Harassment and Intimidation from ARC Europe. Need help.

Marygrinser

Hi,

I would really appreciate any help or input.

Last year I lost my job. Therefore could no longer pay my Virgin Active membership anymore. I confirmed this in writing (email) to Virgin Active. They emailed back saying I could settle the account for £20.00. I paid this (via bank transfer which I have evidence of).

Out of nowhere ARC Europe starts sending me letters saying I owe them 500 pound.

I have written back via recorded delivery NUMEROUS times (about 6-7 times) stating the above story. I have provided evidence that I settled the debt with Virgin Active (I sent them a copy of the email).

I said that they are harassing me as I have made it clear I do not owe this debt and they have not stopped.

They are now sending letters threatening to take me to court.

I don't know how to stop them harassing me! What advice would you all suggest? A complaint to the financial ombudsman? And a letter to them explaining that this is the course of action I have taken?

Is there anything else I can do? I don't have the money to take days off to fight them in court and quite frankly I shouldn't have to given that I have explained and proved I don't owe this.

Thanks in advance

sourcrates

Hi,

Try to ignore them, they will be running through there standard range of letters in the hope of a payday.

Send one letter of complaint, outline what you have told us, mark your letter "OFFICIAL COMPLAINT".

They then have 8 weeks to provide you with a suitable response, after which, if you remain unhappy, you can then involve the FOS.


In the meantime, block there number, file there letters......very carefully....in the recycle bin.

Karonher

When you sent the money did you say it was to close the account or was it clear when you paid that closure was what the money was for? If it was just a payment with no explanation, the account may have been kept open although there should have been contact beforehand.

Marygrinser

It was super clear that it was to close the account and I have it in writing. Very relieved about that!

WhenIam64

Why not send a Subject Access Request to both Virgin Active and ARC to compare the paperwork you have, with the paperwork VA has, and the paperwork ARC has.

If the key email is missing, then you'll can fill in the gaps for them. Alternatively, wait and see what they do.

little_green

Hi did you get this resolved?
My other half has received a letter from arc Europe re alleged debt on their PayPal account (they never use PayPal though so there can't be, although there was fraudulent activity on their bank account which stated PayPay, this was resolved with the bank though)