UPDATE 2! EquiDebt & CAS & NOW Marlin & Advantis - HELP PLEASE!

fermi

Equidebt now in trouble themselves.

http://www.credittoday.co.uk/article/15403/online-news/debt-buyer-in-administration

Steve_Warwickshire

Hi all.
PLEASE READ THIS

I have a VERY close relative who works for Equidebt, I will only refer to my relative as "my relative" to protect their identity from Equidebt for clear reasons.

My relative came up for coffee today(18 June 2013) and told me that
my relative's door entry card had been deactivated, my relative had to buzz for entry. when my relative entered the call centre/office, debt collectors( a skeleton staff) were telling phone callers that "Equidebt has today gone into administration".

my relative was then told to clear their desk and no redundancy would be paid.

How this will affect people who have dealings with Equidebt is unknown,no doubt the administrators will try to collect as much money as possible,bearing in mind that nearly all accounts held with Equidebt are unenforceable.

I hope this helps some of you.
:j :beer:

asmwp

Hi all, time for yet another update on this merry saga. With reference to this element of my earleir reply

There is one thing that is niggling me, the original letter from Equidebt referenced a company called MCE Portfolio, the retraction letter refers to a company called Marlin Financial Services, are they the same company? I have heard many horror stories in relation to Marlin's attempted recovery processes.

I have today recieved yet another letter from a company called 'advantis credit limited'. They state that they are working on behalf of their client 'Marlin Europe 1', here is that Marlin again. The letter then goes on to say the following

We have been instructed by our client, Marlin Europe 1 Limited {name of a bank}, to verify the current whereabouts of {my name}, formely resident at {an old address that I lived at some 14 years ago}, in relation to an outstanding business matter.

We are writing to varify that we have your correct contact address. If you are the person named above please contact on 0844 82 40 099 to discuss the business matter that requires your urgent attention.

Please accept our apologies if you are not the person named above. We would appreciate it if you would please call us on 0844 82 40 099 to confirm this so that we may update our records, this will prevent further unwanted or unsolicited letters and possible telephone calls

I still do not know what this debt refers to and they have provided no information about it. I thought after the last letter that I got from Equidebt that matter is resolved.

Any ideas as to what I should do now? I have no intention in of calling them as these things should never be discussed on the phone.

fermi

If me I would just email the same that you did to Equidebt, and CC in Marlin as well. [EMAIL="info@marlinfs.com"]info@marlinfs.com[/EMAIL]

asmwp

fermi wrote: »

If me I would just email the same that you did to Equidebt, and CC in Marlin as well. [EMAIL="info@marlinfs.com"]info@marlinfs.com[/EMAIL]

Thanks Femi, I really appreciate your help, so do you suggest I simply amend the complaint letter that I emailed to Equidebt and should I also send the same as recorded delivery to Advantis?

fermi

Yes, but I would make sure that you mention that you have already complained to Equidebt and what about, and as Marlin/Advantis are responsible for the conduct of their former representative then you will include this in any complaint that you make to the FOS and OFT about Advantis/Marlin.

Even if they go on to claim that this is yours from 14 years ago, it would be statute barred.

So I would at least hold something like this letter in reserve --> http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=34906257&postcount=5

asmwp

As always, great advice, thanks. I will let you know how i get on.

asmwp

Ok, I have posted, recorded delivery, the same complaint letter that I originally sent to Equidebt but with a prefix of fermi's suggestion highlighting that I will add their despicable behaviour will be including in any complaint that I may make. Now just have to wait for the usaul predictable response i suppose. Starting to get really fed up with this so i think my lawyer will be involved next.

asmwp

After sending the same letter that I previously sent to Equidebt I have recieved a reply that basically states that as I have replied that they are taking that as my confirming that I am who they are looking for, !!!!!!? They have put the account on hold for 21 days and say I can pay a pound to get the original credit agreement. I AM NOT THE PERSON THEY ARE AFTER!. What can I do now? :-(

abby1234519

Write them another letter advising them that you are complaining to the relevant ombudsman. I had something similar happen to me, I then sent a letter to the ombudsman including all correspondance between myself and the debt collector.

I also included a copy of the letter that I was sending to the ombudsman when I sent my letter back to the collector. This might not have been the right way to do it but it soon settled the matter.