Debt collection demanding incorrect figure

redjay_2

Hi I don't know if you can advise me. I have an issue that I am not sure what to do next.

My husband had a small debt with a ppi claims company that we believed had been paid. We heard nothing from them for a year or so and then out of the blue a couple of weeks ago we had a letter from a debt collection agency saying that we owed them £1245.00. I was totally shocked and really upset. This letter made me feel utterly sick and I could not sleep all that weekend.

I contacted them and said that there must be some mistake there was no way that this was correct. I still received emails and letters demanding payment for the £1245. I contacted them again and asked them to contact the company that had said we owed money.

I had an email today with some paperwork attached from the debt claims company and they said there was a mistake and that we only owed £220 including the debt collection fees. (original debt) £160

I feel really cross and upset. This matter has caused me lots of worry and upset. What if I had of paid them this money they would have got over a thousand pounds from us for nothing?

I am worried that this company may do this to other people that might not query the amount. Some little old lady that might be frightened into paying money that she does not owe. Can I report them to someone?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Monkeyballs

Hi Red,

I'm not sure what you are asking for? It's either been A) a genuine mistake for which at best I imagine you'd get an apology or an attempt to rip you off (or just a tactic to get you to get in touch sharpish and breath a sigh of relief at just having to pay a much smaller amount).

You could make a complaint to someone like the FOS but I don't think anything would come of it as they'd likely just argue that it was a simple admin error which can happen to the best of us...

MB

sourcrates

redjay wrote: »

I had an email today with some paperwork attached from the debt claims company and they said there was a mistake and that we only owed £220 including the debt collection fees. (original debt) £160

I feel really cross and upset. This matter has caused me lots of worry and upset. What if I had of paid them this money they would have got over a thousand pounds from us for nothing?

Hi,


A written complaint to there customer service centre would be appropriate.


I would not pay anything as yet, I would ask for a breakdown of the bill, and an explanation.


If the DCA becomes annoying, write and tell them the debt is in dispute, and you are dealing with the original creditor.

harveybobbles

Stay off the phone. Don't email either. Keep everything in writing.

DCA's are not allowed to add their own fees. Ask for a copy of their compliants procedure and send the ma CCA request while you're at it.