Debt Collection letters - any way to stop?

zoonyx

Two quick questions that just popped into my head...

DVLA allow data access to those part of a trade body. Wrong, but it's how it is.

However, xyz Debt collectors are not, and therefore cannot get the data from DVLA. Therefore how come its OK for the PPC to pass my personal information over to the 3rd party debt collectors?

Also, is there any way to say "I will not be paying the invoice, please take me to court, or refrain from contacting me further" ?

I don't particularly care about the debt collection letters coming, but much like junk mail, if there is way, I'd rather not have to goto the effort of throwing it in the bin etc.

Herzlos

I suspect the passing of address to debt collectors is probably OK, since it's for a "valid" business use.

Unfortunately, whatever you tell the debt collectors, they'll ignore you and carry on anyway. Likely if you actually engage them in any dialogue, it'll take an extra 6+ months for them to give up because you've told them it's getting to you.

zoonyx

Just to argue the toss....

If a court then proved the ticket was invalid/no debt to pay etc, could you then say the data was passed illegally/against DPA? Especially if it was repeatedly proved.

enfield_freddy

I think if XYZ dept. collectors is registered with the information commissioner , its legal for them to have your info.




however you can (if you wish) write to them stating that you dispute the debt with "x" parking company , and ask them to pass the info back to them and no longer take action .


you can then kick off (furguson v british gas) http://www.5rb.com/case/ferguson-v-british-gas-trading-ltd/

Herzlos

zoonyx wrote: »

Just to argue the toss....

If a court then proved the ticket was invalid/no debt to pay etc, could you then say the data was passed illegally/against DPA? Especially if it was repeatedly proved.

It'd certainly be worth filing the complaints, with everyone (BPA/IPC, DVLA, ICO, TS), but I wouldn't expect it to get anywhere.

bazster

zoonyx wrote: »

Just to argue the toss....

If a court then proved the ticket was invalid/no debt to pay etc, could you then say the data was passed illegally/against DPA? Especially if it was repeatedly proved.

You can say it, but no-one will listen. The ICO position on complaints against DVLA is "we are not legally obliged to investigate every complaint made to us, and we like the DVLA so we don't investigate them".

Herzlos

It wouldn't hurt to get another complaint filed anyway though, as long as you don't expect anything to change directly.

zoonyx

Haha fair enough - everyone saying the same thing!

Iceweasel

zoonyx wrote: »

Also, is there any way to say "I will not be paying the invoice, please take me to court, or refrain from contacting me further" ?

I don't particularly care about the debt collection letters coming, but much like junk mail, if there is way, I'd rather not have to goto the effort of throwing it in the bin etc.

Appropriate wording I have used with debt collectors is:

This debt is denied.

I am therefore instructing you to cease and desist, please refer back to your client.

Any further communications/demands will be considered as harassment and appropriate actions will be taken in response.

Real debt collectors should back off at this - but some of the pretend cr*p that one can receive is from just another desk pen-pusher/key-board warrior in the PPC's ex-clamper portacabin, who pay no attention to any rules or etiquette.