Waters gate

Phillips68

Does anyone know if waters gate are a legitimate legal company? They are harassing me for a fine from 3 years ago in Italy ? We paid the car company at the time and now harassing me for £400 . I am trying to prove we paid but they are being very rude and it’s very stressful. 

nosferatu1001

Hahahaha 
No
They have no powers. Theyre just a debt collector. THey cannot do anything themselves
If you can prove you paid the hire car firm you could respond with that, but I wouldnt even bother. Just ignore them. Block their number, etc. 

D_P_Dance

Do you mean Waters & Gate ?  Have you tried googling them and/or a Companies House search?    Best to ask on

here.https://www.expatexchange.com/italy/liveinitaly.html

Fruitcake

Waters and Gate appear to be a debt collection company, meaning they have no power to do anything other than send you letters. 
I suggest you contact the hire car company and ask and tell why you have been contacted by this company when you have already paid the charge.

Italy is outside the jurisdiction of UK courts and visa versa so I doubt you will get a court claim for such a small amount. 

Phillips68

Yes I do mean waters and gate sorry 
it’s stressing me out as they are so rude 

Fruitcake

Ah, so they are a typical debt collection company. The only power they have is to send you poor quality bog paper. Block their number and file the paperwork in a drawer, but do complain to the hire company.

D_P_Dance

Hang on FC, OP may have committed a criminal offence in Italy, perhaps going too fast,  not paid a toll. driving on the wrong side of the road.

You a e being somewhat hard on DCAs.  As a landlord, I can tell you that some companies do perform useful services.  I have used DCAs in the past with some success.

nosferatu1001

Phillips68 said:

Yes I do mean waters and gate sorry 
it’s stressing me out as they are so rude 

Stop engaging with them then!
They have no powers
While the Italian police could start a prosecution in the UK Mag courts, this has never ever happened partly because the UK would keep any fine. 

D_P_Dance

it’s stressing me out

Then get googling and your stress will evaporate. 

beamerguy

Phillips68 said:

Yes I do mean waters and gate sorry 
it’s stressing me out as they are so rude 

Ex double glazing animals no doubt

Just don't speak to them, block them, enjoy them wasting their time and money, it will fizzle out

pogofish

D_P_Dance said:

Hang on FC, OP may have committed a criminal offence in Italy, perhaps going too fast,  not paid a toll. driving on the wrong side of the road.

Either way, the Italian authorities clearly have no interest in pursuing this by any traditional legal means and have disposed of it to U.K. debt vultures for a pittance. Post four of the Newbies Sticky covers them entirely.