File going to debt collection agency

pcwep8

Hi All,
I've recently been told by a company that they are going to pass my debt to a collection agency. The debt is from a storage company from when I was moving house, they claimed I damaged their fence. Its under £200 but I was wondering whether this would affect my credit score if it was passed to a collection agency. I don't have any missed payments at the moment.
Thanks

DCFC79

pcwep8 said:

Hi All,
I've recently been told by a company that they are going to pass my debt to a collection agency. The debt is from a storage company from when I was moving house, they claimed I damaged their fence. Its under £200 but I was wondering whether this would affect my credit score if it was passed to a collection agency. I don't have any missed payments at the moment.
Thanks

You mean credit history right? 
Your score is only seen by you.

Do you agree the damage was done by you or because you havent paid yet an indication you dont believe to be at fault ?

I believe once it gets to a CCJ then you should worry.  

pcwep8

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

DCFC79

pcwep8 said:

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

I cant answer if they would go for a CCJ.
Have you asked them what proof they have that shows you caused the damage ? 

pcwep8

DCFC79 said:

pcwep8 said:

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

I cant answer if they would go for a CCJ.
Have you asked them what proof they have that shows you caused the damage ? 

They said they have CCTV footage that the gate wouldn't close. It definitely closed automatically after I left the unit though.

DCFC79

pcwep8 said:

DCFC79 said:

pcwep8 said:

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

I cant answer if they would go for a CCJ.
Have you asked them what proof they have that shows you caused the damage ? 

They said they have CCTV footage that the gate wouldn't close. It definitely closed automatically after I left the unit though.

Does the footage show you causing the damage ?
Id be wanting to see a copy of this CCTV.

sourcrates

pcwep8 said:

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

If they did, then you have the opportunity to defend the claim.
Its not a consumer credit act debt, nor is it a utility debt, so it will not show on your credit file.
Should the matter proceed to court, and you lose, then a CCJ would be on file for 6 years.

However, as I said, as things stand, you are at a stalemate, the DCA will go through a series of collection letters and calls with you, you do not have to take their call, nor respond to there letters.

My advice would be once the collector writes to you, and they may take their time as £150 quid is hardly worth the effort, write back telling them the debt is in dispute with the original client ,and you will not be corresponding with them.

At the same time write to the client disputing the debt, and stating your case, then you have both gone as far as its possible to go without legal action been taken, should they take the matter further, return to this thread for more advice on how to proceed.

pcwep8

sourcrates said:

pcwep8 said:

They are saying I damaged a sensor. I don't believe I caused the damage that they are referring to as the gate was operational after I left. They've kept my deposit which was about £200.
Do you think they would go for a CCJ for £150? 

If they did, then you have the opportunity to defend the claim.
Its not a consumer credit act debt, nor is it a utility debt, so it will not show on your credit file.
Should the matter proceed to court, and you lose, then a CCJ would be on file for 6 years.

However, as I said, as things stand, you are at a stalemate, the DCA will go through a series of collection letters and calls with you, you do not have to take their call, nor respond to there letters.

My advice would be once the collector writes to you, and they may take their time as £150 quid is hardly worth the effort, write back telling them the debt is in dispute with the original client ,and you will not be corresponding with them.

At the same time write to the client disputing the debt, and stating your case, then you have both gone as far as its possible to go without legal action been taken, should they take the matter further, return to this thread for more advice on how to proceed.

Thanks for this. I was worried it would go straight on my credit file once it went to a DCA. If it is only after a CCJ that it goes on my file then that gives me a bit of time.