Mackenzie Hall. Do any of you know of them?

[soodonam]

Children....

 

I actually work for Mackenzie Hall. I have done for some time.

Now before anyone has an aneurysm, please just let me explain a few things...Im not on here to argue or to make enemies (which im sure is inevitable), im honestly interested .

in the information people are seeking here. I'd like to be the one person on this site that people can actually ask one on one, as opposed to other people posting opinions or misleading info.

with re. to Gaz's problem....my dear friend, statute barred (or the 6 year rule) does not mean the debt is written off - legally, debt stays with you till u go to your grave. this is a massive misconception on these sites, people are led to believe that after 6 years, ur untouchable. This is wrong, and if anyone would like to approach a legal solicitor re. this, by all means, please do so. What companies like mine do is, they BUY bad debt from clients (ie. JD Williams, Llyods..) and they then pursue it. Bad debt means debt that obviously has been unatainable by previous creditors. however, only 1/3rd of our debtors are stat barred. most are only a year or two into the mess. and in terms of legalities, and using illegal procedures to attain debt, if we ever did breach any of these legalities...we would no longer exist. trust me. the governing bodies and regulators are watching and listening every minute of the day. yet mackenzie hall are the fastest growing company in this field in the UK, attaining high profile clients such as Lloyd's Bank. any rumours of rule breaking or legal ramifications are absolutly ridiculous.

 

Gaz, it probably is identity theft.....either that or your estranged wife perhaps used your details for credit. either way, i would definetly pursue it, whther that be calling mackenzie hall or going to the police re. fraud....because it will stay with you until its resolved either way.

[Guest Benthic]

Presumably your business strategy is similar to those companies in the US, as described in

 

Handling Debt Collectors; Scavenger Debt Collectors

 

?

[Guest Benthic]

And of course you conduct yourselves in a manner persuant to the OFT Guidelines:

 

Statute barred debt

2.13 This guidance applies to the pursuit of debt regardless of its age. We will be carrying out further work on this aspect of debt recovery including analysis of relevant legislation and practice throughout the UK.

 

2.14 In the past we have dealt with a number of statute barred debt cases governed by the Limitation Act 1980, which applies to England and Wales. Based on that experience our position with regard to England and Wales remains:

 

a. we accept legally the debt exists

 

b. it is the methods by which the debt is collected that can be

unfair as follows:

 

• it is unfair to pursue the debt if the debtor has heard nothing from

the creditor during the relevant limitation period

 

• if a creditor has been in regular contact with a debtor before the debt

is statute barred, then we do not consider it unfair to continue to

attempt to recover the debt

 

• it is unfair to mislead debtors as to their rights and obligations, for

example, falsely stating or implying that the debt is still legally

recoverable and relying on consumers not knowing the relevant legal

provisions, and

 

• continuing to press for payment after a debtor has stated that they

will not be paying a debt because it is statute barred could amount to

harassment contrary to section 40 (1) of the Administration of

Justice Act 1970.

 

http://www.oft.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/50F06527-9FC5-4610-B385-999D6E2A8950/0/oft664.pdf

[Seminole]

Children....

 

I actually work for Mackenzie Hall. I have done for some time.

Now before anyone has an aneurysm, please just let me explain a few things...Im not on here to argue or to make enemies (which im sure is inevitable), im honestly interested .

in the information people are seeking here. I'd like to be the one person on this site that people can actually ask one on one, as opposed to other people posting opinions or misleading info.

with re. to Gaz's problem....my dear friend, statute barred (or the 6 year rule) does not mean the debt is written off - legally, debt stays with you till u go to your grave. this is a massive misconception on these sites, people are led to believe that after 6 years, ur untouchable. This is wrong, and if anyone would like to approach a legal solicitor re. this, by all means, please do so. What companies like mine do is, they BUY bad debt from clients (ie. JD Williams, Llyods..) and they then pursue it. Bad debt means debt that obviously has been unatainable by previous creditors. however, only 1/3rd of our debtors are stat barred. most are only a year or two into the mess. and in terms of legalities, and using illegal procedures to attain debt, if we ever did breach any of these legalities...we would no longer exist. trust me. the governing bodies and regulators are watching and listening every minute of the day. yet mackenzie hall are the fastest growing company in this field in the UK, attaining high profile clients such as Lloyd's Bank. any rumours of rule breaking or legal ramifications are absolutly ridiculous.

 

Gaz, it probably is identity theft.....either that or your estranged wife perhaps used your details for credit. either way, i would definetly pursue it, whther that be calling mackenzie hall or going to the police re. fraud....because it will stay with you until its resolved either way.

 

Well, if you are not here to cause an argument, then starting of your post "children..." is not a good way to start.

 

Statute barred debt is statute barred debt. It is unenforecable through the courts and I am surprised that you admit to buying it. The fact that you do so makes me suspicious of your claims as to who you work for. I will be watching your posts carefully.

[Guest Benthic]

Oooh, more info - including "Controlled Creativity", "Fuzzy Techniques", "Atomate Donkey Work" and more....

 

AFD Postcode News

 

Amazing stuff.

[soodonam]

dear seminole

 

your right in what your sayin with re. to stat barred. after 6 yrs, if thecompanies have not attempted to contact you with re. to outstanding debt, then it cannot go to court. however.....

 

pls bear in mind, if a company does not contact someone re. debt owed, ten 9 times out of 10 its because the debtor is unreachable (ie. moved away, not told companies of new address, or simply avioded payments and ignored letters), which is the reason companies like mine depend heavily on tracing systems. do you honestly think for 1 second that the original creditors are willing to just 'forget' debt owed to them, and brush itunder the carpet?

 

secondly, by english law(different from scottish law) bailiffs WILL still come round to peoples doors to attain assetts to clear debt. as you rightfully said, after 6 years, debtors cannot have a CCJ against them, but please bear in mind that under english law, big skinhead tattooed men CAN and DO still come chapping.

 

also, lets take Gaz's case for example. say he is totally innocent in this, for arguments sake. lets say that his wife ordered things from catalogues, the internet or such under his details. we pass cases like this to a fraud team, who thoroughly investigate - and cases like that are more common that you would believe - however, in MOST cases (and i mean the vast majority), these people have attained credit, whether it be cash, or goods, and dont pay. some people are 'professional debtors', racking up thousands upon thousands of pounds from creditors, and then dissapearing for a while. in cases like these, wouldnt you agree that they should get chased? i mean, is that fair?

 

like i said, if there are genuine cases (which i know from experience there are LOTS) where its mistaken identity, identity theft, or initial foul play by the original creditors, then my company DO help people out. i have had numerous letter of sincere thanks from people who have had identity theft cleared up (removing bad credit scores from their name), and even from people who have admitted not paying, and we have helped make a payment plan that suits them, allowing them to sleep at night again.

 

as for your suprise that i said we buy debt.....as far as im concerned, thats pretty much common knowledge for people who forum on a site like this...in fact, if u scroll up, youl see someone posting the same thing on the first few pages - thats how debt recovery agencies work. thats the way the industry works. you say this as if its illegal or immoral?

 

as for you suspicion of my claim that i work there.....well, not much really i can say to that. believe me if u want to...if u dont, then dont. either way it makes no difference to me. i have no reason to lie. your suspicion only solidifies my impression of the paraniod, conspiracy theorist attitude of a select number of posters on this site.

[Seminole]

The point I was making was that I was surprised that you admit to buying statute barred debt. I know of one of MH's competitors who has gone to quite extraordinary lengths to silence anyone who suggests that they do something similar.

 

As you say, statute barred debt is unenforceable through the courts. It doesn't stop the owner of a debt seeking recovery although I am surprised to see you describing people who might knock on someones door as "bailiffs". They certainly wouldn't be calling in that capacity.

 

I would also hope that you would condemn any company that breached the OFT guidelines specifically in relation to statute barred debt.

 

I continue to be sceptical of your assertion that you work for MH but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

[soodonam]

i do condemn companies who breach it....however, we dont. thats my point, Paul. we dont threaten people with statute barred debt with a CCJ...we advise of further legal action....which is what does happen. so we dont breach any OFT guidlines at all. and if we did, im sure we would have made our last cal by now.

 

however, i am aware there are creditors and the like who breach guidlines such as harrasment, but we are monitored by ruling bodies, and are 110% aware of the laws and boundaries. I have complete empathy for people who are injustly chased and contacted, and belive me wen i say, i spend 3/4 of my day removing wrong numbers, changing addresses, and deleting wrong debtor details...we dont 'hound' the wrong people...its a process of elimination. professional debtors give other peoples addresses, phone numbers, sometimes even names, to the original creditors...that info is passed to us, and that is all we have to contact these people.

we call and ask....if its the wrong person, we delete their number or adress...then trace again...everything we do is above board.

 

 

oh, and for the record, i'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you do indeed work in an accountancy office in bromley, like you claimed

[mcuth]

Yes, a statute-barred debt isn't actually written off, but it's unenforceable and the OFT has guidelines on that as above. So, your company buys statute-barred debt, and tries to collect on it, whilst in the full knowledge that it's unenforceable - presuming you're working on the basis of giving it a try, just in case the consumer isn't aware of their rights?

 

i do condemn companies who breach it....however, we dont. thats my point, Paul. we dont threaten people with statute barred debt with a CCJ...we advise of further legal action....which is what does happen. so we dont breach any OFT guidlines at all. and if we did, im sure we would have made our last cal by now.

 

Two questions relating to your quote above then:

i) If you don't breach OFT guidelines, then once a debtor has informed you that the debt is statute-barrred (assuming they are aware of their rights), then you stop all forms of collecting, right?

ii) If you don't threaten with a CCJ, what is this "further legal action" that you threaten, or indeed take, if you're chasing a statute-barred debt?

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[gerarddobbin]

To Soodonam

There is one thing that i have noticed that you have not answered on your long winded rant and that is,

people request from your company, "MacKenzie Hall" information in writing of proof of who it is that a person owes the debt that your company is chasing. People on this site continuously are saying that "MacKenzie Hall" ignore this request. My question to you if you get to read this is why does your company ignore such an important request.

1. Who it is says they owe money to?

2. Why your company refuses to send this info

3. Your company does not operate in black and white. You have so much grey area's that in my opinion is a company with two heads or more.

[sea-sidelady]

Mackenzie hall have no idea what they are doing..!

They sent me 2 letters a few weeks ago for 1 bill, 2 accounts. How on earth they figures that one is anyones guess. Seperate amounts of money????

Hellooooo, i had 1 account hence i should have 1 amount of money to pay.

 

Anyway they sent me 2 letters saying this is a 1 off letter, only pay xxxxx this is a 1 time offer, if not we will basically come and get you.

 

I got another 2 letters today, with more offers, this is a 1 time offer blah blah blah.

 

They are so desperate its pathetic.

[gerarddobbin]

To Sea-sidelady

 

If I Were You I Would Ignore Them Unless They Send You Proof Of Who They Are Acting For And For What. Get From Them Proof Of Everything Otherwise Ignore Them.

[sea-sidelady]

But to get proof i would have to contact them,

[Seminole]

But to get proof i would have to contact them,

 

Yes but use the CCA template and you should be fine. If I remember correctly it states something along the lines of "I do not acknowledge any debt to your company". If it doesn't use this as the opening line of the letter.

[soodonam]

Dear gerarddobber

 

 

1. Mackenzie Hall

2. Here's some information for you. Out of a possible 40 sub clients of ours, there are around 3 of them who dont provide us with that information. The delete records once they pass the account on. The remaining ones actually do send copy bills and agreements. I remeber around 3 that i sent out personally today, as a matter of fact.

 

"People on this site continuously are saying that "MacKenzie Hall" ignore this request. My question to you if you get to read this is why does your company ignore such an important request."

 

If you simply apply a bit of common sense, it would become clear to you that the people who DO receive copy Bills, copy statements and copy agreements (like the ones i sent today), have no option but to pay...therefore they wouldnt be on this site. The people posting on this site are the minority who's creditors are the 3 companies i referred to earlier, who didnt receive anything, and subsequently believe mackenzie hall are somehow fraudsters. Think about it.

 

3. "in my opinion is a company with two heads or more."

 

 

This is, indeed, your opinion. And your entitled to it. Opinions are like ...everybody has one.

 

Not much more i can say to that last one, really. Umm, congratulations on having the mental fortitude to be able to form and construct your own hypothesis based on **** knows what.

[sea-sidelady]

his is, indeed, your opinion. And your entitled to it. Opinions are like ...everybody has one.

 

Not much more i can say to that last one, really. Umm, congratulations on having the mental fortitude to be able to form and construct your own hypothesis based on **** knows what.

 

 

 

 

In that sentence alone you have proved what type of people work for Mackenzie........!

You have proved everyone right.

[Carl40]

You really are a patronising little edit aren't you?

[soodonam]

This is turning into a Royal Rumble.....every 3 minutes, a new challenger enters. Nice post there, Wordsworth. Listen man, if anyone wants ta jump in with their little sarky [edit], then i'll respond back twice as sarky. My converastion with seminole was a decent one. [edit]. jump on that bandwagon, Carl..

[MARTIN3030]

Ok guys there is no room oh the site for personal digs and this is starting to go that way.

If you have something positive to say then fine...nothing wrong with healthy debate but getting personal gets nowhere fast

This thread is being monitored,I suggest if you want to keep it open that you start behaving like informed grown ups instead of bickering school kids.

[Carl40]

Your company is responsible for causing people misery and stress. Did you seriously believe you were going to be welcomed with open arms?

[MARTIN3030]

Soodanam there is no need to keep posting the same one.....we can see the original Its been moderated.

I have deleted it twice and I am trying to calm things and you are inflaming them.

Dont post this again.

[dollypops]

Soodonam

So mac halls one of the fastest growing companies in its field is it ?

 

You also claim to work for mac hall, which makes you around the 20 - 25 age, as when i was there (not in work capacity) it was only kids that age group that worked there (NO Experience Required, just a weeks on the job training given) and a couple of daft wee girls at reception (around 30 people at most).

 

If mac halls doing so well then why are they based in a crumbling 70s built monstrosity of a building above a clydesdale bank, in what is the worst area of the town centre? (They are based at the top of a street known locally as charity alley for its rundown appearance and abundance of charity shops, the council are planning to flatten the whole site.)

 

And you claim you operate wholly within the law, then why was i informed that you quote "specilize in debts that are between five and ten years old, which no-one else has been able to collect" And as for your clients being companys such as Lloyds TSB i was informed by said interviewer that you are "passed" debts from other agencies for and i quote "next to nothing" not direct from the companies concerned, this was told to me by some gruff woman who i think was the floor manager, but you will know who i mean. She also seemed particularly proud of the profit you made if someone was daft enough to pay you. A trait i found unpleasent during the interview.

I was also informed by this woman that "if someone refuses to pay or does not acknowledge said debt to one of your reps it gets immediately passed to another more intimidating rep to take over".

I was also told that you are told to tell "debtors to ask relatives etc to pay the debt for them if they were unable to do so", And you are encouraged to "be as tough as you can to make people pay", to obtain your perks and bonuses eg trips away etc

The more money each rep pulls in for mac hall each week, means more money in your pay packet.

 

Amazing what you can remember from a job interview. Which i left with a sour taste in my mouth knowing i could never work for such a company.

 

I also fail to understand why you are defending this company anyway,the pay is not that great and neither were the working conditions, the office i thought was grubby and unkempt, with everyone crammed into a rather small openplan space,unless you ARE that gruff woman who conducted my job interview ?

I don't really give a damn if you figure out who i am, cause if you guys try ANYTHING with me i will hit you with the full force of the law!

[sea-sidelady]

Well said dollypops

[Carl40]

Top post Dollypops...I tip my hat to you...although the way I see it, it is pointless arguing the toss with that whopper.

[kronk]

Hi Guys

 

I used to work for a couple of DCA'S in Glasgow, I know of Paul Mackenzie of MH He broke many rules with one particular company when collecting mortgage debt,he even went to the extent of contacting clients behind the back of the firm that he was working for to try and under cut them, but the clients reported his action to the directors (I use the term in its loosest term possible)of the company that he worked for and the little twerp was sacked on the spot. The use of message/telegrams is strictly verbotten by the FSA, and as far as I'm aware once debt is purchased you lose any rights to civil enforcement via the courts to collect the debt. One last point, it is widely assumed in lending that bad payers refer bad payers and good payers refer yep you guessed it good payers, with this in mind is it any surprise that Paul Mackenzie & troop operate in what is a very grey area.