Letter from "Red Debt Collection Services" - I'm convinced it's not mine!

kaywizzle

Hi Jes

Thank you for your quick reply, I am 99.9% sure that I paid every penny and closed the account, would it be wise to contact T-Mobile ask them to confirm that I do not owe the amount in writing, if I owe the money and this is a genuine mistake on my behalf, I will pay it... obviously... but I dont think I do! I dont think I have any proof of paying the account off either.

Thanks again! x

Jesthar

Hi Kay,

Personally I'd wait to see if Red bother to get back to you in writing (phonecalls don't count, especially as you're just going to tell them to send a letter and hang up on them! ), and as it is them this 'debt' is with you would then have to write to Red, not T-mobile.

If you do get a letter from them, come back and post the general details of it here (might be an idea to start a new thread of your own in that case) and we'll help you sort out what to do next, but until then, no point in poking the hornets nest, eh?

In the meantime, enjoy the forums - there's loads of excellent moneysaving tips to be found here

~Jes

kaywizzle

thanks Jes, I will keep the forums up to date on any new developments!!
x

Curious_George_2

we have had three letters from them in the last week asking for three different amounts owing to three different phone providers, 2 of which we have never even had an account with!

I was thinking of scanning the letters and sending them back to red with that nicely worded "nice try" prove it letter...

GreyFox_2

fatbelly wrote: »

Red is part of the Lowell group, I think, and they are members of the Credit Services Association, who say their members abide by the OFT Debt Collection Guidance

I think it might be worth a complaint to both the csa and the OFT. Strange how they agreed the date of birth matched their record even though they got your middle initial wrong. Get them to show you the signed agreement!

They are harrasing me at the moment for a 5 year old debt that does not exist. They have even called my home number, leaving a message for a Mr Gibb with an accoung number? Why give me somone elses name and account number. Totally unproffesional.
I googled the address and they use a PO Box and are based in some building with other small companies.
I am not signing my letters and just keep sending the same letter with a photocopy of the balance that was paid to another Debt agency 5 years ago.
So Lowell contacted me, Then Red and now Hamptons. All the same company with offices within yards of each other.

Just in the middle of writing my next letter when I googled Red and this forum came up.

GreyFox_2

Kaywizzle - I too am being harrassed in regards to a 5 Year old T-mobile account. I am have now Gone from Lowell - Red - Hamptons. Hamptons are threatening CCJ and have said they will give me a Generous discount of 50% if I pay immediatly.
I am fed up to be honest. I want to get my Debts cleared and done without Bankrupcy, but some companies are like Leeches.

GreyFox_2

Apparently Lowell are already known to Watchdog! I am unable to post links with my user, but google - "the_chase_for_debts_not_always"

*Kat*

I got a letter from Red yesterday too regarding a T-Mobile bill. I did have a t-mobile account about 7 years ago, but I'm pretty sure I paid it all off. They want £800. What do I do first? And what is their address? Is it the complaint address I send it to? "Customer relations, po box 204" etc? I should ask them to prove its my debt first right?

fraud_phish_spam_hater

You need to send them a formal letter which includes a "subject access request" There is a cut and paste version on the forum somewhere. It is basically a formal request for any and all information they have stored about you. They have a set time limit to supply the information to you or they can no longer try to collect the debt! They are allowed to charge you a £10 admin fee though but it is usually worth it. They are not allowed to sell the debt on to another collector either once a formal subject access request has been made. Good Luck.:beer:

fatbelly

*Kat* wrote: »

I got a letter from Red yesterday too regarding a T-Mobile bill. I did have a t-mobile account about 7 years ago, but I'm pretty sure I paid it all off. They want £800. What do I do first? And what is their address? Is it the complaint address I send it to? "Customer relations, po box 204" etc? I should ask them to prove its my debt first right?

Send a prove-it letter. This does not acknowledge the debt. At this point you don't even know if it's your old account that they are chasing. It could be someone else's with maybe a similar name.

See what comes back.

It's probably statute barred, even if it's valid and it's yours