ID Mobile sent debt to debt collection agency without contacting me first

sasastro

I was shocked to get a letter from a debt collection agency yesterday for the amount of £18.53 I had no notification from ID Mobile that I owed this amount otherwise I would have paid it. I’m in my 70’s and have never been in debt before, so scared I immediately paid it but now I have the debt on my records.

Surely ID Mobile should have notified me first that I owed this money, especially since my last communication from them was that my final estimated bill would be £8? Even though I’m no longer with them they must of had my email and address on record. Weren’t they legally required to inform me of the debt before they passed it on to the debt collection agency?

Woodstok2000

Companies can call in a debt collector as soon as a default notice has been issued, so its a pretty low bar but they are expected to act reasonably. You should complain to ID mobile, requesting copies of all the communications they sent out and the dates so you can see what they did and how you might have missed it. You can also request that they update any markers they may have sent to the credit agencies.

In terms of impact, have you checked your credit file to see if this is logged? Its not likely to cause you many issues unless youre going to be applying for credit in the near future.

Cisco001

mobile phone company usually collect final bill by direct debit.

Did you cancel direct debit manually prior their collection?

fatbelly

I wouldn't have suggested paying a bill from a debt collector so quickly. If it happens again, do your research first.

As for 'having a debt on your record' you won't know until you check, which I suggest you do. That can be added in to your complaint. Remember there are 3 credit agencies and they all do free (statutory) reports.

Edit: Oh, and Debt Collection Agencies are not things to be scared of, they are things to be treated with suspicion as they are not averse to chasing people, particularly those who pay quickly, for other people's debts.

dumpster_fire2025

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81937907#Comment_81937907

Mobile phone contracts are not regulated under the CCA so any requirements to issue default notices (which are required if the creditor wants to take you to court rather than default you with the CRAs) don't apply.

Companies can call in a debt collector if you're one day in arrears. Some debt collectors collect debt on behalf of the company (where a debt won't necessarily have defaulted) and some are debt buyers who buy yup debts and chase them. In theory they could buy up any debt they want, it doesn't need to default first, but it would be incredibly rare for a DCA to do this as there's no value in it for them. Debts are commonly sold to other companies without even being in arrears though (for example one company is exiting the personal loan market and sells its loan book to another company.)

sourcrates

You will find, judging by the experience of others on this forum, that is pretty much par for the course with most mobile networks, if your DD fails, you might get a reminder, you might not, but they are very quick to send any outstanding debt to a collection company, whether you owe it or not.

Never pay a debt collector without first asking for proof of your liability, as in many cases, the debt may not even be owed by that person, they are not necessarily bothered who pays, as long as someone does, so be careful and ask the right questions.