Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • Hi all, Love this site and it's no nonsense advice, have dipped in and out of the consumer forums over the years, mostly to assure myself that what I was doing was the right thing when dealing with various businesses (almost 100% success rate, thanks in part to reading and more reading here.). Anyway, the time is almost approaching where I might need to ask for some specific help and I have a couple of queries that I can't see definitively answered. Due to financial mismanagement and severe anxiety issues I stopped paying all unsecured debt in December 2018 (one slipped to the first week in Jan 2019 when the last payment was made having rechecked my bank statement from that period - all my unsecured debt direct debits were cancelled in early Jan 2019). This has left half a dozen debts;  a couple of credit cards, a bank loan, Shop Direct and some Hitachi Finance stuff having been sold on and passing the rounds through the usual suspects, Lowells, Link, PRA Group, others related to them, and then back to them again. I have somehow successfully managed to maintain radio silence and avoided anything more worrying than their begging letters.  I have blocked their phone calls and texts, bumped all emails to the spambox and had a chuckle at their desperate letters.  I've never had anybody at the door.  I have been at the same address since before I defaulted and all correspondence comes to my current home address.  I have NEVER contacted them or admitted any debt. In anticipation of them perhaps ramping up action at the last minute I've had a look at my credit report on Credit Karma (rec'd from this very place) and I see that the default dates on these range from May 2019 to November 2019. Also in preperation I've been reading, reading and reading lots here as advised. Obviously being in Scotland there are a lot fewer posts relating to these matters and it's always quite annoying when OP's do not follow up with any outcome on their cases - how rude! This has also left me a bit confused of when I am able to finally breathe easy (although cancelling all the direct debits in Jan 2019 was the biggest sigh of relief as I knew it was all going to be unmanageable and, well, default one, default all.). I've been reading that defaults should be filed 3-6 months after the missed payment but one of my larger debts was defaulted on 27th August 2019 when the last payment I made was 10th December 2018, meaning the first missed payment was 10th Jan 2019.   My query for now is - when should I infer that these debts are prescribed?  From when the payment was missed, or taking the default date plus 5 years from the credit report? The three I have with the May date are moot anyway as either way they are gone  - some letters from Lowell offering me 90% off to settle is what got me thinking these must have been near SB status, however I have one big 10k+ with a July date and another 10k+ at the end of August I am feeling a bit anxious again, even though I know there is nothing to worry about with the begging letters.  Reading the various forums I am not sure why the OC's didn't take action against me when I read time and again the surprise that other posters haven't already been taken to court for lesser amounts - I'm also surprised I've avoided any action this long as there are plenty in this forum and sub forum who are whisked off to the court by the beggers minions after only a year or so after defaulting.  There are no CCJ/decrees listed on my credit report and I have not received any such judgements against me.  I still just regularly receive the begging emails to the spambox, the blocked phone calls and the letters from the they. I'm also reading that there is no need in Scotland to send an LBC so what should I be looking out for to know that the time has come to engage with CCA requests etc? I'm afraid in a fit I threw a lot of the paperwork out but I have a box of stuff I'm going to go through which may have the original letters from the OC's. Thanks in advance for any advice.  
    • I'm at work now but promise to look in later. Can you confirm how you paid the first invoice?  It wasn't your fault if the signal was so poor and there was no alternative way to pay.  There must be a chance of reversing the charge with your bank.  There are no guarantees but Kev  https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09766749/officers  has never had the backbone to do court so far.  Not even in one case,  
    • OK  so you may not have outed yourself if you said "we". No matter either way you paid. Snotty letter I am surprised that they were so quick off the mark threatening Court. They usually take months to go that far. No doubt that as you paid the first one they decided to strike quickly and scare you into paying. Dear Chuckleheads  aka Alliance,  I am replying to your LOCs You may have caught me the first time but that is  the end. What a nasty organisation you are. You do realise that you now have now no reason to continue to pursue me after reading my appeal since you know that my car was not cloned. Any further pursuit will end up with a complaint to the ICO that you are breaching my GDPR.  Please confirm that you have removed my details from your records. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I haven't gone for a snotty letter this time as they know that you paid for your car in another car park. So using a shot across their bows .  If it doesn't deter them and they send in the debt collectors or the Court you will then be able to get more money back from them for  breachi.ng your data protection than they will get should they win in Court-and they have no chance of that as you have paid. So go in with guns blazing and they might see sense.  Although never underestimate how stupid they are. Or greedy.
    • Thank you. Such a good point. They did issue all 3 before I paid though. I only paid one because I didn’t have proof of parking that time, only for two others.    Unfortunately no proof of my appeal as it was just submitted through a form on their website and no copy was sent to me. I only have the reply. I believe I just put something like “we made the honest mistake of using the incorrect parking area on the app” and that’s it. Thanks again for your help. 
    • They are absolute chuckleheads. You paid but because you entered a different car park site also belonging to them they are pursuing you despite them knowing what you had done. It would be very obvious to everyone, including Alliance that your car could not have been in two places at the same time. Thank you for posting the PCN so quickly making it a pity that you appealed since there are so many things wrong with it that you as keeper are not liable to pay the charge. They rarely accept appeals since that would mean they lose money but they have virtually no chance of beating you in Court. Very unlikely that they will take you to Court given the circumstances. Just in case you didn't out yourself as the driver could you please post up your appeal.
  • Recommended Topics

  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like
  • Recommended Topics

ACS:Law copyright file sharing claims, Gallant Macmillan - and probably some others along the way...


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 4962 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 4.6k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

i posted here originally in april as i was sent a letter for a porn film asking ( demanding) over a grand......i sent my letter of denial...and havent heard anything since.

 

Now this morning i get the same template letter from them but for a certain pop song stating it was downloaded at an earlier date than my 1st alledged infringement...anyone else had 2 unrelated claims??

Link to post
Share on other sites

To help address the issue,Ministry Of Sound instructed a software company ( no idea who it is as it is not stated ) to identify occassions when it's music is made available for download on peer to peer ('P2P') networks without its concent.

 

The letter then states the IP Address Date & Time Name of P2P network.

 

It looks like its a cut down version of ACS letter. It also has the Settlement Agreement ( A Legal Contract ) asking you to sign it saying you will not download any songs from the ministry of sound and pay the sum of £ ( amount asked). You will be able to keep the alleged downloaded album for private use.

 

I am guessing a cloned or clonish ACS approach. However it is interesting to note that they do not tell you who the software company are who are monitoring for their works

Link to post
Share on other sites

what do you guys recommend ref the gallant macmillian situation, saying its a few of us with the exact same letters lol, i actually have a wifi router could have been anyone downloaded it right? :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

We too have recieved this letter today but were quite relieved after reading this site:

 

Being Threatened?

 

I would advise all affected to use this site and respond to these scaremonger a$$holes appropriately

 

One of my colleagues has suggested sending £400 in monoply money and tell them to keep the change!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just got one today with same info as everyone else, Oct 2009, same song. I yelled at kids blaming them all and now it sems it is a fake; how can they get away with this?

 

I would be grateful if someone could help me with wording for LOD.

 

Many thanks.

Link to post
Share on other sites

i have the same letter from gallant & macmillan. i have spoken to the company who are real solicitors they have a web site.

i was told that MOS instructed a soft ware company to track illeagal usage of there files on the internet, g& M have taken out a court order against the ip providers in my case sky and have obtained the addresses of the holders. she assured me that they are real solicitors and that the letter is genuine, they will be taking a case up and that the only way to be cleared is to either pay the 375 or take legal advice to prove you havent down loaded the file in question. my letter quotes the annual 2010 and gave a date in december.

Link to post
Share on other sites

i have the same letter from gallant & macmillan. i have spoken to the company who are real solicitors they have a web site.

i was told that MOS instructed a soft ware company to track illeagal usage of there files on the internet, g& M have taken out a court order against the ip providers in my case sky and have obtained the addresses of the holders. she assured me that they are real solicitors and that the letter is genuine, they will be taking a case up and that the only way to be cleared is to either pay the 375 or take legal advice to prove you havent down loaded the file in question. my letter quotes the annual 2010 and gave a date in december.

 

I just got this same letter about annual 2010 and gave date 23.12.10

Link to post
Share on other sites

Can someone please help?

My mother has been issued a copyright infringement letter for a Cascada song.

The letter is asking her for damages of £295 and because of recent financial troubles, we won't be able to pay this fine very easily.

I'm only 17 and me and my mother do not want to go to court to fight it.

The letter didn't specify what song was downloaded so by googleing the copyright holders, I found this site.

I don't wish to dig through 150 pages of this thread to find the right advice.

I can give more information if necessary but can someone please respond soon?

Thanks

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've had a letter from Gallant Macmillan today today regarding us allegedly downloading a Ministry of Sound file....really worried and I am going to read the forum in more detail. I'm confident that no-one in the house would have shared anything from our computer, but how do I prove it?

 

I've just called Sky to try to verify our IP address and they are no help at all, they just quote a 192.168....generic one.

 

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated, do I respond, or just ignore it?

Link to post
Share on other sites

i have the same letter from gallant & macmillan. i have spoken to the company who are real solicitors they have a web site.

i was told that MOS instructed a soft ware company to track illeagal usage of there files on the internet, g& M have taken out a court order against the ip providers in my case sky and have obtained the addresses of the holders. she assured me that they are real solicitors and that the letter is genuine, they will be taking a case up and that the only way to be cleared is to either pay the 375 or take legal advice to prove you havent down loaded the file in question. my letter quotes the annual 2010 and gave a date in december.

 

 

I thought the burden of proof was theirs as there making the accusations and as far as im aware the sort of proof they are taking about is only that an ip address linked to us was linked to the traffic of an uploaded file.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've had a letter from Gallant Macmillan today today regarding us allegedly downloading a Ministry of Sound file....really worried and I am going to read the forum in more detail. I'm confident that no-one in the house would have shared anything from our computer, but how do I prove it?

 

I've just called Sky to try to verify our IP address and they are no help at all, they just quote a 192.168....generic one.

 

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated, do I respond, or just ignore it?

 

Are you sure Sky quoted a 192.168 address? This isn't the address that Sky would give you as this type of address comes from your router and not you ISP. Sky would not know about any 192 type addresses as this is the other side of your router which is designed to keep internal (192) address and externall addresses seperate. Doesn't really make any difference to the claim just seems odd that's all

Link to post
Share on other sites

as an add on to the above the girl at G & M did giove me teh soft ware company name but i didnt note it down she said they were a world wide company

 

 

Can you remember anything about the name of the company so people can try to do some reasearch?

 

Edit: Sorry I meant the monitoring company

Edited by captain-123
Clarifiacation
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi I just recieved a letter the same as joe1979 however I am with sky not easynet and I have never used bittorrent and the IP address is not my IP address and I did not download the ministry of sound - the annual 2010 on 8.12.2009. What do I do, ignore it, phone them or send them a letter.

Link to post
Share on other sites

sky bought out easynet in 2005 and is still one off te names associated with sky ip addresses. i believe with sky that they have system that issues an ip address out of a network group of addresses when you log on or something similar to that so you dont have the same ip address all the time the digits after the last dot change.

Link to post
Share on other sites

To all new recipients of letters.

 

Don't panic - this sounds very much like the scheme that ACS Law have been running.

 

If you didn't download/upload anything - DON'T pay anything.

If you did download/upload something - seek legal advice but don’t pay what they are asking – it is disproportionate to any losses incurred by the rights holder. Better still don't pay anything until they prove you did, because they can't from just an ip address.

 

Read this forum thread, it will help you make an informed decision about how to proceed.

 

@ davvruss – it would be helpful if you could remember the name of the company used to monitor the ip addresses, or maybe phone up and ask for it again?

 

Cheers

Link to post
Share on other sites

@mattpaint, was your film mediacat or something different?

 

Did they give any reason for the amount being double the norm?

 

 

without giving away specifics...it was a certain porn film and its sequel so it was for 2 films i suppose...yes it was media cat...

Link to post
Share on other sites

without giving away specifics...it was a certain porn film and its sequel so it was for 2 films i suppose...yes it was media cat...

 

 

I don't think it works like that it's not the case of debbie does dallas x 2 a sequel is still only one film. In Jaws 2 there wern't 2 sharks or an extra film :)

 

Sounds like another cockup if you pardon the joke

Link to post
Share on other sites

style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 4962 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...