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Warning about Gothia (debt collection company)
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pesky85
Posts: 183 Forumite
Hi everyone, I'm new to this but thought I would start off by warning you about this company.
I defaulted on store credit with H+M and the debt was passed to Gothia, I organised an online direct debit with them for the sum owed, to be taken from my account on that payday.
I then got a letter from their "parent company" (forgive me, can't remember the name, but the word "red" was somewhere in the title) saying I owed them that same sum. I called them to rectify, saying that I had set up a direct debit and the debt would be paid on the date I had arranged online.
The girl on the phone was quite rude and said their internet system was down, they had no direct debit instruction from me and I needed to pay immediately over the phone.
I declined and said I would rather wait until the date I had set the DD up for, to see if it would come out of my account. I said if it didn't I would then call to pay the debt.
After more of her rudeness the conversation ended.
The DD date came, and lo and behold the DD came out of my account!
Had I paid twice I know I would probably still be trying to get my duplicate payment back now.
I defaulted on store credit with H+M and the debt was passed to Gothia, I organised an online direct debit with them for the sum owed, to be taken from my account on that payday.
I then got a letter from their "parent company" (forgive me, can't remember the name, but the word "red" was somewhere in the title) saying I owed them that same sum. I called them to rectify, saying that I had set up a direct debit and the debt would be paid on the date I had arranged online.
The girl on the phone was quite rude and said their internet system was down, they had no direct debit instruction from me and I needed to pay immediately over the phone.
I declined and said I would rather wait until the date I had set the DD up for, to see if it would come out of my account. I said if it didn't I would then call to pay the debt.
After more of her rudeness the conversation ended.
The DD date came, and lo and behold the DD came out of my account!
Had I paid twice I know I would probably still be trying to get my duplicate payment back now.
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£34/£2013
OU Student! [STRIKE]DSE141[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]SK143[/STRIKE] SDK125 SK277
£34/£2013
OU Student! [STRIKE]DSE141[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]SK143[/STRIKE] SDK125 SK277
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Comments
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Debt collection staff get commission if they get payments out of you there and then.
Who knows whether she was telling the truth about not seeing the DD? Many DCA staff will tell outrageous porkie pies to extract payments, so wouldn't be surprised if this was the case.
Keep an eye on the direct debit, or even consider cancelling and setting up a standing order. Doesn't always happen, but some debt collectors do abuse the direct debit system to take more than was agreed and/or extra payments. As a general rule, it's normally best to pay by SO or direct bank transfer so that you have 100% control over what is paid and when.Free/impartial debt advice: National Debtline | StepChange Debt Charity | Find your local CAB
IVA & fee charging DMP companies: Profits from misery, motivated ONLY by greed0 -
I set up an arrangement whilst I was on holiday with Gothia, then got a letter from Gothia saying I needed to pay the balance... I told them I'd set up an arrangement online. However their guy couldn't find it either. The payments were coming off my card though, not by DD. I had to give them my details anyway, as I had just got a new card! haha. I have £342 left now, and am thinking of offering them a settlement in 2/3 months time.SAVINGS: £63.86 // £3,0000
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Not making light of your situation, but just the name "Gothia"... I have visions of the call staff all sitting round dressed like extras from Interview with a Vampire, with dyed black hair and black lipstick lol::: Total Paid Since LBM (27/05/10): £4639.85 Official Debt Gone!! :T ::::AThat money talks, I don't deny, I heard it once, it said "Goodbye"~ VSP2011: #104 ~
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