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Can debt collection agency charge on top ?

Hi all

in short


my OH went to the dentist and the bill was a little more than she had on her , she was going to pay the balance when she goes back next , which was in april....her dentist have instruted a debt collection ageny to collect the payment !

The amount owing was only £20 , she thought , but the debt people are asking for £38 we tried calling but they are shut till monday so just wanted some advice

Can debt collection agencys add money for themselves on top !

the ageny is p&j debt collection in hemel hempstead if anyones interested , and the letter is as RUDE as you like , scumbags

Thanks all !

D

Comments

  • bank_of_slate
    bank_of_slate Posts: 12,922 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Having worked in a private dental practice this seems very harsh!
    Usual practice is to send a couple of reminders before taking further action, particularly if you have another appointment
    ...Linda xx
    It's easy to give in to that negative voice that chants "cant do it" BUT we lift each other up.
    We dont count all the runners ahead of us & feel intimidated.
    Instead we look back proudly at our journey, our personal struggle & determination & remember that there are those that never even attempt to reach the starting line.
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    DGJsaver wrote: »
    Can debt collection agencys add money for themselves on top !

    the ageny is p&j debt collection in hemel hempstead

    Bump:j

    it`s just this bit thats important....:money:
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    BUMP:money:
  • Al_Mac
    Al_Mac Posts: 5,519 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yes they can. And to be honest your girl friend has been a bit cheeky. She obviously told them she would pay it as soon as she could. Not April!!
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    Al_Mac wrote: »
    Yes they can. And to be honest your girl friend has been a bit cheeky. She obviously told them she would pay it as soon as she could. Not April!!


    So the dentist hasnt been cheeky ?
    the receptionist agreed to let her pay the next time she was in , ie the next check up ie April

    and if i wanted your personal opinion on my GF behaviour i`d ask so pipe down...
  • Al_Mac
    Al_Mac Posts: 5,519 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You posted on a public forum, you get what you asked for.

    No the dentist hasn't been cheeky. He expects to be paid for his work.

    She didn't have her cheque book or debit card on her? The more I think about it the worse she seems. Probably just told the receptionist she'd have to be paid next time and assumed it would be OK.

    I think your question is now, "Has she ruined her credit history?"
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    Al_Mac wrote: »
    You posted on a public forum, you get what you asked for.

    No the dentist hasn't been cheeky. He expects to be paid for his work.

    She didn't have her cheque book or debit card on her? The more I think about it the worse she seems. Probably just told the receptionist she'd have to be paid next time and assumed it would be OK.

    I think your question is now, "Has she ruined her credit history?"

    Youre a lucky boy the internets annonymous....

    as for her credit rating , niether of us default , ever thats why i asked and she`s fine it will be paid long before any harm comes to her credit , it`s a pity that on a forum like this one , theres people like you around to judge from a distance and even try and throw in the odd scare tactic comment

    Never mind , its £38 , not a great deal , i just wanted a decent answer to a reasonable question

    How on earth you have as many thanked posts as you have i will never know nor understand

    D
  • Al_Mac
    Al_Mac Posts: 5,519 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanked posts are not a sign of intelligence or knowledge.
  • DGJsaver
    DGJsaver Posts: 2,777 Forumite
    Al_Mac wrote: »
    Thanked posts are not a sign of intelligence or knowledge.


    Obviously not.......
  • MrsTinks
    MrsTinks Posts: 15,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper
    I think ths thread has run as far as I am happy to let it...

    Yes the DCA can add their own charges.
    Yes the dentist can hand it over to them if she hasn't paid the balance no matter what her understanding.
    Yes I would contact the Dentist directly if you have not recieved any reminders to pay the outstanding balance on the grounds that she believed there to be a verbal agreement.
    Thread closed :)
    DFW Nerd #025
    DFW no more! Officially debt free 2017 - now joining the MFW's! :)

    My DFW Diary - blah- mildly funny stuff about my journey
This discussion has been closed.
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