Collection letter received from The Litigation Services Co, what next?

[les3002]

Hi,

 

I recieved a letter a few weeks back asking for money for an elleged unpaid bill to United Utilities for an old address of mine, the letter didn't list dates just an amount, i binned it assuming there had been a mistake, they threatened court action if i didn't respond in 7 days.

 

Recieved another today from The Litigation Services Co stating that as my account remains unpaid they are going to "send the boys round" so to speak, i imagine they won't but obviously i need to find out now if this debt is actually owed by me or from a time i lived there and if they have any right to collect it.

 

What is the first step with this? A CCA? Not sure if i should send a CCA request as with it being for water there was never an agreement for credit as such??

 

Any ideas guys?

 

Thanks.

[ODC]

Utility Bills are not normally covered by the CCA.

 

Send them this

 

Dear Cretins

 

You have contacted me/us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

 

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

 

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

 

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

 

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

 

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

I/we await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

 

Please note that if you continue to telephone me at my place of employment I will rport you to the OFT as this is a clear breach of the OFT Guidelines on debt collection. As your company are also members of the CSA you are required to abide by their Code of Practice and failing to do so could render you liable to prosecution under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

Yours etc

[rameses_qc]

This ridiculously named company is not a member of CSA, so they must be absolutely rubbish; more incompetent than usual

[les3002]

Excellent cheers guys, I've ammended the bottom bit as they haven't contacted me at work and added a bit in about the doorstep calls, see where i go from here.

 

Should i send this registered post?

 

 

Dear Cretins

 

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself.

 

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to United Utilities.

 

I am familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

 

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

 

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

 

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

 

Further to the above, please be advised that I will only communicate with you in writing.

 

Should it be your intention to arrange a “doorstep call”, please be advised that under OFT rules, you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I have no wish to make an appointment with you.

 

There is only an implied license under English Common Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc (Armstrong v. Sheppard and Short Ltd [1959] 2 Q.B. per Lord Evershed M.R.). Therefore take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, or your representatives to visit me at my property and if you do so, then you will be liable to damages for a tort of trespass and action will be taken, including but not limited to, police attendance.

 

Yours faithfully

[cerberusalert]

They've had several names;

 

Name & Registered Office:

THE LITIGATION SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED

2297 COVENTRY ROAD

BIRMINGHAM

B26 3PU

Company No. 02409795

 

 

 

Status: Active

Date of Incorporation: 31/07/1989

 

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Company Type: Private Limited Company

Nature of Business (SIC(03)):

7499 - Non-trading company

Accounting Reference Date: 31/03

Last Accounts Made Up To: 31/03/2008 (DORMANT)

Next Accounts Due: 31/01/2010

Last Return Made Up To: 11/12/2008

Next Return Due: 08/01/2010

Last Members List: 11/12/2008

Previous Names:

Date of change Previous Name

26/05/2004 SEVERN COMPUTER APPLICATIONS LIMITED

21/06/2004 COMPLETE CREDIT MANAGEMENT LIMITED

25/01/1990 COM LIMITED

[cerberusalert]

They are on the FSA Register

 

Search conditions

FSA Firm Ref:

Firm name: THE LITIGATION SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED

Post code: B26 3PU

Match level: Best

Currently authorised:

[les3002]

Would i be best to send the letter to the company address above or to the PO Box address on the letter?