Another Westcot Victim

lyndorset

I am in a DMP.

Moved to a lower rent home 10 months ago.

Really struggled to move - due to the expense of moving home.

Could not pay outgoing water bill - far higher thanit should have been, so, requested updated bill. Ie they wanted us to pay future standing charge. Did not get updated version.

Paid a bit that I could manage, offered to pay as per my dmp.

Stopped getting bills, so assumed landlord at old property had paid it.

Out of the blue I started getting strange harrasing phonecalls/messages several times a day from a random company, I did not kow what about. We are ex directory and do not give out our phone number unless really have to. Eventually I got out of them that they were called Westcot.

I then got a letter again threatening tone, from them. I responded, making the mistake of asking if it was for the old address and gave the old address. I asked them several qustions and informed them of the DMP and my offer th the water company. They threatend baliffs. I also informed them that I live in a furnished annex.

They sent another threatening letter, did not aknowledge my letter and it really upset me. I sent the MSE Prove It? letter. Soon after I was admitted to hospital on a 999 suspected TIA/Heart trouble. But the phone calls stopped.

I annot work out how they got my address or phone number.

I have now received a threatening letter from them telling me there is going to be a door step debt collection visit to my home. Due to the circumstances of my accomodation, I know this would result in my becoming homeless, my landlords would not tolarate those sorts on the property.

I am supposed to be avoiding stress and taking it easy. I am still undergoing hospital tests and treatment. I have read on here abou the OFT and beleive this company are breaking almost every rule in their treatment of me.

I am desperate to know how to respond to this last letter.

I will repay teh dept to the water company, but under the DMP terms.

lyndorset

Is there anyone who can help? I see great advice on other threads, but I get no replies. Desperate to know what to do next.

jojo1964

lyndorset wrote: »

Is there anyone who can help? I see great advice on other threads, but I get no replies. Desperate to know what to do next.

It's the weekend, some of the posters will have other things to do, give it time and I'm sure you will get a reply.

Naf

lyndorset wrote: »

Stopped getting bills, so assumed landlord at old property had paid it.

Really? Big mistake.

It doesn't sound to me like they've broken any rules or laws in the way they have treated you; the letters are very standard ones, and to their mind it is you who has failed to address the issue.

Was your water bill included in your DMP, it doesn't sound like it was. Just because you are already in a DMP doesn't mean that new debts/arrears are suddenly included or obliged to make any special arrangements.

All you can do is make them a reasonable offer, in writing by recorded delivery (if they can get away with claiming they didn't receive it then they will, as you have seen already). Having made the offer, then start paying it - by cheque/postal order if necessary so you can prove they received your payments. Chances are if they're receiving payments of some kind, and you've told them you're in a DMP then they're unlikely to take further action.

sourcrates

Don't be worried about there threat of a "doorstep collection agent" this is designed to scare you into paying something, only a bailiff appointed by a court can access your property, these people have no more legal power than you or I have, you can simply ignore them or tell them to sod off, they have no power whatsoever, make the DCA an offer of £1 a week if that's all you can afford, put it in writing, and also state that "you are removing there implied right of access to your property, you must only contact me about this matter by post" you see they cannot visit you without an appointment, if you remove there implied right of access, and they knock on your door, they are committing trespass, and you can have the police on them, there letters are designed to scare you, don't be fooled by them. Hope you sort things out, good luck.