Thanks!!!!

Hi everyone. I'm new to the consumer forums and I'm finding it difficult to get the information I need - I'm sure it's all there though. I have been sent some warnings about an alleged debt, and now I'm getting warnings from a debt collector. I'm a little confused because I've been given some conflicting advice... Perhaps someone who knows what they're talking about could outline what people in my situation should do? In particular should I dispute the debt (doesn't this give collectors the right to call round?) and if so do I dispute it with the collector or the original company? Any advice extremely extremely appreciated. Many thanks Jugglia

Hi, I was just about to post this letter and then I thought I might be able to get someone to give me some advice. It's probably easier if I just paste the letter, I'm sure someone will tell me I'm being very unwise. Sorry it's a bit long, the important bits are probably the first and final two paragraphs. Dear sir/madam, I am writing to complain about the continued incompetency I have faced while dealing with your company, and the recent attempts by C.A.R.S debt collection agency to contact me. On 02/01/2009 I received a letter from Bennetts informing me that should I wish to continue my insurance policy, it would renew automatically and that no further action from me was necessary (please see the enclosed copy). Furthermore the letter stated that if anything had changed I was to contact Bennetts, and that ‘we will take first payment on or around 29th January from: [my card number]’. I have highlighted the term first payment, as this clearly implies that more than one payment would be made. Having received this letter I was dismayed to discover that on 03/02/2009 Bennetts had removed the entire year’s payment of £106.65 from my account rather than the usual direct debit amount of £9.00. This was particularly problematic as it brought my balance £49.51 beyond my overdraft limit. Not only did this result in a bank charge, but it also meant that I had no money with which to pay the train fare to University, which resulted in me missing lectures and having to delay important work on my dissertation. I telephoned Bennetts to complain, believing that I would at least receive a refund. This was refused, and I was told a variety of reasons as to why it was my fault: for example that I should have noticed that it was coming out of a different account, which it was not, that I had changed my policy details, which I had not, and finally that I should have noticed that my card number was listed rather than my bank details, and that the direct debit form on the reverse was blank (the card details on the reverse were also blank). After failing to convince the numerous people that I spoke with to reimburse me (despite sending through five copies of the original letter, four of which were apparently lost) I asked to cancel my insurance. I was told that if I wanted to do this there would be a cancellation fee of around £30. As you might imagine, I was hardly prepared to pay £30 to cancel my insurance as a result of misrepresentations made by your company. I contacted my bank who suggested that I wrote a letter to their Visa Disputes department, who might be able to claim the money back. I have not heard from the Visa Disputes department, but the money has since been deposited in my account, so I assume that this is what has happened. I telephoned Bennetts as soon as I was aware that this had happened and explained to the representative that I wished to end my contract, but that I was not prepared to pay any fee. After talking to her line manager, the representative said that provided that I pay for the month that I was covered, they were prepared to waive the fee. I agreed to this and as far as I was concerned the matter was finished. Subsequently I have received two letters – both of which were sent to the incorrect address – informing me that I now had to pay the sum of £76.65. I telephoned Bennetts again, to explain that this matter had been concluded. The representative was unable to explain to me why I owed £76.65. She also said that no attempt had been made to retrieve the months payment which had previously been agreed, but that this was something that we could conclude now if I was willing. She then asked for £24.00. £24.00 would be equal to an annual premium of £288, so I refused to pay. I have since received a text message from C.A.R.S. debt collection agency asking me to call them urgently – I assume that this is as a result of my dispute with Bennetts. As a result of these proceedings I now refuse to pay Bennetts any more money. Your misleading letter and subsequent debiting of my account resulted in me missing lectures, receiving an unauthorised overdraft fee, and having to borrow money from friends. The numerous calls that I have had to make to Bennetts has cost me money, and the time spent writing not only this letter but also the letter to my bank, would be better spent on my coursework. If you feel that this position is unreasonable and continue to attempt to take payment from me, I will be seeking legal advice. Additionally if you do continue and I find that I have a case to sue Bennetts for the inconvenience they have caused me, then I will do so. Before you decide to make further attempts to take payment, I will take this opportunity to direct you to The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, Part 2, Sections 2, 3 and 4. Please be advised that as of now I am only prepared to communicate with representatives of Bennetts in writing. Please also note that my correct address is the one supplied at the top of this letter and to my knowledge this is the address that I have always supplied, and that further letters addressed to XXX may not be received. What do you think? Any and all comments would be very very much appreciated.