Intrum Debt Collector Letter

mrsdinozzo

Hi all, in need of advice. Out of the blue I've received a letter from the above collections agency regarding a debt from 2004 for £1000 with HBOS. It's not your standard threatening letter - it's an offer to write off 90% of debt if I pay this month! They also state that:

*You should be aware that the period for recovering your debt by court action has expired, so we will not be issuing Court proceedings to eforce payment. However, your debt still exists and legally we are within our rights to ask you for repayment."

As far as I was aware this debt was settled with another company back in, I think, 2006/7. I have moved a few times since then so any relating paperwork has been lost and my memory isn't that great either.

So, what should I do? Ignore them, write to them or (as online research has showed me, they are a particularly nasty company) report them to Ombudsman and OFT? Thanks in advance for any advice.

sourcrates

mrsdinozzo wrote: »

*You should be aware that the period for recovering your debt by court action has expired, so we will not be issuing Court proceedings to eforce payment. However, your debt still exists and legally we are within our rights to ask you for repayment."

And legally, under section 5, Limitations Act 1980. you are within your rights to tell them to Jog on.

They are seriously trying it on here.


They are also incorrect in their "legal view" of the matter, attempting to collect a debt the creditor knows is statute barred is concidered poor practice, and goes against guidence on the fair collection of debt.

mrsdinozzo

Thanks SourCrates, just curious to know where they found their information from and surely they must *know* what they're doing is wrong.

sourcrates

Some companies buy up massive portfolios of statute barred debts for peanuts, then try to collect the full face value on them, knowing full well they are statute barred, but hoping they will entice you into paying anyway.


I`d put in a written complaint and threaten them with the FOS as well, these companies to me are like one life form above ameoba.

[Deleted User]

Intrum aka 1st Credit were chasing me for an old debt that is now statute barred (it wasn't when they started though) and they used to send me letters offering to write off 50, 60, 70% etc. It's just their thing.

mrsdinozzo

Thanks LeeUK - so - do I waste time sending them a letter or just ignore?

sourcrates

mrsdinozzo wrote: »

Thanks LeeUK - so - do I waste time sending them a letter or just ignore?

They acknowledge they can’t taken legal action, so you could just ignore them, but don’t you want the satisfaction of telling them where to go, quote legislation to them, demand £100 quid for having to respond to them, have a little fun, I love dealing with these fools, and fools they are, mostly.

[Deleted User]

mrsdinozzo wrote: »

Thanks LeeUK - so - do I waste time sending them a letter or just ignore?

Ignore them as it's statute barred, or send them the statute barred letter.

I just ignore them now although I think they have given up on me as I've not heard from them in a few months.

Suseka97

sourcrates wrote: »

......... but don’t you want the satisfaction of telling them where to go, quote legislation to them, demand £100 quid for having to respond to them, have a little fun, I love dealing with these fools, and fools they are, mostly.

I'd follow this advice and write making it clear you are fully aware of your rights and I'd make the point that clearly they also knew they were acting above the law and ask for compensation for your bother. The reason I say this is people really do need to put these sorts of tactics and DCAs 'on notice' - personally I would also complain to the FOS with a copy of their letter.