CCScollect acting for Robinson Way

[DEVONIOW]

I received a letter from CCScollect on behalf of Robinson Way saying that I needed to contact them "to discuss a very important matter".

 

I phoned the number they provided, using 141 in front of their phone number so that my phone number did not show up on their system.

 

The man on the end of the phone asked what it was regarding and I gave the reference no. on the letter I had received. He asked me for the address on the letter and I read out to him the details that were on the letter. He then asked me for my date of birth! I said I was not prepared to give him my date of birth details unless he was prepared to tell me what all this was all about. He declined to give me any further information. I told him I felt it was strange that they were acting on behalf of an other debt collection company. He stated "that this was quite normal practice". As we weren't getting any where with this conversation. He said "he would send me an official letter which would have further information and details in it". I would have to wait until I received this letter.

 

I received the "official" letter from CCS collect stating the amount that I owed to Robinson Way. I telephoned CCS collect to ask them about the alleged debt, but they would not give me any further information as it "breached comsumer rights" and he "would lose his job if he told me". He was happy to ask me detailed questions though!

 

Surely in the absence of any firm evidence these letters amount to harassment? Surely they are required by law to give me full information regarding this debt?

 

How should I deal with this? I would like to write to them to tell them that they are obliged to give me full details but is that the case?

[cerberusalert]

It's a game of pass the parcel DCAs like to play with each other. They have sad lives & don't have the intelligence to amuse themselves in any other way...except for self abuse.

 

Send the muppets this;

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.

[DEVONIOW]

Thanks, will try this and let you know the outcome.

[DEVONIOW]

Well, we heard back from CCS today.

 

What a shower.

 

The letter began by addressing me, followed by a heading with the alleged debt details, then addressed somebody else altogether!

 

Anyway, in response to the letter you recommended stating that I had no knowledge of a debt and requesting more details, they have now replied with a standard letter that I have stated that I "do not acknowledge the above debt" and they are "unable to provide a copy of the signed Credit Agreement...as we do not hold a copy of your signature for verification".

 

They have now closed their file and returned the account back to their client "so they can investigate further", saying all future correspondence should be sent directly to Cabot Financial (Europe).

 

And for their next trick, they sent me an identical letter, but with a different reference number and different amount! I have never received any correspondence relating to this reference number and presume it is some cut and paste cock-up on their part.

 

I'm tempted to ring them and tell them what a bunch of pillocks they are, but I don't see why I should bother.

 

Given that they have "closed their file" should I leave this now until Cabot get in contact?

[cerberusalert]

Yes just wait and see who turns up next with their box of tricks.

[DEVONIOW]

Well long time no hear, but like a bad penny we have now had a letter from Robinson Way, not Cabot as promised:

 

Formal Demand for Payment

Our Client has authorised us to recover the full amount you owe, shown above. This is a formal notice of intended court action. We may take action unless YOU PAY THE FULL AMOUNT YOU OWE WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS LETTER.

 

If court action is taken and a court considers your failure to pay to be due to your refusal or neglect to pay, an order for repayment ,ay be made. If you fail to pay in accordance with a court payment order the follwing may occur:

 

a process of enforcement by court officers

an order for deductions from your earnings

an unpaid court order may make credit difficult to obtain

 

This problem will not go away or be forgotten - it makes sense to pay now.

 

Call now to pay using your debit card...... blah blah blah.

 

 

 

Still they expect us to pay up not knowing for what or to whom this alleged "debt" is owed, despite requesting this information from the previous bunch of clowns, CCS.

 

Should I resend a letter demanding to know what this debt is all about?

[cerberusalert]

Should I resend a letter demanding to know what this debt is all about?

It wouldn't do any harm.

[DEVONIOW]

Well, after a long gap, Robinson Way have sent us a copy agreement in respect of the account. However - the agreement they have enclosed is for somebody totally different - the account number on the agreement is slightly different to the account number they are quoting to us. Maybe they thought that was close enough - even though the amount was ten times that which they are claiming we owe!

 

More seriously, by sending us somebody else's agreement have they committed an offence?

[cerberusalert]

Yes, a complaint to the ICO is in order; https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

[DEVONIOW]

Well, eventually, Robinson Way have realised that they have been pestering us for somebody else's debt - and have actually apologised and said that hey will not contact us again. I am pleased to say that I did contact the Information Commissioner's office, and they are on the case - no doubt one of many against them.

 

So thank you Consumer Forum and, in particular Cerebusalert for guiding us through this issue.

[cerberusalert]

Your welcome.

[cerberusalert]

Incidently, did you check your credit file to make sure they did not enter any adverse information on it? If they did you can sue them for libel.

[lickthewallfatboy]

you mean that there's someone lower down the food chain than Robinson Way?