Connaught Collections 'Statutory Demand'

shell_girl

Hey all.

I've started this thread as I keep seeing reference to this lovely organisation sending out 'statutory demands' (quote marks as I'm not entirely sure if they're real or not as yet).

They seem to have been incredibly busy over the last couple of weeks with these, so if you've had one, or have experience with this company please post! Hopefully if we all get together and compare notes we can get through this together.

To get us started, my debt with them is for £1555.50 and I've had the 'letter before issue of Statutory Demand'. I've replied with a request for the original CCA- don't know if this was the right thing to do but fingers crossed it'll help.

Any horror stories or advice very welcome!!

rog2

Good idea, s_g, but it's not JUST Connaught, although I agree they appear to be unduly aggressive in using this particular form of bullying tactic.

The Office of Fair Trading guidelines on debt collection state that it is misleading/unfair practice to:

Section 2.2 a; " use of official looking documents intended or likely to mislead debtors as to their status, for example, documents made to resemble court claims."

It goes on to say:

Section 2.4 b; "falsely implying or stating that action can or will be taken when it legally can not, for example, referring to bankruptcy or sequestration proceedings when the balance is too low to qualify for such proceedings..."

The WHOLE document can be viewed, and downloaded, at the following link:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

Connaught, and others, will state that they ONLY send these 'Statutory Demand' letters to debtors who owe more than £750, but experience, here, shows that they are totally indiscriminate with these threatening letters.

By 'jumping in' with such threats, many debtors are so frightened that they will pay up without question, even before confirming that the 'alleged debts' are even genuine, or collectable in the first place.

We should do more, in this country, to ensure that debtors are aware of their rights.

RAS

Agree with Rog

The more people realise their rights and report DCa who send misleading documents or make unfounded threats the soooner the situation will be cleared up.

I would suggest a campaign to report DCAs to Trading Standards whenever they send out a "letter before Statutory demand" or a "statutory demand". Th best place is the TS in the area where the DCA operate as they are the ones who monitor compliance regarding registration. your local TS can do nothing much.