Plusnet saying I owe them money....3 years later?!

lyle1993

Plusnet have, 3 years after I left them, decided that I owe them £92 from my contract. I only noticed because it came up as a default on my credit report [on this website when I checked] couple months ago; they didn't actually let me know. When I ring them up they say I can't pay it via them and it's with a debt collection agency, but won't say which one and I haven't had any letters etc from any agencies either. Any advice? Don't get how they have just decided I owe this now, it's also impacted my credit file massively.

MalMonroe

Firstly it might be wise to contact one of the credit file agencies and ask them to put a notice on your file saying that there's a dispute with this company. There don't seem to be any records of this so-called very old 'debt' and I'd also actually write to Plus Net (you're always advised to write whenever there's a dispute) and ask why it's taken all this time for them to realise that you owe them money and also ask them to provide definite proof of the debt - they are obliged to tell you which debt agency it's with - within the next 14 days or you will be taking further action. 

Further action would be to get the Financial Ombudsman involved if it isn't sorted out to your satisfaction. Why has it taken them three years to start to ask for this money? And you shouldn't offer to pay it anyway because you don't know if what they are saying is true!

macman

They have 6 years to pursue the debt (5 in Scotland). Have you moved house in the last 3 years? If so, that's why you weren't aware of the default, as the correspondence has gone to your last known address.