Hutchinson 3G the most awful and incompetent of all

[Cisco]

I had a 12 month contract - then renewed it for another 12 months up to October 2007. Then I noticed one statement where they charged me twice in one month.

I called the customer service agents and asked what they think they are up to ? They where rude, arrogant and clearly had no understanding of how to deal with customers.

I told them that if this was their attitude I would not be using their service again. I then turned the phone off, threw it in the shed and paid up to the end of the contract which was October 2007.

The last couple of months they I have been getting letter from some outfit in Glasgow called Buchannon Clarks and Wells telling me I owe Hutchinson £78. I wrote a nice letter and explained that I was overcharged and treated quite badly by the customer service cretins at 3G.

I asked for this outfit to at least show me how this amount of money had come to be owed ? They then told me I had also moved without given them my new address !!

As far as I was concerned they got paid each month right up to the end of the contract even though the last 6 months the phone was turned off.

I keep asking for information - whilst they keep harrasing with letters about a door step collector coming to our house and they have sent nothing to show where this debt has come from.

They have now given my details to another debt agency and they are now threatening to send a door step collector round to collect money which I have no idea how it became owed.

What can I do ?

[buzby]

Go to the source. Ask Hutchison to provide full details of the debt they say is owed, however I do think there is a chance it will be for early termination, as since 2006 they've been instrumental in upping the minimum term from 12 to 18 months, and this comes as a surprise to many. (Mind you, they're all at it - and O2 have pushed it to 24 months for some customers.

[Cisco]

Hi Buzby,
Many thanks for your reply, I did pay up to the end of the contract which was October 2007 and had not used the phone since I was overcharged in March 2007 so they have had their money out of me.

I have tried to talk to Hutchinson 3G but they denied they overcharged me on the phone even though I had the bank statement in my hand to show Hutchinson 3G billed me twice in the same month.

Hutchinson who have now sold the debt to a company who have sold the debt on to another company seems like harrasment to me.

I at one point offered to pay £5 a month just to get them off my back but the debt recovery company said no and especially without seeing my earnings.

[buzby]

Do not deal with any Debt Collection firms - all you need do is say the debit is in dispute and are waiting for Hutchison to provide the details to allow you to investigate. DO NOT pay anyone, this is taken as an admission that you agree the debt is valid, so never, EVER follow this route.

You may find it useful to get your credit report and see what Hutchison have done, but alternatively WRITE by recorded delivery, giving as much information as you can of the number, customer reference, as ask them to respond with the required details within 28 days.

[OrangePrimate]

I have a small concern here - you say you paid up until the end of the contract in Oct 07 and turned the phone off - did you actually CANCEL the contract? as in notify them you would be canceling and no longer required a service from them, because if not your monthly line rental would still be due until you did that. The contracts dont automatically end, they just roll on month to month until you give formal notice.
sorry if i giving granny lessons in eating eggs etc, but sometimes this bit can get forgotten!!!