Fake Debt Management Companies

Kookoocachu

Hi all,

I had a debt from a closed HSBC account which defaulted in Feb '09, It was a very difficult time and I came out of the abusive relationship that caused me the debt to begin with trying to settle all my debts and sort out the mess I had been left in. A management company offered me a full and final settlement of about half of the debt (£400 and something down to £200 and something) and I managed to pay them and the matter was settled.

Last month I was contacted by MK something something informing me that the original debt was still outstanding. I explained the situation to them and that I thought the matter was settled, and explained to them my current situation, as I'm now disabled and a single parent looking desperately for work. They were extremely helpful and reassuring, but I'm now extremely worried that the money that I paid was to a fake debt management company.

Because of the situation at the time, I had to go into a womans refuge with nothing but the clothes on mine and my son's backs, so I have no papers, no proof of paying anyone anything, and the person who I gave the money to pay the company over the phone with his card I'm not in contact with anymore or have any way of getting hold of him.

The collections company called me again today to update me on what's going on their end, they're conducting their own investigations and hoping that the company I paid was legit and we will get to the bottom of all this. The lady who I've been speaking to has been great and very understanding, and has told me above everything to not worry because they now have the debt and they know my current situation and would never put me under any financial stress. My whole account in on hold until the end of October regardless.

I've been searching the internet trying to find examples of fake debt management companies, to see if any names jog my memory as I can't remember a thing I have MS and my memory is awful.

Has anyone experienced fake companies? Or know of any examples?

Growurown

Kookoocachu wrote: »

Has anyone experienced fake companies? Or know of any examples?

Hi Kookoocachu, sorry no I don't know of any fake companies. I'm sorry to hear about your situation and hope you manage to get it sorted asap. Would your bank have records of any payments?

~Beanie~

You could get a copy of your credit file and see if its marked down as settled on there.

Kookoocachu

I haven't banks with HSBC since but the company who now own the debt are doing there own investigations and will be asking HSBC if they have had any similar cases that they know of.

As for my credit file it's something I've checked often for a couple of years now and it has only shown up on there since I was contacted last month by this current company.

fermi

Do you mean a debt management company or a debt collection company? There is a big difference.

tallyhoh

Is it possible that the person you gave the money to didn't pay it on their card?