What do I do? - Received a Debt collection letter

[notstraightedge]

Hi there, first post here on the forums. Its the first website I came across in Google and after a brief look at some other ones this seems to be the one with the most info / friendliest members.

Anyways, here goes:

I received a letter this morning from a H L Legal Solicitors stating that Capquest have appointed the firm to act due to my failure to respond to a letter sent 05 Aug 08 (I have never received this letter and any letter).

Its Re Barclays Partner Finance Clydesdale stating I owe £2113.09 and must pay in full or propose a settlement by 02/09/2008.

I have no idea what this debt is for, I have a feeling that it was for a camera I purchased nearly 4 years ago on credit then returned to the store when I lost my position at work and had to take a lower paid job a month later and moved away. I have been through my records and I cannot find any paperwork of me returning the camera or even purchasing it. The store said it would sort all the financial details out and that it would cancel the credit agreement for me.

I left them to it and this is the first thing I have ever heard about this since dec 04 so I presumed it had all been sorted.

I don't understand why it has taken so long for them to chase me up if the agreement hadn't been cancelled. What do I do? I understand that if I acknowledge the debt then I will have to pay it even though I don't owe any money.
Any help would be great.

I live in Scotland currently and the purchase was made in Scotland.

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome, notstraightedge.

Send them this...............


Dear Sir/Madam

Account no:

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

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

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

I/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.

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

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

I/we look forward to your reply.

**Edit to suit**

Remember, don’t sign the letter.

It's up to them to prove the debt exists, and they have the right to collect it.




Regards.

Scott.

[notstraightedge]

Thanks man, got the shaky hands when I first starting reading the letter but after looking at this site it seems like a lot of people are in the same boat.

I send the letter recorded yeah?

And who do I send it to? The H L Legal folk or the CapQuest dudes?

They have listed a PO Box for payment to be sent directly to their client and then a non PO Box address for communication which is a CapQuest address as well.

[maroondevo52]

Send it to the last one to contact you, The H L Legal folk. Although It's always advised to send it to a 'proper' address

I'll have a scout about and get back to you, you could always send it to both, and yes, send it recorded.

Regards.

Scott.

[maroondevo52]

Hi,

Did the H L Legal folk give you an address for them, if not, send it to Capquest.

I've had a look about, but could'nt find much about contact addresses for them.

Regards.

Scott.

[notstraightedge]

Once again, thanks.

Does this look ok? Should I include my address?

[notstraightedge]

No address for HL legal. I have an address in redditch at the bottom b98 8bl.

should i send it to them as well?

[notstraightedge]

one more post then i can post an image.

[notstraightedge]

here you go - hope this looks ok.

[maroondevo52]

Looks sound to me

[notstraightedge]

Thanks for all your help man. What is the usual response from them after they receive this letter?

[maroondevo52]

Hi,

Not to sure what their reply will be, something along the lines of 'your due us money, pay it back '

If you could remember the Origional Creditor you could send them a Subject Access Request, that would let you know the score regarding payments ect.

Here's a 'link'

Subject Access Request - Consumer Wiki

The Subject Access Request would cost you a tenner

Regards.

Scott.

[notstraightedge]

Another quick question. Would the Original Creditor be the company I purchased the camera from or the company who supplied the credit to said camera company?

[TheChancellor]

Originally Posted by notstraightedge

Another quick question. Would the Original Creditor be the company I purchased the camera from or the company who supplied the credit to said camera company?

The credit company, not the camera shop.

But have you contacted the shop manager? any dates for him,etc?
I can't believe you handed the camera back & didn't get a receipt - merely mis-placed it after all this time I presume?

[notstraightedge]

Originally Posted by TheChancellor

The credit company, not the camera shop.

But have you contacted the shop manager? any dates for him,etc?
I can't believe you handed the camera back & didn't get a receipt - merely mis-placed it after all this time I presume?

Nah I did get a receipt and I'm sure I signed some stuff. I just can't seem to find it. I guess I threw it away when I did a big clear out as I thought I didn't need it anymore. It was in the first week of Jan 05 I'm pretty sure of. I haven't got in touch with them as today was the first thing I have even heard of me oweing this money.