Advice Needed

[biglad75]

Was wondering if anyone here might be able to help. Just today got given a letter containing a legal notification from a friend whose flat I linved in nearly 4 years ago from Charles Howard & Partners stating that they've been instructed to prepare to begin legal proceedings for reclaim £410 by CCSCOLLECT. It says I should repay all the money by 9th March or further action will ensue. Has anyone had any dealings with either of these companies and is it advisable to just ignore the letter. I used to have a pretty bad credit rating but have worked quite hard to get it back to a decent level.

 

edit to add - says at the bottom of the letter that don't send post as they time limits are very strict. It also says the money is due to merit YB, who seem to have passed it onto CCS then onto Charles Howard. It's possible it's from an old overdraft from years ago or else a dodgy XXX phone company who were rang twice for about two minutes each straight after each other when I lost my phone at a party years ago. They rang a week or two later demanding money, I gave them a fake name and received a few threathening letters to the fake name and that was the end of it except I kept teh same phone number all those years. Is it possible they could have matched the phone number to the name

Edited March 4, 2009 by biglad75

[cerberusalert]

Send them the 'prove it' letter. No doubt you are unaware of this debt so it is up to them that it exists and is enforceable;

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Account no:

 

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.

 

I/we look forward to your reply.

 

**Edit to suit**

 

Remember, don’t sign the letter.

[biglad75]

should have said at the bottom of the letter it says do not simply write in as our time limits are very strict. Also, should add that the job I have I have strated a few mmonths ago I went through a very strict credit check which I passed and don't want to **** my credit rating up again.

[biglad75]

Moved

Edited March 4, 2009 by biglad75
more info