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Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
I few months back I found an unauthorised direct debit had been set up in my bank account for talk talk, I cancelled it immediatly and told the bank to not set up any from now on unless I went into the branch or spoke to them directly. I contacted talk talk, who apologised and said they had no idea why it had been set up or even who done it.
A month or so later I contacted BT to ask why I hadnt yet recieved my bill (thought they were just being nice over xmas and the skint period) only to find out I was no longer with them! I then hunted down what company was supplying me and found out it was a talktalk group...I phoned them up and asked what the hell they were playing at and they said I authorised the switch through email, when I asked what 'my' email address was, they gave me some address id never heard of. I told them I wouldnt be so stupid as to switch to another company when I was in contract with bt and orderd them to return my line to bt. They offered to pay my line rental to bt to run out my contract with them, and stay with talktalk - but I told them no, they apologised and said they would reverse the service straight away.
Then I recieved a letter a week or so ago from a debt collection company...asking for £219 for talk talk!!! Think the company was carsuk?
What can I do about this? I told them to prove that I took out the service, and they said its upto me to prove I didnt!! how can they get away with this? its affecting my credit rating and my landlord (whos my friends mum) is going nuts about debt collectors now contacting her for the cash!
Re: Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
I think that you need to take very much more dramatic action than this.
I think that you need to SAR talk talk and also BT to try and discover how your BT account was cancelled and who setup the talk talk one.
You also need to get your credit record to find out who placed the default there - as this has probably happened. However, did you not receive any letters asking for money or threatening defaults before the DCAs got involved.
Eventually you will need to sue - probably talk talk for their negligence in the way they set up your account and also under the DPA for the distress to you and to your family caused by the incorrect entries on your credit file.
I think that you can reckno on quite a good payout.
However, you will have start keeping excellent records of all DCA contacts, their effect on you and your family. You should not deal with amy party on the phone unless you record the calls. Get everything in writing.
Write also to the CRA and put them on notice as to what has happened and that you want your record cleared immediately. Tell them that you will include them in the forythcoming legal action if they will not.
Please don't pm me about specific questions unless you have posted and it has not been dealt with or unless the matter is confidential. Please include a link to the post you want me to look at. If you have received a defence, contact me.
Advice & opinions of BankFodder, The Consumer Action Group and The Bank Action Group are offered informally, without prejudice & without liability. Use your own judgment. Seek advice of a qualified insured professional if you have any doubts.
Re: Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
Hi there, thanks for the replies. I did recieve some letters from talktalk, but I binned them straight away as I just thought it was junk - stupid I know
They told me it was set up online? now surely they must still need to speak to the household before setting this up?
I dont want to be anymore involved tbh I have enough on my plate with my partner having a recent head injury and now head condition - so I dont have to time to phone back and forth.
Re: Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
Hi Sharyn, follow the advice above, and also contact the Ombudsman service, give them a phone first and you will be sent a form to fill out, i had a similar experience a few years ago and won.
Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
had been set up in my bank account for talk talk, I cancelled it immediatly and told the bank to not set up any from now on unless I went into the branch or spoke to them directly. I contacted talk talk, who apologised and said they had no idea why it had been set up or even who done it.
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Re: Unauthorised switch of telephone service, now debt collection agencies after me?!
