Credit card --- consumer credit act protection?

Nomove

Any help on this appreciated:

I put down 7,500 by credit card plus 2,500 in Cash in March 2006 with a construction company to secure an investment plot. We were promised a choice between a house (at discount of 20%) or the equivalent in money (25K) after a six-month construction period. In October 2006 when the money or house was due, the solicitor had disappeared. We contacted the company director who made excuses about delays, but credible excuses. We were asked to wait for a few months. Then we were told the project had failed and that we would be recompensed from another site. Few more month went and we received a 25% refund, but no investment plot nor any profit. We were promised the remaining last week but it didn't materialise. How do we stand? The company is shady, and will probably show as insolvent if sued. Can the credit card company be approached and how? Any help appreciated.

jamalfatty

Would imagine it depends on how you paid them? Was it a direct purchase on the credit card, or did you take cash out from credit card to pay them with? If latter I wouldnt fancy your chances.
I'd give them a ring though either way to see where you stand.

Nomove

Hi Jamal,

Well, I paid the company 7,500 via the credit card (gave them the details) and 2,500 as a bank transfer to the solicitor. The credit card statements showed up a hotel name. I many months later (when we were not paid) searched up and found the hotel and the director told me that yes this construction guy was staying her for many months and he was allowed to use our credit card facility. He then disappeared without paying his bill!!! The director was so saddened by the behaviour of this young chap, who he had seen as his son. He had traced him up and had reassurance of repayment, but nothing came of it.

maxmycardagain

do a search on the company at company house, pay the £1 to get the directors names/addresses

tell your credit card company, and ask to have your card stopped asap.

when you have the directors names/addresses do a letter or send a ccj asap

Iamthesmartestmanalive

It sounds to me you wont have a claim as this guy didnt take the money himself

He used details to pay other firms, now you could report this to your bank as fraudulent activity which it is but they will probably hold you liable for giving the third party the details and not raising the issue earlier

It sounds like you have been well and truly scammed, Id involve the police and start a civil case but I cant see you having any luck

Nomove

Hi Smartest Man,

I gave the credit card details to the construction company, not to the hotel. When I asked after I got my statement, I was told that they own the hotel! This was of course five months before the money was due, so we didn't worry. Now it is 12 months after. The hotel is still there.

The company also still has a registered address and a director (the father of the person who took the card details and really set it all up--a real scammer according to his estranged step mother). I am still in contact with the director/father who has repeatedly promised repayment. It just hasn't come.

It also transpires in all our investigations that they aren't really builders but simply buy land, get planning and resell, so speculators.

Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Is land/house deposit a 'good' under the consumer credit act?

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Nomove wrote: »

Hi Smartest Man,

I gave the credit card details to the construction company, not to the hotel. When I asked after I got my statement, I was told that they own the hotel! This was of course five months before the money was due, so we didn't worry. Now it is 12 months after. The hotel is still there.

The company also still has a registered address and a director (the father of the person who took the card details and really set it all up--a real scammer according to his estranged step mother). I am still in contact with the director/father who has repeatedly promised repayment. It just hasn't come.

It also transpires in all our investigations that they aren't really builders but simply buy land, get planning and resell, so speculators.



Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Is land/house deposit a 'good' under the consumer credit act?

The consumer credit act is not going to help you though

Just because they claimed they owned the hotel is irrelevent,they dont by my reading and the hotel cant be held liable for this other gentlemans deception.

It seems to me he took your details then fraudulently used them, now you can involve the banks fraud department but I wouldnt hold much hope for them sorting it out to you .

Police and civil courts Im afraid

jonnyb

can you let me have the company details, and the director's details ?
if you don't want to post them publicly then pm me.

I will see if I can get any useful information for you from the Experian database.