Being pursued for money that isn't owed by me!

abbierhodes

Apologies, this is long, but I didn't want to miss details out.

Around 10 years ago, my then partner took out an account with an internet provider. He did everything in his name, except when he got to the debit card bit, he used my card. i didn't object too strongly at the time, as it was all 'our money' iyswim.

A couple of years later, we split. he switched to a different service provider, and this account was dormant, but still being paid by me.

When I realised I was still paying for it, I rang up the company and asked to cancel it. They refused to discuss the account with me as it was not in my name.

I rang my ex and asked him for the paperwork. he said he'd lost it.

I rang my bank and they were absolutely useless. I was told on several occasions that as it was a card payment, not a direct debit, it could not be cancelled without the company's permission.

I rang the company back- they wouldn't talk to me.

This cycle continued for years.

A few months ago, I finally got someone at my bank to admit the payment could be stopped. After much faffing about, the payments were stopped.

I now have a letter from a debt collection company (on behalf of this company) telling em I owe them money!

I have not had any contact from the company themselves.

I am fuming! They have had £30 per month from me for over 8 years, for absolutely nothing!!

What ON EARTH do I do??
Can anyone advise?
Thank you if you read all that!

wealdroam

If the company won't talk to you then clearly they have decided the contract is nothing to do with you.

They cannot have it both ways.

Is the letter addressed to you personally?

I would simply be pointing the debt collection agency back to the service provider.

Deny the debt is yours.

Sambucus_Nigra

It's a pity you didn't just close the account back then!

They can't take out of an account that doesn't exist any more.

But they can't have it both ways as mentioned.

abbierhodes

Thank you for posting wealdrome.
I have explained it to the debt collection company, but they just said that I have to pay it. I'm so frustrated.

Part of me wants to pay it to make them go away- but it's a lot of money to me. And it's the principle, too. I don't owe it. If anything they owe me, don't they?

abbierhodes

Thanks Sambucus. I know. I was a bit more naive then. Still don't know what to do now though

spacey2012

Send them a bill for 30 x 12 x 8.

Thank you for your correspondence but this account was cancelled 8 years ago and you had no authority to take any payments after cancellation .
As any information held will show the account as dormant as it was cancelled in accordance with terms and conditions.
I thank you for bringing it to my attention that you have been ripping me off for 8 years.
Please forward £2880 plus interest at 5% over 8 years within 14 days to avoid further action in the county court, this letter also serves as a letter before action.

abbierhodes

Spacey, I love that idea! But in all seriousness- would it work?
How do I get the debt collection people off my case? I'm a little scared of them.

wealdroam

I would be sending a "prove it" letter.

A sample, adjust it for your needs, can be found here...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/34910935#Comment_34910935
.

VitaK

It would be interesting to see how they prove how you are liable for a debt not in your name.

abbierhodes

aaargh! I have phoned them once again, and they are now saying the debt is in my name. BUT they STILL won't discuss the account with me as I cannot provide a password for an email address my ex set up 10 years ago!

1. I NEVER authorised him to use my name.
2. They never recieved any authorisation from me that the account could be set up- I never signed anything!
3. I don't have this password, I have no way of getting it and they absolutely will not discuss it with me without it.

Sorry for caps. I'm not shouting at any of you, obviously. I'm just soooooooo frustrated!

vaio

go with post #6