Creditlink Account Recovery (C.A.R.S)

debtpeevedsortout

Hi there,
This is my first time posting, so apologises in advance if this thread is in the wrong place or something.

But something has just got me deep in thought, to the point of anger. And as it's 3.32am I needed to 1) Vent my anger somewhere 2) See if anyone else had experienced this.

My scenario: Not always been amazing when it comes to debt. But as I've got older I am rapidly improving. So I am not saying that in the situation I am about to explain I am totally the innocent party!

Anyway, I got a bit behind on some Direct Debits in January. This is completely my fault, but myself and partner were setting up a new business and I was also running my other business on my own whilst business partner was on holiday for jan. So it all got a bit much, and I failed some Direct Debits. I have since got back up to date.

Anyway (!), On Monday 24th February 2014, I received a text from 'HFAXINS' and the text read: Could Mr ***** please contact Halifax Insurance URGENTLY on 01256306933 quoting Ref No ********

I have home insurance and car insurance with Halifax. so it didn't occur anything could be strange.

So I thought this must be one of the failed DD's and rang back without hesitation.

I don't have memory of what the lady said when answering, but being quite a confident person I basically told HER that this relates to a failed DD and yes I would make the payment just so I could sort quickly and get back to dealing with my children. So I paid just over £40 there and then. She wanted to transfer me to someone else as I asked whether the DD would now be reinstated. But I was genuinely too busy and said I'd call back tomorrow to discuss.

Anyway, today I have checked my bank statement and a debit card payment was taken for the amount I paid but it was not from halifax, but from something described as 'C.A.R.S'. I then realised that I wasn't behind on any of my Halifax DD's.

A quick google search tells me that 'C.A.R.S' is an abbreviation of Creditlink Account Recovery Serviced Ltd based in Basingstoke.

The reason I decided to mention my past history of poor credit is because there is a possibility that C.A.R.S have been sold an old debt of some sort of mine. I make no bones about that and am happy to sort this aspect out.

But my question's are:
1) Has anyone else wrongly been text or emailed with "Halifax" or another bank stated? Because assuming they are unconnected to Halifax I would imagine they are breaking the law in some respect.
2) Perhaps they have a right to claim to be halifax??(Seem's like a silly question, but worth asking!) Does anyone know?
3) And before I get on the phone to them to discuss, does anyone have any advice on the strongest form of dealing with them?
4) Or if I was to sit on the fence.... Is this practise perfectly legal and allowed and I have zero rights?

Other than the above questions, I wanted to post this in case anyone else has a similar situation? I have looked online briefly to see if I can find similar cases, but with no luck. But please do let me know any opinion's, thoughts, experiences that are similar. And assuming they are getting to people to call under false pretences, what you think the best course of action would be.

Thank you so much and my apologises for the long drawn out message!

Tixy

Not heard of anyone in a similar situation.

I would suggest contacting your bank and specifically stating that you haven't authorised any further payment to CARS and that you want to ensure that they haven't tried to set up a CPA.

If this is an old debt and nothing to do with halifax then this would definitely not be in accordance with the OFT guidelines on debt collection.

It is hard to advise further without you knowing what the debt/payment was for.
I guess I would try to get them to write to you with details of the alleged debt to start with. Once you have that it should be easier to make a formal complaint about what they have done.

Might be worth a call to halifax insurance to ensure it is nothing to do with them first?

Useful link
UPDATED OFT Guidance on Debt Collection - READ IF YOU ARE BEING HASSLED UNFAIRLY

If it isn't to do with halifax then they have broken the first 3 bullets from 3.1 and 3.3 c & d and possibly more.