83

Can anyone help??

I was paying Scott+co until last month then I got a call from BPO saying they had taken over. I'm now paying them.

I got a letter today from Scott+co today to say they are taking me to court for not paying them, I've been charged an arrestment fee of £25.00 and a court order of £85.46 both of which have been taken out of my bank account.

I'm really angry and confused, who is actually dealing with GCC Council Tax Arrears???

vax2002

Bwth83 wrote: »

Can anyone help??

I was paying Scott+co until last month then I got a call from BPO saying they had taken over. I'm now paying them.

I got a letter today from Scott+co today to say they are taking me to court for not paying them, I've been charged an arrestment fee of £25.00 and a court order of £85.46 both of which have been taken out of my bank account.

I'm really angry and confused, who is actually dealing with GCC Council Tax Arrears???

Why have you given a debt collector a direct debit ?
Very foolish, always use a standing order.
Contact the bank and ask them to recover the amounts under the direct debit scheme as unauthorised transactions.

scottishmoonraker

I'm also freaking out here. Received a letter from BPO after a week in hospital (perfect welcome home present) saying I owe GCC 226.68 but not detailied for what and when. I left Glasgow in 2009 and have received no correspondence from the council themselves?

I also had the same threatening sign off

"Failure to pay this amount will leave us no alternative than to recommend to our client that legal action or a home visit may be the only option we have to recover the outstanding balance due."

As an opening letter that's pretty sharp.

Any advice gratefully received.

C

DVardysShadow

scottishmoonraker wrote: »

I'm also freaking out here. Received a letter from BPO after a week in hospital (perfect welcome home present) saying I owe GCC 226.68 but not detailied for what and when. I left Glasgow in 2009 and have received no correspondence from the council themselves?

I also had the same threatening sign off

"Failure to pay this amount will leave us no alternative than to recommend to our client that legal action or a home visit may be the only option we have to recover the outstanding balance due."

As an opening letter that's pretty sharp.

Any advice gratefully received.

C

Respond to the above on the new thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3999383

weaz1981

Update: After speaking to some nice people in GCC and getting a copy of my bank statement they have taken my word and my debt has been reduced from £2,300 to £87.11 - over the moon.

Still have to pay through BPO but have only called them twice to tell them it was still under investigation.

:j

Jiffster

Well, I finally received a reply from BPO on the 5th of June 2012, it read -

"Date: 05/06/2012

I write in response to your letter dated 17/05/12.

The above outstanding balance relates to the proerty you previously occupied/ *address*, and the arrears of £338.72 have accrued from the period 01/04/2004 till 19/11/2004.

In light of this, please contact our office on 0141 301 8000 to make payment by credit or debit card.

Please note, failure to resolve the above outstanding balance, may leave us no option but to advise our client that further may be required to recover the monies outstanding.

Yours Sincerely

Miss Lynsey O'Donnell
BPO Collections Ltd."

So, I did live at that address, but to my knowledge I had cleared all utilities and council tax when vacating the property, as I recall this being a prerequisite with the letting agent at the time. That being said, I can't be sure that they aren't right and that I do owe the money. If that's the case, obviously I will have to pay it, however I've been wondering why it has taken such a long time to contact me about it, and how they can be so scathing and threatening in communications given the time that has passed... I was considering my reply carefully, when another letter, dated 8 days from the one above landed on my doormat -

"Date: 13 June 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

FINAL NOTICE - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

You have ignored all our previous attempts to contact you and resolve your outstanding balance due to our client.

This does not negate or remove your liability to repay this outstanding amount and should we not hear from you in the next 14 days we have no option but to recommend to our client to pursue you for payment by legal proceedings or a home visit.

Payment is due immediately and may be made by:
Credit/Debit card or Direct Debit by telephoning 0141 301 8079
Or Online at *website*

Should you be in financial difficulty and require further advice or assistance, this is available from the Glasgow Advice and Information Network (GAIN) on 08088011011 or alternatively visit the website *website*

For and on behalf of
*Illegible signature*
BPO Collections
Recoveries Department"

Well, this certainly is a rather quick FINAL NOTICE and a particularly threatening one at that... Surely since it's a debt that has yet to be verified to me and one that is 8 years and 3 months old, is it reasonable for them to be so aggressive so quickly?

Does anyone have any advice as to what I should do?

Thanks
-Alan

Jiffster

Any advice at all on this?

I'm really quite annoyed at how BPO have made me feel like I'm the one that has done something wrong here when they are writing threatening letters to me about an unproven debt that is more than 8 years old : /

Thanks,
-al

smarf2000

I have also just received one of these letters, however, due to the fact BPO are NOT glasgow city councils debt collectors, the letter was not dated and had no name below the signature, I have binned it, in order to get the deposit back for the property i had to produce a zero balance bill, my guess is its a scam.