Mackenzie Hall

cjhorn85

Hey all,

Right, I have been reading a few posts on here about Mackenzie Hall, and lets just say I think I need a little advice before making any payments. Here is what happened.

I got a phone call last week from them saying that I was in debt by £30 to Virgin Media (At the time it was Telewest, broadband provider). I haven't been with them for 2 years, and when she quoted my old address they said the wrong one, and the other concern was that where the hell did they get my mobile number?

So Ok, I thought I was paid up to Telewest when I left them those years ago, so I wasn't overly convinced. They suddenly start demanding that I pay them via debit or credit card there and then over the phone. Obviously, with a bit of sense in me I said no, and there is no way I will until I see some paperwork....so I gave them my address to send a final notice payment too (Probs a bad idea from what Ive been reading). Received it the other day, and also phoned up Virgin Media and they confirmed that I was outstanding by that amount.

Now, I know what your thinking, nothing wrong there. They have confirmed my debt, and now I just need to pay, which I'm quite happy about since its only £30 (split with the other people I shared the flat with), but they don't seem to be answering the phone, so I can't, and I go away travelling for 3 1/2 months next week, so I would like to sort this out asap. So my questions are as follows:

1) What payment methods do these guys take? I'm very reluctant to pay over the phone because if privacy issues and card fraud. I would prefer just to send a cheque.
2) If I don't get this sorted before leaving next week, and they keep chasing me after I leave, what can they do?
3) The letter they sent me was a final notice, but in the 2 years after leaving the flat, this is the first I have heard of it. Is this still a valid final notice?
4) What is my legal standing regarding them obtaining my number? I am particularly unhappy they have managed to get a hold of this.
5) I was also very unhappy about their attitude. Is it worth reporting this, or is this a valid technique used by debt collecting agencies? (First time with this problem)

Cheers for the help guys.

GeorgeUK

If you owe the money then you should pay it - if you don't, you shouldn't. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

But with Debt Collection Agencies...

They need to prove you owe the money before you pay it. Might not get settled in a week but you need to put the ball back in their court.
For mobile phone bills, you can't request a copy of any credit agreement, but you can inform them of their duty to prove the debt is yours.

This letter from the national debtline should be enough to get a response back from them. Just amend the details and wait for their reply. You should send this by recorded delivery so that they can't say they never received it (and print your name rather than sign).
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/4769_66491.pdf

Dear Sir/Madam
Account No: 4563210025897412

You have contacted us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by ourselves.

We would point out that we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to The Loan Company.

We are familiar with the ‘Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance’ which states that it is unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

We would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore, ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

We would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above accounts unless you can provide evidence as to our liability for the debt in question.

We await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise we will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

We look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully
Mr A N Other

cjhorn85

Right spoke to them today.

I will be sending a cheque off in the post today, via special delivery. I have been told if it doesn't arrive tomorrow that it will go to a solicitor, and legal proceedings will commence. Can they actually do this? I knew nothing about this debt previously, and suddenly out of nowhere they give me this final notice and expect me to pay within 7 days. Considering I have had NOTHING regarding this debt previously, is this legal? Should I be worried? As I said, I leave the UK in 8 days, and don't want this coming back to haunt me.

Thanks

stapeley

Best to just clear it out of the way , such a small amount it not worth the hassle .But make sure you get conformation it is settled .

GeorgeUK

If you don't owe them any money, there is no reason for you to pay someone elses debt. I'd send the letter and possibly advise them that you will be unavailable to correspond for the next few weeks.

They need to prove that the debts is yours - once they do, then fine, pay them.

fanofmartin_2

I have got a similar one with O2. Years ago my husband got an upgrade but didn't want it because he got a work phone. We returned it unopened within the time frame stipulated and faxed them the proof of postage (which they had asked for). Years later they demanded the money for phone plus rental we told them it had been sent off.

Now even later on we are being chased by Robinson Way for the money and I sent them them the do not owe, unless you prove, letter. I haven't heard back yet, so give it a try.

cjhorn85

Well, I just sent off the cheque there, and gave them the next day delivery tracking number.

As I said, I spoke with Telewest on the phone with a customer services representative, and they looked up my account, and confirmed that I owed the amount that Mackenzie hall are claiming. For such a small amount of money, I don't believe it is worth chasing it up. It was broadband as well, so the £30 was to be split between us.

Lets see what happens then. I seriously hope they don't come back trying to claim for some more money.....

Cheers guys

KITTYKAT8_2

with moBiles if you cannot request a credit agreement can you demand that they be taken off your credit file



Marion