3 and the Great Dongle Scam

PoppyJH

Today I received a letter from 3 claiming that I owed them £240. FOUR years ago, I took out a contract for an Internet dongle, that did not work once. After many, many phone calls, 3 established that there were no mobile masts in my area and that it wasn't likely to work, even after new masts were installed at unknown date. As a result, it was agreed I would terminate the 2 year contract early. Not once was a fee mentioned. I duly cancelled the direct debit and sent the useless piece of kit back. Now, THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER, after no further contact, 3 and a debt collecting company are demanding I pay them the £240 I 'owe' them. Having spoken to 3 today, they know nothing about it as they have 'dropped my account', and the debt company, Lowell Portfolio I Ltd, are now in charge. I have refused to pay as I think this is ridiculous. But I was wondering what my rights were and how I can get out of this?

andyuk2005

3 would have sold the debt onto the collection agency, and its in the collection agencies interest to collect the debt outstanding. I suspect 3 won't have anything to do with it anymore. To the collection agency, its just a debt which needs paying, regardless of what actually happened.

I would say you're not liable to pay the debt as its clear that between you and 3 that there was a termination of contract as they were not able to fulfil their side by not being able to provide you with service. Clearly 3 shouldn't have sold the debt on, it must be a mistake. To be honest it'll be more a nightmare to get sorted now that 3 don't owe the debt!

I would explain the situation to the collection agency (don't listen to their crap about you having a legal duty to pay it, and don't give in to their threats) and make it clear that it was 3 which couldn't uphold their end of the contract as their was no service. I would record the conversation too (you don't have to tell them you're recording) in case they use unfair threats etc. Explain that there shouldn't have been an outstanding balance in the first place, and that if they want to pursue it further then they'll have to collect evidence to show that 3 did provide the service.

If they're real hard !!!!!!, then they'll threaten you with court. If it comes down to it (which I doubt it will as its not a huge debt) then your end of the story will hold up in court I'd say. Try and go back over old emails etc, dates, or anything else as proof.

You'll be fine, its just a nightmare to sort out because essentially someone in head office messed up.