Nope. Keep pushing to find out how they came about to the amount you allegedly owe. If DCA's come on the scene, tell them to do one. Freds are one of the lowest rated DCA's and rely on threats and intimidation. They couldnt care less about what you say.

 

All they see is the big number on the spreadsheet and they get greedy.

Thanks for the advice. How do I go about telling them to naff off and is it them I should be asking how they arrived at that amount?

Really appreciate your help.

Dont just ignore them. If they take you to court they would likely win.

Another poster above suggests I ignore them, so now I'm a bit confused.

Also, how would they win in court if my evidence stacks up that I was fully entitled, I've sent my evidence before, and was ignored, and I am disputing this. Surely there must be something in law that if it under dispute recovery action should be stayed?

If I contact these people I will have to make payments, effectively acknowledging a debt I don't acknowledge!

Really? Amazing how our government attempts to regulate other financial institutions but falls short when it's right under their noses.

Well, they can sing for it as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the info guys. I sent two letters to HMRC - one a dispute letter (see below) and an SAR. Both signed for on the 14th July 2014.

The crux of the dispute letter was the following:

"I dispute responsibility for all alleged tax credit overpayments in my name. Please provide a complete breakdown of how these alleged overpayments occurred, what changes and calculations were made to these awards, where you got the information from for these calculations and all other figures involved including current balances.

As I am now disputing the alleged overpayments, all threats to pursue ‘further action’ must now cease as per your own code of practice (COP26)."

Guess who's still calling and texting? Guess you sent me a Letter Before Action this morning? You got it - Fredricksons.

There are words I'd like to use to describe them, but I'd offend even the hardest of ears...

Thanks for the info guys. I sent two letters to HMRC - one a dispute letter (see below) and an SAR. Both signed for on the 14th July 2014.

The crux of the dispute letter was the following:

"I dispute responsibility for all alleged tax credit overpayments in my name. Please provide a complete breakdown of how these alleged overpayments occurred, what changes and calculations were made to these awards, where you got the information from for these calculations and all other figures involved including current balances.

As I am now disputing the alleged overpayments, all threats to pursue ‘further action’ must now cease as per your own code of practice (COP26)."

Guess who's still calling and texting? Guess you sent me a Letter Before Action this morning? You got it - Fredricksons.

There are words I'd like to use to describe them, but I'd offend even the hardest of ears...

Hello there

I was fully entitled to and received WTC during 2010 and 2011.

Last year, out of the blue, I received a demand for nearly £5,000 for allegedly overpaid WTC during 2010-2011. I thought this was odd and called them and they advised they didn't receive my proof of entitlement at the time. Very strange as they had had everything at the time. I sent it all in again and didn't hear from them again, so thought that was that.

Last week I received the same demand again and couldn't believe it. They have had all my proof twice now, but the only communication I get seems to be a yearly demand.

To add insult to injury, they have already passed my account to debt collectors Fredrickson International, who are also bombarding me with texts and calls.

To say I'm livid is an understatement!! I seemingly need to trawl through all my 3-4 year old paperwork AGAIN!

I need to deal with this once and for all, so was wondering what my best course of action is? I would like to communicate with someone more senior at HMRC. It's really not on!!

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Is this bus for business or pleasure, is it insured as SDP ?

Business.

Hi spinningfish

 

Here's some information:-

 

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/cars_garage_repairs_and_services_e.htm

Thank you. Great link!

Just to clarify the garage's comment that cleaning the system isn't covered by warranty. Surely it must be as a service!

Hello there

My minibus developed a fault during the summer of last year where initially the engine light would come on and at the same time it would cut out once the fuel level got down to around half way. The fault then developed into the bus going into limp mode nearly all the time.

Took it to my local garage, which is a Bosch Injection Specialist, which is the bus's injection system, and they diagnosed the Diesel High Pressure Fuel Pump, which they replaced and £600 later cured the limp mode problem. It didn't however cure the cutting out at half a tank problem.

The bus went back and they said there was dirt in the system, which they cleaned and charged about £120 to do. For around a month it cured the problem. Unfortunately it started cutting out again.

I called them and they said that if it needed further cleaning it would be chargeable, and not covered under warranty. Now, unless I'm being totally naive, when a HP Fuel Pump is changed, shouldn't the fuel system be cleaned as a matter of course? Even if that is not the case, shouldn't the bus be sorted under warranty as the cleaning undertaken wasn't sufficient and therefore wasn't done properly?

I wrote to them, special delivery:

Dear Garage

My business partner, xxxxx, was in touch again recently as our bus is back in and out of limp mode again. This was the original fault, which you will remember was initially deemed to be the HP Fuel Pump, which you replaced in October 2013. This corrected the fault of the bus running nearly consistently in 'limp home mode', but did not correct the other part of the original fault of the bus pulling the same fault code and cutting the engine once it got to around half a tank. The bus was returned in early December to rectify this and I believe some dirt was found in the fuel system (??) which was cleaned and initially seemed to rectify the problems.

This, unfortunately, did not last long and within a matter of a few weeks, the bus was cutting out again. When xxxxxx called, he was apparently advised that if the fuel system needed further cleaning there would be additional charges.

I have to say that I don't believe this should be the case. We paid £660 for the first repair, and circa £150 for the second (I don't have the invoice to hand, so please correct me on this!), yet the second repair probably should have been covered by the first job's warranty as the original fault was never rectified. To pay to have the bus back in a third time, with the same fault, really isn't on.

I don't doubt your honesty and integrity and know you have always worked hard to get to the bottom of the problem.

I look forward to your response on this matter and trust it will receive your urgent attention.

Kind Regards

Their response emailed to me:

Further to recent receipt of you letter dated 28th April.

Firstly please accept our apologies for the delay in responding and we are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your vehicle.

After careful appraisal of the works that we have carried out to your vehicle XX54 XXX, we respectfully respond as follows.

We are happy to reschedule an appointment to access the fault with your vehicle - Your colleague had previously scheduled an appointment for the week commencing Monday 17th February, unfortunately that time has now passed.

Work carried out on 11/10/13 replacing the HP fuel pump was necessary after careful diagnostics, testing and a successful repair. Unfortunately repairs carried out on 13/12/2013 were due to contamination/ dirt particles in fuel tank hindering operation of fuel pick up flap causing symptoms experienced and not a problem with the fitted HP pump (i.e not covered under warranty).

We pride ourselves in working in a fair and honest manner. We standby our terms and conditions and warranty offered covering our repairs (as indicated on our invoice), however our warranty does not extend to additional parts/diagnostic/repairs that may be required, even if the symptoms experienced may be similar.

It is right and proper to clarify our position prior to starting work on your vehicle and that additional charges may apply as works may not be covered by our warranty (as discussed with xxxxx)

Fuel contamination/dirt particles in fuel system/tank are not covered under our warranty. (we obviously have no control on this and therefore it would be unreasonable to expect us to give a warranty on this)

I hope this helps to clarify our position , Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards

Can anyone advise whether we have a leg to stand on?

Many Thanks

Ahh well. Such is life.

Thanks for the advice.

My partner works full time, so the income based does not apply, irrespective of actual income apparently.

Hello

I'm self-employed and managed to break my ankle in mid December. I was advised that I could apply for Employment Support Allowance and went through the application process with the DWP.

I've had the response through today that I have been refused ESA as my NI contributions for the last tax year were not enough.

My business took a real hit during 2012 and it has been blood, sweat and tears to keep it afloat, which I have managed to do. I was awarded exemption from NI during this time.

My question is simply whether their decision is something that can be argued? I mean, Jesus Christ, do the thousands of pounds of NI that I have faithfully paid in the twenty years I have constantly worked count for nothing?

I would love to but have my ankle in a plaster cast - hence the legal route above all others! He's very lucky in that respect, believe me!

Accident was unrelated btw.

No receipt as such, but I've possibly acknowledged the half he paid in an email. Don't think I can legally repossess the car otherwise I would.

I'd love to send the heavies in for the upset caused at Christmas of all times!

Thank you, Sailor Sam.

I'll get it drafted and sent by recorded delivery tomorrow.

All the best

Hi Guys

I sold a car to a 'friend' back in September, and as he has recently had an accident and had some cash flow problems, I made an agreement with him to pay half (£1250) then and the remaining balance by 15th December 2013.

As you can probably guess, come the 15th he advised he didn't have the money and essentially it's my tough luck. Totally blasé.

In my naivety, I budgeted for that money to come in and now I can't afford rent, let alone buying anything for my son for Christmas. In the meantime he has had a lovely sleeve tattoo done. The 'friend' really couldn't care.

I have his acknowledgment of the agreement in writing, but the log book was signed over.

Apart from small claims do I have any legal recourse to get the vehicle back?

It's times like this that I wish I knew some heavies.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks, I'll drop them a letter to see how they've come by that calculation and go from there.

I'll let you know...

Many thanks

Nothing at all. Just a one page demand with the total amount.

Many thanks

Hello all

During the tax years of 2010 and 2011, I claimed Working Tax Credit as I was self-employed, on a low income and worked the required amount of hours.

Last year HMRC decided to review my case, and as I was not being paid an hourly rate, and being paid a lump sum per invoice, I was no longer entitled to WTC, even though I could easily show I was working the required number of hours weekly.

I did not have the stomach, nor the time, to keep arguing the toss with them so allowed my WTC to stop.

Just yesterday a bill from HMRC for just shy of £5,000 landed on my mat, asking for immediate payback or debt collection! Being self-employed they all my address details and this is the first bit of correspondence I've had asking for payback to something I was genuinely entitled to!!

They have not given me the option to contest this on the letter, but I darn well will. I didn't steal this money - I needed it when business was waning and I have worked bloody hard to improve my business in challenging times.

Hopefully, one of you lovely people can offer some advice of where to begin...

Blimey... I'd forgotten all about that!!

Can't remember if I did the SAR. Gonna fire up the old PC and see if it's on there.

Hello all

Received a summons today from Robinson Way/Hegarty LLP regarding a Citi Financial Loan taken out in February 2006. Been burying my head for a wee while now, hence this arriving for circa £8,000...

Without giving anything personal away, including the exact amounts, the particulars of the claim are as follows:

"The Claimant is the Assignee of a debt from Citi Financial Europe plc. Notice of assignment was provided to the Defendant by the Claimant in writing. Despite demand for payment the assigned debt remains due. The claimant complied with Section III and IV and Annex B of the PD Pre-Action Conduct.

And the Claimant Claims:

Personal Loan Account number XXXXXXX balance of £6,000 as of XX/04/07.

Interest under s69 of the County Court Act 1984 at the rate of 8% a year from the Default Date to 9/12/11 of £2,200 and also interest at the same rate up to the date of judgement or earlier payment at a daily rate of 1.33 AND costs."

I'm self-employed, but due to work drying up in recent months am now on Housing and Council Tax benefit, as well as Working Tax Credit and so the amount claimed is pretty frightening.

Really just wondering on whether I should just accept their claim, or contest the additional charges, or something else??

Hope someone can help!!

Many Thanks

Fish

Thanks Nicola.

Despite repeated contact with them requesting the refund, numerous call backs promised, and ignored emails, Pandora have come back with the findings of their 'report' only today!! They are again refusing to refund, saying they will only replace the ring as it is not a 'manufacturer's fault'. Surely offering to replace the ring admits their liability?

Anyway, we still want the blasted refund, so is it now time to go down the Trading Standards route?

Many thanks again.

Hello there

My girlfriend bought a ring from a Pandora Jewellery high street store on the 10th June 2011. The ring in question is sterling silver, set with cubic zirconia stones, costing £125.

Last week she discovered that two stones had dropped out of the ring and were missing, so being understandably upset she contacted the customer services number on Pandora's website and was told to take the ring back to store for a refund.

On Saturday we went into the store and were told they would have to send the ring away to be inspected. The ring itself is absolutely as it left the store - not misshapen or anything like that. Should I have been entitled to a refund there and then? I'm quite rightly concerned that their own inspection process is going to be biased towards themselves.

Many thanks as always!!