I know - the guy who wrote the email above is barely literate…

I am prepared to use it; I’m retired, so I’ve got time on my hands, and I’ve got the money too. It’s the principle of the matter that winds me up; Lowells and their lick-spittles are effectively demanding money with menaces.

HI, thanks for all that; i’ve written to Budget a strong letter, demanding an explanation and reimbursement with the threat of action in the small claims court. I’ll keep the post topped up with any developments.

Right, now had an email from them: Hello Mrs X, Thanks for that. I can that the outstanding balance relates to a Budget Car Insurance policy which was taken out for a ****** ****, registration **** ***. Our records show that the last payment received towards the account was £17.99 on the 3rd of September 2012 and that the policy was cancelled on the 23rd of October 2012. The outstanding balance comprises of an unpaid premium of £20.38 and a cancellation fee of £75.00. I understand you are dispute regarding this account. The account is currently being managed on our behalf by Tocatto. In light of this I kindly request that you contact Tocatto directly with full details of your dispute using the following details: Tocatto Ltd. 5 Fulwood Business Park Caxton Road Preston PR2 9NZ 0844 815 0687 Once full details of your dispute have been provided to them, they will be able to investigate the matter thoroughly with BGL. Any advice, please? SG

Again, thanks for all that. If they get back to us, I’ll update this thread. SG

Thanks for that; I’m rather hoping they try to make a fight of it, as, legally, I think we’re on rock solid ground.

I should add that at no point have Budget written to my wife since she wrote to them cancelling the policy.

Hi, this is my situation. My wife received a letter from a DCA called ‘Lowell portfolio I’ claiming that a ‘debt’ from a motor insurance company (Budget) has been 'assigned' to them (Lowell). They state that my wife ‘owes' a sum just under £100.00. The background is that my wife had motor insurance with Budget, but her car was scrapped in Sept 2011. She notified Budget of this by post, and stated that she would maintain the policy up until it’s expiry in March, 2012. (As the fee for cancellation was nearly as much as the remaining balance). However, Budget rolled-over the direct debit, even though they had been explicitly told that she would not be renewing. (They have a habit of doing this, even doing it to my dead father!) She didn’t notice the payment leaving her account until early this year. She cancelled the DD and we wrote to Budget explaining this. We heard no more, until we got this letter from Lowell. My wife sent Lowell an email explaining the circumstances: Regarding your letter dated 10th July, your reference 130779036. There seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of Budget insurance. I have not owned a car for over two years, and my motor insurance policy was allowed to run to its natural term, when it was cancelled. I subsequently discovered that Budget continued to take payments from my bank account without my authority, so I cancelled the direct debit and notified them of this. I owe neither them nor you anything, indeed, they owe me money. I will not tolerate harassment or threats from you in this matter, and will immediately refer such to my solicitor. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. As yet, they have not responded, but the letter from them, threatening to refer the matter to their recoveries business (Tocatto Ltd), has unnerved and upset her. Personally, I am always up for a fight with this type of organisation, but I hate to see my wife distressed. What should I do next? Any advice will be much appreciated. SG