Debt from Germany

colinut

So basically, I renewed my subscription to this German magazine in August 2017 and I was sure they'd take payment from previous payment method they had on file. Turns out they didn't and they kept sending emails to my spam box. No one bothered to call me they just kept sending emails. Now some German collectors are chasing me for about 120 euros threatening they will pass the debt onto a UK collector if I don't pay up. I'm inclined not to pay anything over original amount on principle.

How likely is passing of debt to UK to happen and what should I expect to pay if this happens?

Thanks all!

National_Debtline

Hi colinut


It's hard to say whether the debt will be passed to a UK debt collector, but it is a possibility. Whether it's worth their while for 120 Euros is perhaps questionable but on the other hand it's fairly easy to pursue a debt within the European Union.


There should be something in the original terms and conditions of your agreement about what extra costs can be added for debt recovery. It does sound like you would struggle to dispute that you owe the debt, as for whatever reason, payments were not being made. If you can afford to pay the debt you may be better to do that, rather than run the risk of extra costs being incurred.


Susie
@natdebtline

colinut

Would they have to get a court order to be able to recover the debt? I can't see someone going to that extent for what is £100 effectively. What do you think?

sourcrates

colinut wrote: »

Would they have to get a court order to be able to recover the debt? I can't see someone going to that extent for what is £100 effectively. What do you think?

Anything is possible.

A few weeks ago a poster on this forum was taken to court for £15, yep, you did read that correctly.

Usually though they would not bother pursuing such a small amount of money, they may make a lot of noise, but little else.

National_Debtline

Hi again colinut


The debt could be passed to a UK debt collection agency (DCA). They have no special powers, so no court order is required. All they could do is ask you to pay. In order to have powers to recover the debt they would need a court order. There's certainly an argument to say it's not worth it for such a small amount, but we just can't say for sure what they'll do.


Susie
@natdebtline

MEM62

colinut wrote: »

I was sure they'd take payment from previous payment method they had on file.

An assumption or something you gained from looking at the T's and C's? If it is the former and incorrect then you can hardly consider the publisher to be at fault.

colinut wrote: »

Turns out they didn't and they kept sending emails to my spam box.

You can't 'send' emails to a spam box.

colinut wrote: »

I'm inclined not to pay anything over original amount on principle.

If the T's and C's are clear then, if principle is the driver for your actions, you would settle the debt. However, as others have stated, it is likely that any enforcement of the debt will be limited and you'll probably not suffer any consequences of not paying it.

colinut

It appears they've passed the debt onto another company now which is also German but has offices in UK:

imgur.com/a/lz0FH (sorry I can't post links)

Do I bow or do I hold ground?

fatbelly

https://imgur.com/a/lz0FH

standard dca letter.

Ask the FCA if they are licensed for debt collection


Firm Name: Creditreform (UK) Limited
Interim Permissions Reference Number: 619316
Current status: Lapsed

National_Debtline

Hi colinut


If this is a different DCA it doesn't really change the situation. They can continue to ask you to pay, but they don't have any special powers. They could still threaten or take court action.


It will be your decision whether to pay, although it's worth trying to check the terms and conditions of your original subscription to see what additional charges or interest may be added to the debt.


Susie
@natdebtline




EDIT - apologies my post crossed over with fatbelly there, I couldn't access your link but it looks like fatbelly has flagged up some potential issues with the DCA.

sourcrates

colinut wrote: »

It appears they've passed the debt onto another company now which is also German but has offices in UK:

imgur.com/a/lz0FH (sorry I can't post links)

Do I bow or do I hold ground?

There grammar in that letter leaves a lot to be desired.

If there license has lapsed, they cannot trade as a DCA in this country, maybe write a curt little note to them pointing this out.

buglawton

I tried to sort out the broadband cancellation for a relative who returned from Germany. I was unable to phone them to close it due to the company using a special phone number only callable from inside Germany so gave up.

They were able through an agency to send letters to my relative in the UK but we decided since the broadband co was so hard to deal with, better not engage with them at all. Eventually the letters stopped.