We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Debt question

Options
Hi all, I wonder if anyone could throw some light on this for me.

I was self employed some years ago selling 2nd cars, I used a company called Hpi to check car history's etc.

I used to pay my bill every 3 months via debit card around 30-60 per month. I went back to being employed in December 15 and paid what I thought was my last invoice.

However last week I received a bill for around £700 from 2015 up to may 17!

I didn't sign any credit agreement nor does this show on my credit file. If I refuse to pay is there anyway they can default me?

Comments

  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    It depends on your contract with Hpi. Was the contract between you and Hpi, or your company and Hpi?
  • ollie2008uk
    ollie2008uk Posts: 132 Forumite
    It was with the company but it wasn't a Ltd company. However there is no contract anyway nothing signed
  • Ben8282
    Ben8282 Posts: 4,821 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Newshound!
    Is the invoice correct? If it is pay up what you owe. If it is not correct dispute it.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 29 May 2017 at 11:43PM
    A contract was formed when you used the service-no signature is needed.
    If you failed to cancel the service then the debt is valid. You didn't have a company, you were presumably a sole trader, in which case the debt is recoverable from you personally, not from your ex-business.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • ollie2008uk
    ollie2008uk Posts: 132 Forumite
    Valid point, but I would suggest that they are in fact in the wrong on this. I did ask the account to be closed. Obviously it was not closed. Since the request I have had a new account manager who has decided to do nothing about the account!!

    However, my original question has been over looked, how can this affect my credit rating if there is no credit agreement? The only logical way I can see is if they try to recover this debt through a county court judgement? Surely they can't just default me without a credit agreement?
  • PixelPound
    PixelPound Posts: 3,051 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Valid point, but I would suggest that they are in fact in the wrong on this. I did ask the account to be closed. Obviously it was not closed. Since the request I have had a new account manager who has decided to do nothing about the account!!

    However, my original question has been over looked, how can this affect my credit rating if there is no credit agreement? The only logical way I can see is if they try to recover this debt through a county court judgement? Surely they can't just default me without a credit agreement?

    It's a SERVICE agreement not a credit agreement - you were provided with a service rather than given credit, just like mobile phone contracts. No signature required, if it goes in default it may be reported to credit file (if the company reports to them - e.g some mobile phone providers report and some don't). It could also end up with a CCJ, if they or a DCA they use or sell to use that route to recover the debt.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.