Conflicting owed amounts

handbag_handle

Hi all,

My elderly mother was sent a letter a few days ago from debt collectors Rossendale saying she owed them £50.99 to Carphone Warehouse.

Because she has not had a mobile contract with them for years, I called Rossendales asking when it was from. They told me the amount was from a bounced bank payment in April 2008.

I then called Carphone Warehouse asking them for details and they said the actual amount owed was in fact £269. They said there had been payments missed between Feb 2006 and July 2008 and they eventually disconnected the contract in 2009. I asked whether they could send me the bills for those months but they said they don't have them with it being so long ago.

Please can anyone give me some advice on what to do as the debt collectors have said they will take further action if I don't contact them in seven days and my mum has recently suffered illness and doesn't know if she actually owes that money.

Thank you

fermi

So if hers, when would she have last paid or acknowledged the debt in writing? 2006?

If in doubt, make the collector prove what it is and what is owed ---> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247

handbag_handle

Thanks for your advice.

Carphone Warehouse hasn't specified what date she last made a payment but it looks like there must have been some in that period because the contract was around £27 a month.

I was just completely shocked by how different the two amounts were and why the debt collectors are only asking for £50 if Carphone Warehouse say we owe more than £250.

Should I send that letter just to the debt collectors rather than the phone company?

handbag_handle

Sorry if it's a daft question but which company should I put in the template? Rossendales or Carphone Warehouse?

fermi

To whoever is demanding payment.