"Equidebt"

Jesthar

GeorgeUK wrote: »

I would send the letter above - if there is a debt owed, they first need to prove it belongs to your father (remember not to sign the letter - only print your name).

Question: (I'm curious!) If any of these underhand toerags use a sample signature provided to forge an 'original' agreement, can things still be dealt with in the normal way, or does that change things as they now have 'proof' of the alleged (and probably non-existant) debt?

PaulS43

Jesthar wrote: »

Question: (I'm curious!) If any of these underhand toerags use a sample signature provided to forge an 'original' agreement, can things still be dealt with in the normal way, or does that change things as they now have 'proof' of the alleged (and probably non-existant) debt?

If debt collection agencies are procuring signatures in order to forge credit agreements then hold innocent people to account responsible for their behaviour, I really believe a letter to the serious fraud office would be in order!

Sarah-Jane_2

Thank you for all the advice so far

Jesthar wrote: »

Incidentally, what other details are on the 'agreement' they have provided?

It's just name and address, signature, date of birth and the date. It's a really bad photocopy, very dark and you can't read any of the writing on the agreement (funny that, isn't it?:rolleyes:). It's sort of in my Dads handwriting, but as he's sent them handwritten letters I assume if they're not above copying signatures then they wouldn't be above writing in the same style as him either?

I've printed everything people have suggested for him, and will get him to read through when he gets back from work. He is 99.99999% sure the debt isn't his, so I assume the 'Statue Barred' letter is what he needs to send them? There is definitely no payment been made in the last 6 years, as he knew nothing about it until July last year.

Thanks everyone

eyeopener2

if you can't read the "agreement" they have sent it isn't worth the paper it's written on. it needs to be legible and have certain things on it like APR things like that.

Send the statute barred letter and if they continue report them to trading Standards and the Financial Ombudsmans Service.

Sarah-Jane_2

Statute barred letter ready to be posted

Thanks everyone

Jesthar

Sarah-Jane wrote: »

It's just name and address, signature, date of birth and the date. It's a really bad photocopy, very dark and you can't read any of the writing on the agreement (funny that, isn't it?:rolleyes:). It's sort of in my Dads handwriting, but as he's sent them handwritten letters I assume if they're not above copying signatures then they wouldn't be above writing in the same style as him either?

There's very little some of these companies wouldn't do! Rumour has it they only exist to give blackmailers and extortioners a legitimate career option and thus reduce the prison population...

Anyway, aside from the personal details, are their any legible financial details? Overdraft limit, interest rates - that kind of thing (depending on the type of accout they claim he had). I think it needs clearly show details like that, or it proves nothing (read something about this in a thread the other day, can't remember where...).

In short, they're trying it on in the hope you'll get scared and pay anyway - time to slam the door! Remember to not sign the letter, though.

One word of warning, they may not give up easily, so if you have any more contact/threats from them, come back for more help/support.

~Jes

Sarah-Jane_2

Jesthar wrote: »

Anyway, aside from the personal details, are their any legible financial details? Overdraft limit, interest rates - that kind of thing (depending on the type of accout they claim he had). I think it needs clearly show details like that, or it proves nothing (read something about this in a thread the other day, can't remember where...).

The only thing legible is a limit of £750, which is handwritten No interest rates or anything

minimee_2

The first thing I was going to say was, check the signature, they very well may have forged it.
Why else would they want copies of his ID before they sent it?
Heres a link that lists the things a CCA MUST be to be valid. Take a look.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=13043673&postcount=664

minimee_2

whats the date on it?
Sorry of you've already said.

MrsTinks

Remember that once a debt is statute barred it remains that way whether or not you make a payment towards the debt after it is legally statute barred.
Definitely compare the signature on the "agreement" with the documents your father sent them - and if he has anything from back then with a signature on then compare that too - Peoples signatures often tend to change either in small or big ways - my signature from 10 years ago is nothing like what it is now...
And realistically the most "secure" signature is block capitals - it's far easier for the untrained eye to spot differences in an easy to read signature than it is in a "scribble"
Also bear in mind the information your father sent them would have been a goldmine in a forgers hands - never ever send details like that - be it to a DCA (borderline criminal anyway) or anyone else. If it went missing in the post he could easily have his identity stolen!