Sorry been away doing the chores of domestic bliss. I am domiciled in the UK, though I do spend at least six months abroad when working. I am responsible for NI and tax. There is no pension scheme. There is no jurisdictional clause within my contract, the company address is stated as the UK.

Thanks for your help and for taking the time to look at my plight. My immediate problem is that they are not most honest folk in the world; they have lied on a great many occasions about a multitude of things including (it seems) their status as employers and my status as an employee, presumably in the hope that I'll just go away. I worked outside of the UK, but attended paid training run by them within the UK. My pay was from their UK bank account to my UK bank account. My original contract states that I was contracted by the company for a period of up to four months, but this was ultimately determined by the length of the job. This varied from a few weeks to four months. After this initial job was done I was never given another contract to sign - but I was not allowed to work for anyone else. I was supplied a uniform, which I had to wear. I was given tools to carry out my job. I was given a code of conduct to work under. I was subject to a standard disciplinary code. (Verbal warning/written warning/possible dismissal) I do have pay slips, but not to hand right now, I am over at my partner’s place the slips are at mine...I will have them on the morrow. Again many thanks for you help on this.

PM sent Becky, many thanks.

Hi everybody. I have a toughie to crack (and it’s a bit long winded). I have been dismissed by my company for repeatedly complaining about their (very questionable and in some cases very illegal) internal policies. I complained about that too and have been told that as I am in fact a “contractor” and as they are registered off shore (Caribbean) I have no right to do anything. The company is registered offshore for tax purposes, operates worldwide (as did I), but has its operating headquarters in the UK – the CEO, finance, logistics, business development etc. are all based in the UK on a full time basis and all work as employees of the company. I have looked into this with a learned fellow (who for personal reasons can’t help me anymore), and have found that due to many factors I am in fact an employee and I am entitled to complain. However I am unclear on a couple or three things which are: My original “contract” was for a four month period and has never been renewed since 2007 – I have had no contract of any sort since late 2007. Does anyone have any notion as to how this would affect any case against my former employer? The company state that all staff work under a disciplinary code (verbal warning/written warning/dismissal) – this was completely ignored to dismiss me. I am looking into instigating an employment tribunal based on the above (and a whooole lot more), but would very much appreciate any insight?

They have returned the postal order. I think I can consider this one finished and put to bed…but if these muppets bring up anything else I’ll put it up on here. Thanks for the all the advice folks.

Allo again folks, I’ve been away with the job and I have returned to the UK. Awaiting me was the “proof” from Close Credit Management and their “client”. It’s hilarious…I could knock out a better construct on my laptop. It has my name next to an amount…and that’s it. There’s nothing with my signature, no address, there’s nothing on it except my name and an amount with an Orange Logo. I can’t see how anyone could consider this as proof of anything…it’s a low quality deskjet doodle, frankly MS Office would do a better job than this. I really feel like getting on phone and telling these chimps to get lost. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks for the help folks - I will let you know how this pans out.

Its Orange and the "alleged debt" is on offer from Close Credit Management Limited, and dates from (according to them) March 2006.

No, I sent a copy of a much longer (sorry I haven’t got the link) - “You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed. I wish to point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed. I do not acknowledge ANY debt to your company. I require you to supply the following documentation before I will correspond further on this matter. 1. You must supply me with a true copy of the alleged agreement you refer to. This is my right under your obligation to supply a copy of the agreement under the legislation contained within s.78 (1) Consumer Credit Act 1974 (s.77 (1) for fixed sum credit) - your obligation also extends to providing a statement of account. I enclose £1 in payment of the statutory fee” etc etc. I will copy and paste the link you have given me today, and hopefully that will be the end of it. I will update on their reply, many thanks Out of curiosity, is communication via email to these maniacs any less valid than snail mail?

Hi everybody! I have been approached by a DCA for a debt I don’t know anything about. They claim I owe this money for a five year old phone bill, which I have never heard of. After perusing the many many pages of sagely wisdom on here, I sent off a pre-written letter to the DCA asking them to provide documentary proof of the debt. The DCA have come back and stated that as the “debt” is for a service; it is therefore not covered by the CCA; and so they don’t have to provide documented evidence of this debt. My take on this, is that anyone (pretty much) can knock a letter up and state that anyone owes anyone money and pursue them for it. I’m sort of sniggering at this, although not too much as I am probably on a blacklist (I’m still awaiting a credit report). This cannot be legal, but it doesn't seem to slow them down. I’m hoping for advice along the lines of: “cut and paste this document here”, type…but after reading a few pages on here about the conduct of some of these shysters: the old “attach the mercury tilt switch and dynamite to their car” doesn’t seem like such a bad idea for resolving problems.