I Feel Stupid: had over by SRJ debt recovery

Weird_Nev

Ok, long story short:

• Emigrated November 2012.
• Called all utility suppliers, BT included, and closed down accounts. Specifically asked BT "is there any more to pay?" The phone lady said "No, your last direct debit will come out and that's it".
• Equifax record shows BT account finalised as of Jan 2013, no defaults. (it picked up a late payment on my T-Moblie account which I have sorted out)
• Last week we got a panicked email from the Inlaws: a letter from SRJ was threatening bailiffs over a £118 debt passed from BT. OPening more post showed this to be the third such letter.
• In laws were only able to forward me the reference and contact phone number.
• I tried to phone BT but since I no longer have our customer reference number I could not get past the security robot. Online chat only confirmed that the debt had been passed to a debt recovery agent.
• Like a fool, I phoned SRJ
• I asked if the debt was only the debt amount, or were there fees included - The woman replied that it was only the debt amount and no fees were added.
• I asked could I get a receipt emailed to me if I paid by phone. She told me I could log into their web portal and download all documentation showing the account to be settled.
• Like a fool, I paid there and then over the phone by debit card as I wanted it dealt with.

Now comes the fun bit:

• On logging on to SRJ website, I was able to briefly view one of the letters, the most recent, showing that the amount was in fact £89 debt + 25% fee. So the agent lied to me about what I was paying for.
• A few minutes later, as I was trying to retrieve all the documents and my receipt to show the account clear, the "login" account disappeared and all the documents did too. as such I only have one Pdf that was open in another tab!

Where to go from here? I feel I've been ripped off twice. Once by BT who told me the account was settled 8 months ago, and once by SRJ who lied to me about what I was paying for over the phone. Oh how I wish I'd paid by credit card now!


I've not been in this situation before, and it's not the money that matters to me, it's the principle.


Communications are restricted because I'm in Australia so the time zone is difficult and postage is slow and expensive. Phone calls to certain numbers are 1$/minute making long phone calls expensive.


Who should I turn to? Is it too late?:mad:

matttye

I'm pretty sure you're still entitled to proof that you owed the debt and a full breakdown of the actual debt plus fees. You should write to them asking this.

Clearly you only paid it out of concern and to get them off your in laws' backs, without fully believing you actually owe it. Therefore you should follow the same principles as you would if you had not paid it and knew nothing about the debt - by sending a 'prove it' letter of sorts. Although you should slightly adapt it as you've already paid.

Look at the sticky threads in this forum, as they have a 'prove it' template.

plumber999

I received an srj letter last week. After reading the advice from MSE i ignored it. I got another letter, from srj, today. It said I owe £1200.00 with bt. The name of the eprson was the same as mine, the difference was that they had a previous birmingham address, to which they were referring. I have never lived in b'ham.
I contacted BT, who arranged a conference call with srj. They said it was an incorrect trace, and would remove my name. and address. Hopefully this will be the last I hear. I have the BT contact name, and SRJ. Any more hassle, and I will go to police for harassment, lol! Should be ok though!