Text Messages Opos

sourcrates

Please stop worrying, this is a debt collector chasing a non priority debt, that might not even be yours.

Go to their website and view the letter, if it allows you to, you can`t acknowledge anything by doing so, and it doesn't matter if you did, liability must be proved by producing a copy of a compliant credit agreement, not by clicking on a link.

Please don`t overthink these things.

They send tens of thousands of these texts/emails/letters every day to all and sundry, its just normal collection activity.

See what they are chasing you for, then we can tell you how to respond.

Rob5342

Have they referred to you by name or could they be chasing someone else and have the wrong mobile number?

bdazzling

Yes they referred to me by name and my address 

bdazzling

sourcrates said:

Please stop worrying, this is a debt collector chasing a non priority debt, that might not even be yours.

Go to their website and view the letter, if it allows you to, you can`t acknowledge anything by doing so, and it doesn't matter if you did, liability must be proved by producing a copy of a compliant credit agreement, not by clicking on a link.

Please don`t overthink these things.

They send tens of thousands of these texts/emails/letters every day to all and sundry, its just normal collection activity.

See what they are chasing you for, then we can tell you how to respond.

Thank you, so its safe to open the link then? Everyone else told me to ignore it and not to open it under any circumstances but it’s really worrying me and if i can see what it is i can deal with it, assuming it’s genuine of course.  I honestly don’t know of any debts i have that weren’t cleared years ago. I’m repeating myself I know but all my credit files are clear and excellent

bdazzling

sourcrates said:

Please stop worrying, this is a debt collector chasing a non priority debt, that might not even be yours.

Go to their website and view the letter, if it allows you to, you can`t acknowledge anything by doing so, and it doesn't matter if you did, liability must be proved by producing a copy of a compliant credit agreement, not by clicking on a link.

Please don`t overthink these things.

They send tens of thousands of these texts/emails/letters every day to all and sundry, its just normal collection activity.

See what they are chasing you for, then we can tell you how to respond.

So I did as suggested and logged in, its saying I owe just over £6000 but they will accept settlement of £1200.   It doesn't say what its for, its quoting other debt agencies , Cap Quest & Sav Credit and what appears to be a credit card number ?    I genuinely don’t know what its for but they have all my details so could it be an old debt I thought I had cleared and haven't but if so why are they only contacting me now and why is it not showing on any credit files?  Im tempted to pay it just to stop the hassle but it says 

If our client is reporting your payment performance to the credit reference agencies paying a settlement will normally result in your account being partially settled as opposed to fully satisfied. We must make you aware that by failing to repay the full amount owed you may still encounter difficulties in obtaining credit elsewhere. Paying the settlement will mean no further payment will be required in relation to this account.

does this mean it will then show on my credit file and therefore affect my credit score when there is nothing negative on there at the moment? 

Sorry for all the questions but Im stuck on what to do and why this is only now showing up.  I have an awful lot going on at the moment with family health problems and other personal issues and really don’t want to have a long drawn out battle with them but equally don’t want to pay it if I don’t have to, but if its due and I owe it I will pay, I just don't want to affect my good credit score.

many thanks for much needed advice

sourcrates

Hi, good morning, I know it’s late, but I felt compelled to respond straight away to stop you making a big mistake.

Don’t do anything yet, and DO NOT PAY IT.

These people MUST BY LAW write to you, and I mean a good old fashioned letter, in the post, if they want you to pay.

This may indeed be an old debt you have forgotten, however, the limitation act in this country gives creditors 6 years from the date of default, to chase simple contract debts such as this, you say nothing appears on any of your credit files, suggesting this debt is older than 6 years, as again, defaulted debts show on file for 6 years, then are automatically removed.

There is massive activity in the debt collection industry at present chasing old statute barred debts, as a change in the law comes into force in 3 weeks which will ban this practice outright.

From what you have said it appears the debt they are chasing will be statute barred, and of course you won’t have to pay it, which is why the settlement offer is so generous lol, they are hoping you will pay without question.

Is there a way to respond to them by email or messaging ?

If so simply ask for evidence of your liability for this debt, adding you believe the debt to be statute barred, if there isn’t, by the time they get around to writing to you, the law will have changed, and they won’t be able to do anything, well they can’t do anything anyway once you tell them it’s statute barred.

If you ever receive a letter, respond with the provit letter in our stickie section.

The debt is dead in the water, and almost definitely statute barred, do as above otherwise forget about it, they are hoping you are ignorant of the law and will just pay up.

Rob5342

You've reacted exactly how they want you to, panicked and immediately considered paying it. Keep calm and follow Sourcrates's advice.

fatbelly

It's a statement, not a demand for payment.

I suspect this is very old and statute barred.

Incidentally I think a credit card starting with that number would be a HSBC Mastercard.

bdazzling

Thank you all. I will await the letter and then follow Sourcrates advice. As long as I know its not going to affect my credit rating then I’m much happier.  I will tell them I believe its statute barred and then see what happens. Hopefully as you say they will then drop it and stop hassling me.  Thanks for making me feel better about it ! 

RAS

If this card isn't on your credit records, they can't default it. Even if it was once yours, after 6 years from the default it ceases to to be reported and the debt collectors cannot add anything to the record.

It also possible that you have a similar surname, date of birth or married name to someone who took out the card.