ISP debt demand out of the blue

DonQuibeats

Hello

I have been stunned this morning by an unexpected letter from Vodafone / Demon Internet / Thus / whatever they're called nowadays and would welcome any opinions.

I have been a Demon customer for 18 years and although there have been some periods of very poor service in that time, they've mostly been fine so I've stuck with them. (Not any more.)

Now I've received a legitimate-looking letter demanding over £400 in outstanding debt. The letter contains very little information, but having just phoned their Customer Services, I was told that the credit card registered for my account payment has been bouncing since November 2011- and now, over 18 months later, they have finally bothered to tell me about it.

I have monthly e-billing e-mails from them telling me that the account situation is all normal. They have NEVER prior to this letter told me that there was a problem, and yet suddenly they claim I owe them over £400.

Yes, I did not spot that payment was not being taken. I always check my credit card bills to ensure that the items on there are legit and I haven't been defrauded- but what I DON'T do is check whether any items that should be on my bill are mysteriously missing. How many people actually do this?

So now I'm pursuing advice about where I stand on this, and whether they have any right to claim this money despite their complete incompetence...?

Any comments would be welcome, whether or not it's what I'm waiting to hear...

Thanks

'DonQuibeats'

NiftyDigits

If you haven't paid, pay them. What's the problem?

If money is tight, make an arrangement with them.

DonQuibeats

Mr. NiftyDigits! What a small world. We can debate this on Monday...

Inability to pay is not the problem. My issue with the situation is rooted in their incompetence, the fact they've never contacted me about it yet they've passed my details to a Debt Collection Agency, and their threatening tone on top.

Surely the responsibility lies with them to at least notify me of any outstanding balance.

Imagine if you had an emergency backup credit card you didn't use, and you didn't receive any statements for 18 months, and then spontaneously out of the blue you got a statement saying "you've owed us money for over a year and although we didn't tell you anything about it, we now threateningly demand you pay it all in 10 days." Well it's like that, isn't it?

NiftyDigits

DonQuibeats wrote: »

Mr. NiftyDigits! What a small world. We can debate this on Monday...

Inability to pay is not the problem. My issue with the situation is rooted in their incompetence, the fact they've never contacted me about it yet they've passed my details to a Debt Collection Agency, and their threatening tone on top.

Surely the responsibility lies with them to at least notify me of any outstanding balance.

Imagine if you had an emergency backup credit card you didn't use, and you didn't receive any statements for 18 months, and then spontaneously out of the blue you got a statement saying "you've owed us money for over a year and although we didn't tell you anything about it, we now threateningly demand you pay it all in 10 days." Well it's like that, isn't it?

?? Are you posting under a different username to cloak your other identity?

You didn't mention a debt collection agency in your original post. Nevertheless, this is the wrong board for this kind of thing.
Have a look, there will be be more suitable places to post for advice, as it's not really Internet related.

Buzby

They can claim back up to 6 years, but it is payable on demand. They may be prepared to offer a discount for an immediate settlement.

It seems you were receiving bills/invoices for service NOT a statement, which would show credits - so inaccuracy would not be an issue.

DonQuibeats

No different username- I'm new to these forums. It's just that in real life I happen to work sitting right next to a man who uses Nifty Digits as a company/portfolio name and I'm assuming that's you. Googling my username will quickly tell who I am too. Like I said, small world... and if there is more than one Nifty Digits in the world, please accept my apologies.

You're right about it being the wrong forum. I shall repost- mentioning the debt agency- in a different area.

Thanks

Quentin

You do owe it.

Their poor credit control has acted in your favour!

Ask to pay this off on the drip to get even more advantages!

NiftyDigits

DonQuibeats wrote: »

No different username- I'm new to these forums. It's just that in real life I happen to work sitting right next to a man who uses Nifty Digits as a company/portfolio name and I'm assuming that's you. Googling my username will quickly tell who I am too. Like I said, small world... and if there is more than one Nifty Digits in the world, please accept my apologies.

You're right about it being the wrong forum. I shall repost- mentioning the debt agency- in a different area.

Thanks

Someone has stolen my username?!?! At least you can furnish me with his details so that I can sue for copyright.

DonQuibeats

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Someone has stolen my username?!?! At least you can furnish me with his details so that I can sue for copyright.

I'm genuinely surprised if that isn't you (if you see what I mean)- you even sound like him.

In a Google search, he's the first result for "nifty digits" and he registered the .com domain in 2007. If you have a copyright claim that pre-dates that then I'll be sure to mention it to him.

NiftyDigits

DonQuibeats wrote: »

I'm genuinely surprised if that isn't you (if you see what I mean)- you even sound like him.

In a Google search, he's the first result for "nifty digits" and he registered the .com domain in 2007. If you have a copyright claim that pre-dates that then I'll be sure to mention it to him.

Probably best that no more is said. I'm willing to drop the matter.

DonQuibeats

My apologies for confusing you with a different Mr. Digits...