Vodafone have put a default on my credit report and are causing me undue stress and anxiety due to a phone I had stolen in Barcelona. The thieves stole my phone and within a few hours racked up a bill over £2,000 by ringing premium numbers and putting them on hold to ring the same numbers - over 900 calls were made. It is clear that my phone was used as some sort of organised crime activity and there have been many cases in the press of Vodafone lumping other people with bills like this, only to waive the bill when brought to the attention of the press. I am now at the point of contacting press as this seems the only way Vodafone comes to a fair decision. I have not long graduated and instead of enjoying being young I am beginning to get depressed - I have debt collectors after me, a ruined credit report and no idea of how to get out of this situation. anyone got any other tips on how to deal with this situation or anyone had a similar experience? Forgot to mention that the incident occurred in September 2014, a default was registered on my report May 2015 and the account was apparently sold on to a DCA in the last few weeks

Hi. In 2007 my husband died, we unfortunately had no life insurance. Our mortgage was with GMAC RFC. Without my husbands salary I couldn’t afford the mortgage, they were charging me massive interest rates etc After a year I did a voluntary repossession. They then sold the house at a massive under value and DMS are now chasing me for a shortfall of £107k. I am a single mum who is surviving on benefits now in rented accommodation. I obviously don’t have the money they want. As I was in the accident that killed my husband, I had horrendous life saving injuries and it has taken me a long time to get on my feet but I received a personal injury settlement. However this was not a large amount and I have since paid all my debts to others and which has left me with nothing. What more do these people want? I have lost my husband, my health and my house. 6 years on they are chasing me. I want to try to get on with my life but obviously can’t. What are my options – do I see if they will accept a really low settlement offer or do I let them take me to court and go bankrupt (I have nothing to loose as I have nothing) or do I start to fight them (or the original mortgage company) who sold the house for far less – I have copies of valuations that I had done that were between 80k and 130k more than what they sold for and other smaller properties on the street sold for more and the house is up for sale again at a vastly higher price without any major work being done to it? It is hard enough losing your husband trying to survive with two young children without having to go through all this as well. I don’t have the energy to fight this and will take the easiest stress free option but I have nothing and do not want these parasites to be involved in my life forever. Any advice really very appreciated.

Hi All, Apologies if I am repeating a previous thread but I am after some urgent advice. I have 4 DCA's that I was dealing with through a DMC. I have a lump sum available and have stopped using the DMC now and have been talking with the DCA's directly, I have came to agreements of partial settlements with 2 of them but as of yet I haven't paid anything to them. I have been reading these forums and realise what I should have done is send a CCA request to them all before arranging partial settlements. My question is what happens if it turns out they have no legal right to collect my debt, the debts are no longer on my credit file. Can I simply refuse to pay them and write the debt off? Thank you in advance, Mike

Hi people, Firstly this website has been a godsend, with all the posts and help i have decided to take my head out of the sand and fight. I hate motormile, they are abusive, threating and pray on peoples lack of knowledge.... so i done my research and sent them this as they keep threating to come to my house. This was even after i sent the "Tort of Trespass" and repeated requests to stop harassing me as i take panic attacks Anyway i hope this helps others. Dears Sirs, Further to my email here are the OFT guidelines on Debt collection visits as i feel you may be unaware of them; Debt Collection Visits; 3.11 Those visiting debtors must not act in an unclear or threatening manner. 3.12 Examples of unfair practices are: a. not making the purpose of any proposed visit clear, for example, it is not sufficient to merely state that collectors or field agents will call and not state what they want to achieve by visiting the debtor b. visiting a debtor when it is known they are vulnerable (by reason of age or health or disability), for example, when a doctor's certificate has been provided stating that the debtor is ill c. not leaving the property when it becomes apparent that the debtor is distressed or otherwise vulnerable, for example if it is suspected that the debtor might have insufficient mental capacity to make an informed repayment decision at that time d. entering a property without the debtor's consent or an appropriate court order e. not leaving a property when reasonably asked to do so f. visiting or threatening to visit a debtor without his prior agreement when the debt is deadlocked or disputed g. not giving adequate notice of the time and date of a visit h. visiting debtors, unless requested, at potentially inappropriate locations such as work or hospital. These guidelines further substantiate my claim of harassment and if your current practice of threats continue i will file a complaint on these guidelines. Good Luck http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2012/21-12

Hello everyone. I have a situation that I would really like to asked for your advice please. I had gone to arrears with Next directory by 90 days after being a loyal customer for 5 years. This is mainly due to a drop of income because of an illness. They initially passed on the debt of £814 to Brecon Debt Recovery on which they have accepted a 50% F&F settlement. I have promised to pay provided that everything is put into writing. Now since the 1st letter(& only) they have sent in writing was not comprehensive, the last letter that I sent to them was to confirm in writing about me from any liability to be pursued with the remaining debt & such. I sent it to 3 postal address (Their PO Box, the registered office & also to Next) in case they would claim that they never received it. I stated that, payment will be made once I have receive their response. I never got a response after that but it has been delivered (sent it by recorded delivery). It was sent on the 14th. Last friday (25th), I have received another letter, this time from Moorcroft. The letter they have sent is the common letter being sent by DCA's, with boldly written "intended litigation" saying they have been instructed by Next to recover the debt. Where do I go from here? Should I write Brecon or Next why passed the debt to another DCA when they have accepted the offer already? Are they allowed to do this? It is clear that I have no intention to run away from the debt since I promised to pay, but all I was asking is a written evidence just in case they pursue me again in the future. Or should I start all over again with Moorcroft? I don't have a signed CCA with Next because I was made a customer from ordering online. Thank you for any advice!!!

Received a letter from Lombard that they are handing all my details over to Arrow Global on the 5th December 2011, today i received a letter from Arrow Global saying that Westcot Credit Services will be collecting the debt on their behalf and any dealing regarding this debt are to be addressed to Westcott. The last correspondence i had with Royal Bank Of Scotland and their debt collection agency "Arden Debt Management" was a letter sent recorded saying the account was in dispute. Arden went quiet However Lombard sent me statement on a regular basis and then they sent the letter stating that they had sold or transferred the debt to "Arrow Global" Do i do anything at this stage or do i make the first move to Westcott stating that the debt of £1727.71 is in dispute with the Royal Bank of Scotland and they have bought a duff debt. Can they put a mark on my credit file if i don't play ball. Can Westcott legally chase me for the money.

Dear All, After just finished dealing with the Identity Theft problems (my other thread) , here I am again, someone please help me... I own a flat and pay service charge always on time to the Managing Agent. The service charge period run from April to March. I notified the Managing Agent that I was working aborad by email. However, while I was abroad, the new Managing Agent was appointed in April 2013. And they sent me the service charge bills in advance for 01 April 2013 to 31 March 2014. They quickly transferred this to the DCA called Property Debt Colletion Ltd (PDC). Now that I am back in the UK, I saw the reminders and threatening letters so I immediately settled the full amount of service charge directly to the Managing Agent and apologised to them and explaining them that I was abroad and I always pay my service charge and ground rent in advance on time. However, they said, saying sorry is too late and I have to pay for the Arrears Collection Fees, Legal costs, and other DCA costs of £300. What I want to know is that this service charge is for the period April 2013 to March 2014. I settled the full amount in August 2013. Am I legally "Late" for payment?? Is it legal for them to charge me £300 extra costs, just for being late for a few months? I checked my Lease and it says as follows, honestly I dont understand the legal words, somebody please help me.. "In pursuance of the said agreement and in consideration of the payment by the Tenant to the Landlord of the Premium and of the Rent and of the convenants on the part of the Tenant hereinafter contained and on the part of the Tenant to be observed and performed the Landlord HEREBY DEMISES unto the Tenant the Demised Premises TOGETHER WITH the rights set out in the Second Schedule hereto but EXCEPTING AND RESERVING the rights set out in the Third Schedule hereto TO HOLD the same unto the Tenant for the Term SUBJECT TO all rights easements privileges restrictions covenants and stipulations of whatever nature affecting the Demised Premises so far as the same are subsisting and capable of being enforced and affect the Demised Premises YEILDING AND PAYING therefore the Rent in advance without any deduction whatsoever on 1st January in each year (the first such payment being a proportionate sum being due on and from the date hereof until 31st December next following) and by way of additional rent the Service Charge as herein provided Tenant's Covenants I To pay the Rent at the times and in the manner aforesaid"

Having successfully sent the mother company Cabot packing, they have now brought out the pop-guns against me in the form of a letter from FIRE Ltd. So I did a couple of the usual checks on them. First Companies House: 'Kings Hill (No 2) Ltd' company number 03959268 became 'Financial Investigations and Recoveries (Europe) Ltd' company number 03958421 on the 14 March 2005. Of course the registered address of Kings Hill (No 2) Ltd as we all know is .... 1 KINGS HILL AVENUE KINGS HILL WEST MALLING KENT ME19 4UA Next The Information Commissioner's Office: Registration Number: Z511230X Date Registered: 11 January 2001 Registration Expires: 10 January 2010 Data Controller: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS AND RECOVERIES (EUROPE) LIMITED Address: C/O CABOT FINANCIAL (EUROPE) LIMITED 1 KINGS HILL AVENUE KINGS HILL WEST MALLING KENT ME19 4UA Now the interesting bit: When applying for a data controller licence, it is the applicant's duty to keep the record up to date. Not to do so within 28 days of a known change is a criminal offence. In accordance with the rules quite clearly laid out on the application form: Data controller address If you are a limited company you must provide your registered office address. In all other cases you must provide the address of your principal place of business. If there is no place of business (e.g. for a small local voluntary body) you should provide the address of the official who has completed the form. Now, according to their letters and Companies House, the registered address for FIRE Ltd is Unit 5 Mitchell Court, Castle Mound Way, Central Park, Rugby, Warwickshire. CV23 0UY. Therefore the address for FIRE on the ICO website, which should be the registered data controller address (I've checked with them) is wrong. I have sent a letter pointing this out to the ICO. What I don't know is if this invalidates their data controller licence, so making their actions in processing my (or anyone else's) data unlawful whilst this address remains unamended.

Hi I hope somebody can help please I have received 16 letters from Empingham stating that I owe a debt to N Power. Each letter has a different account number and different amounts that they say I owe. In total they say that I owe over £25000. This does not look right to me as I cannot remember ever having had an account with N Power. Any advice would be much appreciated. Regards Kim

Hello everyone I would be very grateful for any advice on the following: Recently had cause to look at Hubby's credit file 1. Hubby works away so I usually deal with accounts. Have a complaint with Vanquis over penalty charges since 9th Jan 2012 which they can't locate despite this being lodged over the phone and in writing. 2. Find out recently that hubby has defaulted 31/05/2012. Since going into dispute his account has been placed on hold with 1st Credit and C.A.R.S whilst they investigate the claims. 3. Contacted Vanquis/ Impact over the phone intially to be told taht he actually defaulted 27th October 2011, with default notice being sent out 10th Oct 2011. The thing is nothing was received as shown on his credit file he was up to date.A payment was made for £49.76 on the 26th Oct that is showing on statements as 28th Oct. Impact/Vanquis state that the default ammount was his outstanding balance of £541. Requests for the default notice have not been met. 4. The customer relations have re-lodged his complaint as we did set up another direct debit in January which was not set up. Since then every DCA have placed his account on hold until they investigate. 5. Impact are well, unhelpful to say the least. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all i have a debt that was from 2005 from 02 i have totally ignored everything about the debt since it was an issue over insurance i had a few letters from Lowell then months later they have started from reds including voicemails left on home phone which is ex directory?? important message please call Red immediately!! same on the letters. Today i got one saying i have 10 days to pay i get a 50% discount if i dont pay within 10 days they will pass it on to a field agent who will come and discuss the matter face to face!! I have not responded at all to this debt to 02 lowells reds or anyone else thats had a go nor will i it is 7 years old so im presuming it is no longer enforcable it is no longer on my credit file does anyone have any idea what to do if someone comes calling on the door i will deffo not respond to any letters or phone calls Thanks in advance for any help.

Had a debt from Holland of 35k euro from 2004/5 recently had a letter from cci legal saying they were acting on behalve of the client to recover the debt Some very helpful folk here told me it couldnt be enforced therefore to forget it as i have never aknowledged this debt in holland or here ever! Had a letter today saying i had 10 days to pay...lol! or they would get the clients permission to take this further and start legal proceedings which could be enforced by bankruptcy etc etc am i right in thinking this debt is statute barred it has never been on my credit file it was a default on a mortgage in 2004 when the work dried up the property was auctioned i found out and obviously a dutch agency passed the debt on to Cci legal Anyone have any ideas where i stand this is begining to get worrying thanks.

I would imagine if your anything like me, I end up frustrated because the system isn't geared to listen to the small man. We find ourselves in a spot of bother and need some time to get clear, and all you get is hassle by mail...by phone...even people knocking on your door. Well their is one way to vent you frustrations, and believe it or not, Google is your helping hand. It's called Google places. Search for a company using Google, in my case it was Credit Solutions Limited in Purley, Surrey, then on the left hand side of the search results page where it offers you different ways to search (images, maps, videos etc) click on maps and find the company on the maps search, if you have a FREE Google, you can leave a review on the companies Google places page. and if enough people leave appropriate reviews the company will notice, especially if they are detrimental. Unlike Qype, Yelp and other review directories that will remove a poor rating form the listing, Google don't, unless its in-appropriate, so 3 rules, Get a FREE Google Account Leave a review on the company you are in disagreement with Don't make it innapropriate. So there it is, a place to vent against the company you are having trouble with. Good luck

Hi guys HUGE fan of the forum! has really helped me combat the pay day loan debt I have! Basically, I have a small debt with the pay day loan company PayDay Express. I was made redundant after I took out the small loan and have not been able to pay them back in full yet. About five weeks ago they used my card without my knowing or permission to take money out of my Natwest account, unfortunately there wasn't any money in that account so it went overdrawn! I have a Select account with Natwest which doesn't have an overdraft so its a unarranged overdraft! I was unaware of this and as soon as I found out a few weeks ago I paid it off! Now Natwest have written to me and said they are going to charge me £72!! The unarranged overdraft was only £13! Which I have paid along with a "returned item fee" of £6! My problem is my card was used without my knowing or permission by some sort of rogue creditor trying to forcefully take money from my account! Is there anything I can do about the charges????

Can anyone please help with some advice on how to proceed with this? I checked my experian credit file a few days ago and was surprised to find a default from global arrow for £172! Started: Feb 2006 Defaulted: Aug 2006 Satisfied: Feb 2012 I then went on to check credit expert and equifax and both have listed this account also. Call credit lists similar details to experian in that I defaulted and it has this month been satisfied....Equifax lists that the account was settled by payment in Aug 2006 and no default is shown! I contacted arrow global who put me through to Fredrickson and after several calls managed to speak to a girl who couldn't understand what was going on. She said that according to their files the balance was still outstanding and was for argos additions. She said she would look into this and she called me back today. No she is telling me that the account was supressed for 5 1/2 years and they have no idea why and it was due to go live this week so I would expect to be recieving letters to make an arrangement to pay!! Firstly I can't understand why it would take so long to appear on my credit file..5 1/2 years The differences between experian and call credit stating default and equifax stating satisfied why the account would lie "suppressed" for so long I have never satisfied the account as I never even knew it existed ......most importantly I have never had a argos additions account in my life and I am 100% certain of that. She advised me that once I receive my letter from them asking for payment I could call her up and she would put the account into dispute while it was looked into. I know by others experiences and my own past experiences that it is unlikely to be as simple as that. I advised her that I must be a victim of identity fraud and would be contacting the police with copies of my files etc to gain a crime reference number,....she said that if i did this then the file would be closed down etc. My main concern is the hanging around waiting for the debt letter to hit my doorstep....do I wait or do I take the matter into my own hands first by writing out to these companies to get the ball rolling? or do I wait until it falls of my account in a few months to save me the grief of trying to fight with a hundred different agencies!? Any advice on the best course of action would be greatly appreciated please.

Hi CAG Colleagues I had a debt with BT to the tune of £480.00 which has now been cleared. Past Due Credit Solutions have added on top of this debt £131.46 in admin fees - to stress, I have not paid this. To cut a long story short, I wrote to them in June 2011 asking for a full breakdown of their fees. A few days later, I received an acknowledgement letter and that it would look into the matter. However, I was also warned that as the debt belonged to them, there will be admin fees levied as per the BT contract, citing their 'reasonable' fees (I think not!), and PD will reply in 10 working days. Then, nothing.....until the 15th December, when I received another letter from them, requesting the same amount which they promised to investigate. I wrote a complaint letter to them, stating that it was their responsibility to adhere to deadlines, and requesting another breakdown. I also cited the OFT Leaflet 664 Sec 2.9 Debt Collection Guidance. I then received another letter from PD on the 29th December, offering me a lower payment offer of £98.06. I rang the OFT, who advised me to ring the Telephone Ombudsman. I can't do that as I have not made a complaint to BT. Also rang Consumer Direct, who were stuck as they could not find any legislation on what is termed as 'reasonable', and only a CC Judge can only make the final decision. I have dealt with Debt Collection Agencies in the past, and they have been happy to waive the admin fees as soon as you mention the words OFT. For some reason, Past Due seem to be ignoring this. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.