Mackenzie Hall. Do any of you know of them?

[enoughisenough]

Subbing

 

I work for a highly successful and ethical boss. He is also when roused litigious With extreme prejudice. He has been asking around if anyone has any business with mh as it seems they've left one of the automated call back messages at work. The phone lines are critical to us so he is seething and is on the warpath. Oops mh, be afraid be very afraid.

 

Also just found this.

 

Mackenzie Hall :: Connect

 

I suspect mr simmons will be wanting to change his mobile number if he hasn't already

[enoughisenough]

PS I do not advocate harrassment by telephone.

[Dangermouse]

Another trick these guys play is to send you a letter for a debt that is very obviously not yours (it is not a mistake). People who are in financial trouble tend to give more information away i.e confirm details that they would not normally give regarding a debt they do recognise!

 

Once they have ot all the info out of you they can, they then say that the letter was incorrect and then tell you that the matter relates to a an amount you probably will recognise.

 

my advice is to ignore all letters of this sort.

 

Dangermouse

[essiec]

Brilliant website!

 

Found this by accident today as I have just received a letter out of the blue from Meritforce who "have been instructed by Mackenzie Hall to collect a debt on their behalf".

 

It is originally from Singlepoint who I had a disputed bill with over 6 years ago. They said there was a debt ran up by my ex who had the phone but used my name to get it in the first place. I told Singlepoint all this years ago ( we split up in 2001) and we've never had any correspondence since.

However we now live opposite where we were originally and the new owners (who we get on well with) brought the letter over today and I don't want them getting visits by this new collection agency.

 

It says in bold letters -"An authorised collector will make a visit to your property in the next 10 days).

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[InformedSearcher]

Brilliant website!

 

Found this by accident today as I have just received a letter out of the blue from Meritforce who "have been instructed by Mackenzie Hall to collect a debt on their behalf".

 

It is originally from Singlepoint who I had a disputed bill with over 6 years ago. They said there was a debt ran up by my ex who had the phone but used my name to get it in the first place. I told Singlepoint all this years ago ( we split up in 2001) and we've never had any correspondence since.

However we now live opposite where we were originally and the new owners (who we get on well with) brought the letter over today and I don't want them getting visits by this new collection agency.

 

It says in bold letters -"An authorised collector will make a visit to your property in the next 10 days).

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Well if it's over 6 years old and you've had no dealings with anyone on this then it's statute barred. Meaning it's vanished and no one has the right (as in a DCA) to start putting any pressure on you. If you have a look round the site you'll see and get all the information you require. Whatever you do for now I'd suggest is 'do nothing'! I'd doubt a collector will call and if they do then refuse entry or discussion on the subjectperiod.

Another thing I'd suggest is check the CRA's for your credit files. Can be pricey online otherwise a couple of quid send to each of the three will show you what's listed about you. If you see a search for the DCA saying something like 'outstanding debt' regarding this item then dispute it the the CRA. These people trying to extract monies long forgotten can be sneaky in their actions.

As mentioned before have a look round this amazing site and you'll be more than happy on what to do. If in doubt just ask.

Michael

[sillygirl1]

I'm still waiting for Mackenzie Hall to turn up at work after somebody who has never worked for us and certainly doesn't live in our office - as they keep claiming! I can't wait to see their face when they realise that the address they have is a dud.

 

Really you have nothing to worry about, the alleged debt is well and truly statute barred by now and they have NO grounds to send a collector around - the collector has no legal status and no legal rights to demand money from you and should be reported as a trespasser.

[essiec]

Cheers for the quick replies.

 

I'm more concerned that someone will turn up at my old house as that address is the one they have and give the new elderly owners a hard time.

 

They will also probably give someone my new address which I would prefer to keep secret from any snoopers!

 

So - the advice is to sit it out rather than contact the sender of the letter?

[F_DCAs]

Yep, statute barred, and even if it weren't, the chances of Meritforce providing any kind of proof of debt on a Singlepoint debt are nil.

 

Singlepoint debts would have been passed through First Credit, then MacKenzie Hall before MF got their hands on it.

[diddydicky]

Brilliant website!

 

Found this by accident today as I have just received a letter out of the blue from Meritforce who "have been instructed by Mackenzie Hall to collect a debt on their behalf".

 

It is originally from Singlepoint who I had a disputed bill with over 6 years ago. They said there was a debt ran up by my ex who had the phone but used my name to get it in the first place. I told Singlepoint all this years ago ( we split up in 2001) and we've never had any correspondence since.

However we now live opposite where we were originally and the new owners (who we get on well with) brought the letter over today and I don't want them getting visits by this new collection agency.

 

It says in bold letters -"An authorised collector will make a visit to your property in the next 10 days).

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

i would reply along the lines of:_

 

your "authorised collector" is not authorised by me welcomed by me or invited by me and therefore will be immediately asked to leave the property and if he fails to do so at the first request will be ejected from the property using whatever force is reasonable.

[Blue Boo]

Hi Gaz, Just a quick heads up for you....I had demand letters from Makenzie Hall, I wrote back stating statute barred and they passed it on to Meritforce Doorstep collection Agents, I wrote the same statute barred to them also and guess what. The signatures on recorded delivery were identical. By the way they were both acting on behalf of Lowell Finance/Portfoio1.

I'm still tackleing my problems Lowell, with the help of SAM 614, she and this site are absolutely fantastic and if anyone can help your in the right place.

Good luck for future butt kicking!

Blue Boo.

[NailPost]

Time to take action against these twits. Write and ask both companies for their complaints procedures too. Make a complaint and allow them the eight weeks to resolve those reports. Then when they fail to respond or resolve the issue report them to all the relevant authorities

[whibbs]

Long story short.

 

I borrrowed £8k from black horse - stopped paying them over a year ago and tried to arrange payments I could manage. Agreed that they would put on hold and accepta a payment - send paperwork. Never arrived, over time I offered £6k this dwindled then £4k this dwindled and still no paperwork to agree.

Mackenzie Hall got involved and pestered me - blavk horse said I now owe over £10k and to deal with Mackenzie hall.

Offered a £1k down payment and £100 pound a month and would settle balance when I sold house in circa a year.

They treated me like a piece of dirst and demanded over £2.5K now. My family cant help me and I have no cash other than £1k to give, even the £100 a month will only last for 10 months. I do not know what to do.

I also think Black horse missold a PCI and have washed their hands of that one too.

HELP !

[Dougal16T]

Good afternoon,

 

I think I would write to Black Horse and ask why they did not respond. Secondly I would want to know why they sent the account to Mac Hall. Did you receive notice of assignment? Finally I would write to Mac Hall, and the letter should be:

 

ACCOUNT IN DISPUTE

 

Date:

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

Account number: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

 

I am in receipt of your letter dated XXXXX

 

This account is in dispute with **original creditor/DCA** and has been since DATE .

Not only is this a breach of the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in line with the Office Of Fair Trading's debt collection guidelines, but also in breach of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and Data Protection Act 1998

 

My previous dispute from **DATE** has NOT been answered.

 

As **original creditor/name of debt collection agency** are now in default of my Consumer Credit Act agreementrequest and have also breached *s10 Data Protection Act request , I consider this account to be in SERIOUS DISPUTE.

 

As you are aware while my Consumer Credit Act request remains in default enforcement action is NOT permitted, under s127 this constitutes a complete defence at law.

 

Consequentially any legal action you pursue will be averred as both UNLAWFUL and VEXATIOUS.

 

Now I would respectfully suggest that this account is returned to the **original creditor/DCA** for resolution of these defaults and breaches, as **New DCA** cannot lawfully pursue any enforcement activities.

 

If **New DCA** chooses to ignore my dispute and attempt enforcement, I will initiate legal action and file reports with the appropriate authorities, including, but not limited to, Trading Standards, Office of Fair Trading, Information Commissioners Office, Financial Ombudsman Service and possible court action.

 

After taking advice, I am of the opinion that any continued pursuit is in violation of the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in line with the Office Of Fair Tradings Collection Guidelines

 

I hope that this will not be necessary and an acceptable solution can be accomplished.

 

I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you in writing.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Hope this helps - BEWARE OF MAC HALL THEY ARE VERY DEVIOUS - But they are also a toothless tiger!!

 

Kind regards

 

Dougal

[InformedSearcher]

.... Oh I'd also add to that great advice and suggest you get copies of CRA files too. If you do it on line (which is more expensive) you'll be able to enter the 'notices of dispute' which last 28 days and they'll add to your file. Otherwise £2 to each of the 3 CRA's (by snailmail) to get the files will do it too.

Michael

[whibbs]

Thanks for advice. Before I proceed a quick update......

As Mckenzie hall not listening I phoned Black Horse.

They said as file is with MH and my proposal sounds fair and reasonable.

Send my £1k cheque as down payment and agree £100 pound a month and settle balance when I sell house in circa a year. If they cash cheque they have entered into my arrangement.

(1) Is that ok or am i doing wrong if I do that?

(2) How would I then pursue missold PCI?

[Seminole]

NO, absolutely don't do that without getting the arrangement agreed in writing. MH will cash the cheque and will claim to know nothing about the arrangement,

[Stephan56]

Fully agree that everything must be in writing. What is relationship between Blackhorse and MH? Principal and agent? Other?

 

You can bet you agree something with one of them, and the other won't adhere to it - or recognize it. And I bet the first one won;t honour it in writing.

 

If I were to do this I would (i) get it in writing (ii) get written confirmation as to who is dealing with this (ii) get them to sign that they will indemnify you if any toher party attempts to collect etc

[InformedSearcher]

I'd agree 100% of the good advice. When in duspute ALWAYS have things in writing and if you don't agree DO NOT CALL THEM but reply in writing ensuring from now on you get a 'signed for' thing from the Post Office (75p extra I think). If you are going to speak on the phone record everything too!

You need also to know how they are going to handle what will be a default on your CRA files - I'd get the files first. Without the default notices being removed it does not give that much incentive for you to pay. Otherwise it's 6 years of the equivelent of a CCJ!

Michael

[essiec]

Had another letter to my old address today and recognised the sender as it had the same Kilmarnock return address on the outside so I sent it RTS marked as "moved to Spain 6 years ago", which is in fact correct!

 

Hopefully they'll check electoral role etc and see there is no trace of me in the UK for the last 6 years and drop this paper chasing.....

[InformedSearcher]

Had another letter to my old address today and recognised the sender as it had the same Kilmarnock return address on the outside so I sent it RTS marked as "moved to Spain 6 years ago", which is in fact correct!

 

Hopefully they'll check electoral role etc and see there is no trace of me in the UK for the last 6 years and drop this paper chasing.....

 

LOL did you add, 'for a 2 week holiday?' - sorry off topic but could not resist!!

I'd doubt they'll check the electrol role BUT check out your CRA files as these a***oles have cunning knack of doing a search and including the words 'Outstandng Debt'. Any potential creditor would see that entry so if any do exist copy and paste with your complaint to the OFT! They thought they found a little loophole in the 6 year statute barred rule.

Most of these places are grasping at straws after so long.

Michael

[NailPost]

If these cretins have added any little comments to a credit search write to the credit agency and tell them it must be removed. They won't, they'll tell you only their "client" can do that. Armed with this response report both firms to the Information Commissioner and claim the comments are defamatory in that neither side can prove the matter to be accurate. The IC has the power to order the comments to be removed.

[InformedSearcher]

If these cretins have added any little comments to a credit search write to the credit agency and tell them it must be removed. They won't, they'll tell you only their "client" can do that. Armed with this response report both firms to the Information Commissioner and claim the comments are defamatory in that neither side can prove the matter to be accurate. The IC has the power to order the comments to be removed.

 

 

Oops, sorry I meant to say the 'ICO' rather than 'OFT'. Mind you, this having happened to me I can assure everyone it does not happen overnight (sadly!).

Michael

[essiec]

Joined up and got my Experian credit report from the CRA link you posted.

 

The Singlepoint reference is showing as settled with no outstanding debts as of Feb 2004 at my old address so are they just clutching at straws or what?

 

Also I have no need to continue my membership with Experian after the 30 days free trial so how do I cancel it as their site isn't very clear for me to do that!

[InformedSearcher]

Joined up and got my Experian credit report from the CRA link you posted.

 

The Singlepoint reference is showing as settled with no outstanding debts as of Feb 2004 at my old address so are they just clutching at straws or what?

 

Also I have no need to continue my membership with Experian after the 30 days free trial so how do I cancel it as their site isn't very clear for me to do that!

 

Was to deliquent balance 'zero' too?

I cannot see how to cancel myself but if problems contact them and tell them you want to cancel.

Contact us - Experian UK and Ireland

Wise to cancel before 28 days.

 

Michael

[Conniff]

You give them a ring and they do it over the phone so they can check security.