Thanks. I'll give it a go.

I'll write a letter on her behalf asking for more proof of the debt. Is there a 'proper' name for the initial paperwork you sign when taking out a credit card that I can request they send? My minds gone blank! Thanks Milly

I'm not sure, I will have to ask her, but she may have unknowingly signed the original letter to them stating that the debt wasn't hers. I believe the company is called Cabot. I don't know if she reported the card as stolen. From what she has told me, the robbery caused her so much stress she just locked herself away and didn't do a thing - so I'm guessing not. The police may have a record of her purse being stolen at the time. Unfortunately, it's difficult to get precise information from her, as she doesn't want to talk about it, or be reminded about it - which is exactly what Cabot are forcing her to do. Will they really try to take her to Court before September? I dread to think what effect that will have on her. They've provided the statements for the account, but not the initial paperwork for the card itself. If they could provide that then this might prove it was definitely her debt and we could try and sort it out. Are Cabot allowed to slap on interest/charges that amount to over double what the original debt was? From what I can tell, the letter you 'attached' is very similar to the one she actually sent - but with her own words. When she asked them for proof that the debt was hers - they just sent copies of the statements. Surely that's not proof - is it? Thanks for your help. Milly

Sorry, I may have written that wrong. She hasn't informed the police yet, she was waiting for the details of the card to come through. When they sent the copy statements, she recognises some of the 'purchases' as being in places where she used to shop - including the place where she worked/the robbery took place. She is now thinking that the debt could be hers and doesn't want to involve the police if it is, but it's pushing her memory back to the robbery and this is distressing for her. If the debt is hers, will it become statue barred in September this year? If she decides to pay the debt to rid her of the stress, will she have to pay the massive interest the debt collection agency have slapped on top? Sorry for the confusion, but thanks for your response. Milly

My friend received a letter from a debt collection agency regarding a credit card she claims she has never heard of. Naturally, she wrote a letter to the debt collection agency advising that she had never heard of this credit card and could they send her the details of the account so she could inform the police. About 2 months later they sent copies of the statement which state that the last payment made was Sept 2003. Some of the places where the card was used were where she used to go. Unfortunately, in 2003 my friend was involved in an armed robbery where the robbers stuck a gun in her face, threatened to kill her and stole her handbag containing her purse. She suffered with post traumatic stress after this and has subconsciously blanked out the whole event. This letter from the debt collection agency is stressing her even more as she is now having to recap the history of that awful event and try to remember if she DID actually have the said credit card - a history she would rather forget. So, I have offered to help her. My questions are: 1) Does her letter to the debt collection agency stand as acknowledgement of the debt - even though in the letter she denied the debt was hers? 2) If the last payment was made in September 2003, does this mean it becomes statue barred in September 2009 (this year)? 3) The amount they say she owes is double what the original debt was and from the time she sent her letter advising the debt was not hers to the time they provided the copy statements they have added an extra £200. Are they allowed to do this? To ease stress, my friend would rather paid the outstanding amount and forget about it - but is not willing to pay the excessive interest, considering this is the first time she has heard of the debt. Any help would be appreciated. Milly

Yes, plus some compensation for the stress they've caused her - good thinking, might try it.

Just an update. My mother got a call from Aol this morning... apologising for their error! Apparently, looking at the dates etc, they charged her again the month after her cancellation so they in fact owe HER money! They say they are going to call back next week to arrange a refund. We'll see what happens...

Right... I'm off to type some letters! Thanks for your help - very much appreciated

Lol!... I can't wait to! These low lifes need a few slaps back in my opinion, and so do Aol. Is it worthwhile reporting them to OFT?

I sent the harrassment letter on Monday, but I'm not sure they've got it yet as they phoned my mother again at 8:15am this morning! Then, in this mornings post she gets another letter saying she owes Aol £xx's and if she believes she does not, can she provide proof of her cancellation with Aol. She actually cancelled with Aol over the phone and the only email she had from them was the one with the MAC code which has been deleted by Aol as they only stay in your folder for a short time. The only proof she has is her phone bill - which proves she phoned them before and after her transfer to BT. They have also asked for proof of when BT took over her broadband - which she has (the day after her last payment to aol!). Do we send the info they require, or stick to our guns that she owes nothing and wait for them to take her to Court? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Milly

Brilliant! Thanks

Hi again. I have sent a 'prove it' letter to Advantis which they will probably get today. Unfortunately though, my mother received a telephone call from them this morning and answered as she did not recognise the number. They asked if she was Mrs ? - she said yes. They then asked her to confirm her address. She slammed the phone down on them then phoned me up in floods of tears. Today, I am writing to Aol demanding an explanation for this debt. Should I advise them exactly what evidence I have to say my mother owes them nothing, or should I just ask for their explanation? Thanks

Thanks

Thanks. I have tried to reassure her myself, but maybe reading your comments and advice will make her feel a little better. Yes, she has all the evidence regarding payments etc, so I don't think they have a leg to stand on really.

My elderly mother has received a letter and a phone call (a recorded message) from a company called Advantis saying that she owes £36 to AOL. My mother has never been in debt before and it has really shaken her up, so much so she can't sleep. Having checked her paperwork for a recap, AOL took a payment from her account on 20 Aug and on 21 Aug, her broadband was taken over by BT. She contacted AOL prior to the changeover date (as advised by me) to ask for the MAC code and inform them that she was cancelling her account. She called them again after BT took over because she wasn't happy they'd taken a months payment out of her account the day before her changeover. She asked for this back, which they agreed to do, but she never received it. She decided to let it pass and accept the fact that she'd paid a months fee for the sake of 1 day. (Note: she was past her 12 month contract period). She has no idea why this company are threatening legal action. She owes AOL nothing and has her telephone bills to prove that she called them before and after her changeover to BT. Can anyone advise me on what she should do. She's not a well lady and this is making her worse. Thanks