Brtiannia Music and Film Club and Intrum Justitia

shakeshaft_2

After receiving my first letter on the 10th for 9.99, I decided to pay the outstanding amount by post because I didn't want any hassle or a black mark against me, so on the 12th I sent them a cheque, to only have...yes you guessed another letter arrive today which is dated 12th informing me that my balance had gone up to 12.49.

So I decided to give them a call to explain to me why they had now charged me admin costs even though I had paid the full outstanding amount. Their explanation was that I didn't pay within 7 days so had incurred the extra cost, I said hold on a minute your first letter never stated that it had to be paid within 7 days and that it actually took 4 days for your letter to reach me, so that was impossible to pay in the 7 days, the guy on the other end was adamant and that it was Royal Mails fault for the length of time it took to reach me, he wasn't going to budge and said if I didn't pay the now outstanding balance of 2.50 they would take legal proceedings against me...so I said OK then you do that.

This afternoon I went to my local CAB, who rang IJ on my behalf and within 30 seconds the account was cleared and that I wouldn't be hearing from them again...now why couldn't they have done that for me this morning

Andrea

JamesDaniel84

Just a quick question. Is this likely to count as a black mark on my credit history? I asked my Dad, who retired from accountancy only a week or so ago, who thought not. He said that they would have to report me as a bad payer, and that they would not be able to prove that. He also said that in the unlikely event that I do have any problems, I could get the black mark removed because the whole thing is clearly very dodgy. I just wondered if anyone else had any knowledge about this?Reading people's posts who just paid up for fear of getting black marked, I thought that it would be useful to establish, because I don't think anyone should pay these highwaymen anything they don't owe.

emsiewill

Another one (well, my husband) who has received 2 of these letters in a short space of time, with the debt going up between the two :mad:.

I am going to send the letter off that was suggested earlier in the thread, am not going to fall for this, we know we don't owe anything.

Am lol about the sentence in the letter "this letter gives you one last chance to contact us and explain why no payment has been sent" - who do they think they are? My headmistress!??! :rotfl:

littlemisscheap

Here we go same old story - can't believe they've got my details in this scam - clearly it is one as I know 100% the last time I paid my last of 6 dvds months ago, I closed the account there and then over the phone and the operator confirmed this at the time).

One thing worries me though, is it a case of bad accounting on their part or did they buy our details off the black market? Either way, I suggest nobody pays up else you will only give them more clout against the fighters if you do.

They are clearly just working their way through a long list without the slightest clue as to what is or isn't actually outstanding.

1) Do not pay

2) Do get in touch with Watchdog (cc TS and ij)

3) Do get in touch with local trading standards (cc the letter to ij)

Thankfully, I had a thought that this letter was suspect and came straight to this thread on Martin's website! :T :money:

I'd like to see these scam artists stopped!

charmainemccullum621

Like everyone else i have just received two letters in the post today. One saying i owed £19.48 and another sating i owed £24.98. Confussed what it was about I called IJ. They advised that i ordered something on 2nd July and i had not paid for it. They could not tell me what it was they could only give me an order code, which is no help. I advised them that i had certainly not ordered anything and that i always went online to cancel my recommended recordings. I pointed out to them that on 2nd July i was actually moving house so i hardly think i had time to order over priced things from them. The gentleman wasn't really much help and said he would speak to Britannia and get back to me. I attempted to get a number for Britannia over the net so i could call them and i then can across this site, which then p***ed me off even more. So i called IJ back and i said that they were a complete joke and that no one owned them money and i could believe they had the cheek to do this, they said it was nothing to do with them. I requested that they provide me with proof that i owe this. Once again they were very rude. He basically said i have to pay or i would get blacked listed, i said good luck trying to get that one to happen.

In the morning i'm going to contact Watchdog, consumer direct, trading standards and the financial ombusmen.

I urge all you out there to do the same, we've got to stand up to these people.

tigerfeet2006

I have just emailed Watchdog and alerted them to this thread. For anyone that wants to contact them this is the link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/contact_index.shtml

jhluxton

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

I have just emailed Watchdog and alerted them to this thread. For anyone that wants to contact them this is the link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/contact_index.shtml

I have also sent an email to watchdog with my own details and have sent details of this message thread so they can catch up with what has been going on.

Even those who paid up should complain. IJ's tactics are completely unacceptable.

John

mumzyof2

also IJ also deal with ebay

jhluxton

mumzyof2 wrote: »

also IJ also deal with ebay

I discovered this after browsing around for complaints about this company. I must admit I am a regular ebayer for seven years - but have not had any problems (touch wood!).

From what I can gather though IJ have many high profile clients.

Whilst I it is important for business to rightly recoup outstanding debt companies should be aware of engaging an organisation which deals in such an unreasonable manner.

Anyone should have a reasonable period of time to make a payment. The law states that if one requests CCA documentation the company has 12 working days to respond.

Should that not be applicable the other way around as well?

They can't expect a reply within 7 days if their letters arrive late.

If someone used the giro transfer slip to make a payment there could be a delay of up to three working days for teh money to move through the system.

The letters may carry a date but can they prove they were sent on a said date?

What about someone who is away from home?

IJ need slapping down and made to conform to reasonable standards of behaviour.

John

Dayb4V

Consumer Direct Scotland confirm that this company must provide evidence and detail re any supposed debt. They say write to this effect saying you've taken legal advice

Further to this, they recommend contacting Financial Ombudsman on 0845 080 1808 as it looks like Intrum Justitia aren't conducting themselves properly as a Credit Management Services Agency.