DCA + Prove it letter

LL30

Evening,

I directed someone I'm working with to the NDL website for a prove it letter template after receiving 2 letters from Capquest for 2 statute barred debts (definitely SB). The letters were sent and in the meantime Capquest sent letters offering a full and final for 10% of the actual debts - smells like they know they're in the doo doo to me. Anyway, they responded to the prove it by stating they wanted clarity as to what the dispute was with the debts, and set a time frame for a response. They are basically stating that they do not understand what the prove it letter is saying...although having had a look at it, it reads fairly clearly to me.

This isn't my area of expertise, so I don't advise directly but I do point people in the right direction however I'm not sure what the best way to point them is now? Maybe direct them towards a statute barred letter? Or is there a 'better' prove it letter?

Thanks

sourcrates

You should send the statute barred letter :

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/Pages/Time-has-run-out-to-recover-the-debt-%28sole-name%29.aspx

Puts the ball in there court.

LL30

Great thanks, will pass this on. Client is considering taking up the F&F as it's such a massive discount, but I said hang fire until I can find out more.

Is this something DCAs do a lot? It's not something I've encountered before, I've seen a fair few send back rubbish as an attempt to 'prove it', but not claim they don't understand the letter!

sourcrates

Stalling tactic, hoping you'll get bored, and pay up.

If it's SB, then once you've told them, if they can't prove otherwise, that should be the end if it.

LL30

I figured it was some kind of tactic, but couldn't quite figure why owning up to having poor comprehension skills would be a good way to do it

Thanks for the advice, it is definitely SB from what I've been shown - they were on a DMP that failed September 2010 and this is the first contact since then.

Good old MSE helping out again. I've gleaned info from here for years and it has helped out 100s of clients by me being able to signpost correctly.

National_Debtline

Hi

The prove it letter you sent is simply saying the debtor has no knowledge of the debt. The dispute is that it’s owed at all. It’s most likely tactics to try and receive a payment of some kind, a sourcrates pointed out.

James
@natdebtline