DLC letter - REFUND?!

rsjg80

Surely this is a scam?!

Many years ago I was in debt, heavily so. But 7/8 years on and I'm now completely debt free, credit report is clear and I even have savings.

So when a letter dropped through the door saying it was from DLC I shuddered, until I read it and it stated;

Please be advised that this account is closed and due to an overpayment you are now entitled to a refund. Please contact us on 08002300031

What?! Now I'm not calling them, I don't do that. Most of me wants to bin it and forget it...but a refund...Has anyone else received a letter like this?

I've contacted DLC directly by email (not using details on this letter to ensure it's not a phishing scam) and given them no new information but asked for clarification on authenticity and fact all my debts are long gone. If they want to contact me it has to be email/letter and if a refund is due to send a cheque to the address they must have on file.

I'm 99% sure this is rubbish, but not sure what they gain from it...any views?

dizzyblonde82

Googled the number and the following came up:

I.D.S
This is a debt collection agency, and they are sending letters out saying your account has now been paid in full but due to an overpayment you are now entitled to a refund....this is a dirty trick to get you to call them. Don't fall for their scam

By Ruth on 13/2/16
I have had constant calls from this number.it is dlc. They are a debt collection agency.
I've now had 2 of their letters claiming that they owe me a refund.
Caller: Dlc
Caller Type: Debt Collector

Stevie_Palimo

They cannot send a letter to say you are due a refund and then use this to entice you to make contact and then chase up another debt, They would be in serious breach of the rules that are laid out to govern debt collection agencies and the like.

If that did happen which I would be 1000% is not the case then pull them over the coals due to it, You have a refund and it may be pennies up to a hundreds depending upon what happened.

Just seen above post :- See what they come back with via email but if they state that you owe money then this is a very dirty trick to try and I would raise it with the relevant governing bodies straight away.

http://www.csa-uk.com/

http://financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

sourcrates

Hi,

Steve is correct, any debt collector using tactics such as you describe would lose there consumer credit licence quicker than you can blink.

Having said that I would still be cautious.

This subject was raised a few months ago by another poster, and about, I think, the same company, and after receiving a similar letter.

That one turned out to be genuine, they had, at some point in the past, overpaid, and received a refund.

You have nothing to lose by ringing them, exercise caution, hide, and don't give away your number, they can't trace your call that way.

MrsTinks

Do let us know if it's genuine or not though if you call or email them - if they are using underhand tactics then it's important we can warn other posters... And obviously we can help advise you on how to deal with them if they have!

fatbelly

I have heard of this happening where the FCA have leaned on them to do it, so suspect this may be genuine.

The situation I remember is where they took money against a statute barred debt at a Scotland address. Regular readers will know that legislation there means the debt is extinguished if not acknowledged for 5 years. They were therefore collecting against a debt that did not exist and had to refund the money.

rsjg80

I will of course keep you updated, but I doubt it'll be a quick conclusion to the story - if there ever is one.

Just for a little bit more context, I'm in England, I settled a debt that I seem to recall had the reference number they refer to (but can't be sure of) but this was all before it was barred, in fact they only dropped off my credit report last year. Can't see how I can have over paid on something I didn't pay in full.

We'll see...

rsjg80

This has been concluded and, to my surprise, it was genuine!

To summarise; got letter, didn't believe it or the contact details so emailed company directly to avoid any phishing scam and told them to write if they needed to speak to me.

Today, a letter drops through my door with a cheque for just over £100! No idea why I'm being refunded any money, there is no explanation but quite pleased!

Credit card was settled/ statute barred ages ago but will keep refund letter just in case.

So if you get one of these letters, don't just bin it like I was tempted to - just protect yourself and see what they want.

sourcrates

rsjg80 wrote: »

This has been concluded and, to my surprise, it was genuine!

To summarise; got letter, didn't believe it or the contact details so emailed company directly to avoid any phishing scam and told them to write if they needed to speak to me.

Today, a letter drops through my door with a cheque for just over £100! No idea why I'm being refunded any money, there is no explanation but quite pleased!

Credit card was settled/ statute barred ages ago but will keep refund letter just in case.

So if you get one of these letters, don't just bin it like I was tempted to - just protect yourself and see what they want.

Thats debt collectors for ya, secret squirrels to the end !!!

Well done anyway !!