DCA playing games?

[greatburdon]

I recieved out of the blue a request for payment from a DCA. Although I know the 'alleged creditor' I provided my services 3 years ago and have no further obligation to them.

 

I sent the letter in the debt collectors templates No. 18 The Consumer Forums

 

Their response is : http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/greatburdon/brijeshrayreply.jpg

 

As far as I am aware there is no signed agreement and there certainly is no liability.

 

Do I ask for a copy of the agreement they have? (Is this a CCA request?) or just send a general bogoff letter?

 

greatburdon

Edited June 19, 2009 by greatburdon

[greatburdon]

Photobucket link was not working sorry ... now fixed!

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

greatburdon

[maroondevo52]

Hi,

 

What was the debt for and who are the DCA.

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

[kurvaface]

It says on the bottom of the letter "First debt recovery limited"

[greatburdon]

The DCA are an outfit called First Debt Recovery Ltd (based in Wakefield) and the alleged debt is for training I gave which the client was satisfied with. There was no signed agreement as stated and I am bemused where this claim has come from.

 

greatburdon

[cerberusalert]

You have told them you have no knowledge of the alleged debt and asked them to prove it. Their reply that they have evidence of the debt doesn't answer your request for proof. Personally I would make a complaint to your local Trading Standards & the OFT because until these idiots decide to show their hand this situation has reached an impasse.

 

Nobody in their right mind would pay a debt because some idiot says they owe them money.

[greatburdon]

Thanks for your reply cerb., perhaps if I CPR them they might show their strong evidence?

 

greatburdon

[cerberusalert]

I had to smile when they stated that they 'confirm this matter stays open until mediation resolves the matter'.

 

You might as well take them at their word, ask them for a copy of their complaints proceedure. Once you have made a complaint to them & it's still unresolved you can then make another complaint to FOS, & because of their workload that'll take another 18 months.

[ScarletPimpernel]

The grammar in the letter is rather odd in places.

 

I was unable to find a record of the company on the OFT consumer credit licence database when searched by name, postcode and company registration number. I also note that they only registered with ICO in May this year.

 

So, when you ask them for their complaints procedure, ask them to confirm their consumer credit licence number too.

[PGH7447]

First Debt Recovery, established debt collection and unrivalled debt recovery

 

Registered Address: First Debt Recovery Ltd, 59 Northgate, Wakefield, WF1 3BP

Registered in England and Wales Company Number: 06651065

 

nothing I can see on their website to indicate membership of the CSA, in fact the whole site looks mickeymouse, I would throw the letter in the ignore pile

 

heres part of the profile of the guy heading this outfit

 

Chris xxx has a highly successful track record and specialised in locating absconded criminals who had previously evaded capture and escaped with the proceeds of their crimes.

So you naughty boys and girsl look out an ex copper is on the case

[cerberusalert]

Name & Registered Office:

FIRST DEBT RECOVERY LIMITED

59 NORTHGATE

WAKEFIELD

UNITED KINGDOM

WF1 3BP

Company No. 06651065

 

 

 

Status: Active

Date of Incorporation: 21/07/2008

 

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Company Type: Private Limited Company

Nature of Business (SIC(03)):

None Supplied

Accounting Reference Date: 31/07

Last Accounts Made Up To: (NO ACCOUNTS FILED)

Next Accounts Due: 21/04/2010

Last Return Made Up To:

Next Return Due: 18/08/2009

Previous Names:

No previous name information has been recorded over the last 20 years.

 

WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information

[PGH7447]

another classic piece of garbage

 

First Debt Recovery charge NO COMMISSION! That charge is, in fact, passed onto the debtor so you've no need to worry about how much of the money you are owed you will actually have to pay out once it has been successfully collected.

[cerberusalert]

They must be a versatile outfit

 

Kids Culture Clothes Shops - Childrens & Babies

 

59, Northgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 3BP

 

Butterflies Clothes Shops - Childrens & Babies

 

55, Northgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 3BP

 

Abson Blaza Property Services

 

59 Northgate, Wakefield, WF1 3BP

[ScarletPimpernel]

From their website:

 

First Debt Recovery charge NO COMMISSION! That charge is, in fact, passed onto the debtor so you've no need to worry about how much of the money you are owed you will actually have to pay out once it has been successfully collected.

 

 

That'll be contrary to the OFT Guidance, then.

 

Edited to add: Great minds, PGH, great minds...

[mr.ton]

They obviously want you to contact the OFT/trading standards..so go ahead & make their day

[mr.ton]

I do love the way they stress on their website about Mr Taylor having 30 years experience in the CID & Fraud squad...anyone would think that is a psychological tactic to scare people into paying up

Fact is these rogues have as much power as the next DCA....none at all, & have to obey consumer laws as much as the rest of them.

[cerberusalert]

As long as he doesn't try to access NPIA: Police National Computer

 

Or via his friends http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-chiefs-association-accused-of-profiteering-1622528.html

[ScarletPimpernel]

Well, well, would you believe it...

 

It seems that the DCA (sans consumer credit licence), run by the ex-copper, is part of a group of companies called Park Lane Services International. They appear to be a claims management company that asks for upfront fees.

 

However, the name rang a bell, and it transpires that a company called Park Lane Services International is mentioned in another CAG thread. It makes interesting reading.

 

Rather more interesting, indeed, than this rather dull effort:

 

First Debt Recovery on YouTube

 

The YouTube contributor's other videos are mostly concerned with property in Spain, which links rather nicely back to PSLI and Toni Muldoon.

[kurvaface]

Trading standards

 

08454 040506

 

give them a ring

[PGH7447]

Well, well, would you believe it...

 

It seems that the DCA (sans consumer credit licence), run by the ex-copper, is part of a group of companies called Park Lane Services International. They appear to be a claims management company that asks for upfront fees.

 

 

.

 

So he's playing both sides of the field apparently helping to reclaim charges etc and chasing alledged debtors!!

 

So thats probably why he aint a member of the CSA

[Undercover-Elsa]

Interesting

I know a lot of Wakefield police through a family member. I'll ask around.

I think the Northgate address is a multilevel block with various businesses on each floor. Abson Blaza are quite a long established Estate Agency with various local offices, they're at street level.

 

While I was looking around at domain details for Mr Plod, ironically I came across this Google Ad:

 

HOW TO SET UP A DEBT RECOVERY AGENCY

1 day course:

This full day public course is priced at £395.00 + VAT per delegate or £350.00 + VAT per person when 2 or more people book at the same time. Included in this are:

• All course materials (Doorstep Hoist, Red and Black Printer Ink, English to DCA Dictionary?)

• Tuition from a qualified collections expert with a debt collection agency already (ALREADY?? whooooooo!)

• Course Certificate (We hereby confirm that you are a qualified pr*tt)

• Lunch

• Refreshments

 

So easy!!! What are we waiting for????

 

With regard to the original question, PC Plod & Co seem woefully unaware that it's the debt collector who has to prove the debt, not vice versa. Maybe they should take the above course....

Elsa x

Edited June 20, 2009 by Undercover-Elsa

[greatburdon]

Thanks for your replies. In the testimonials on the first discovery website it appears that when involved they have achieved payment within 7 or 14 days according to their satisfied customers. Perhaps I had better pay now as its near to 14 days since initial contact8)

 

I will write asking for their complaints procedure and a copy of 'the signed agreement' also send complaints to Trading Standards and OFT as invited by them.

 

greatburdon

Edited June 20, 2009 by greatburdon

[greatburdon]

Thinking of sending the following in response to first debt recoveries letter. Is there anything I should add?

First debt recovery reply 25 june.doc

[ScarletPimpernel]

It's worth noting that the OFT Guidance and licencing only applies to consumer debt;you may want to consider whether this could be considered a commercial matter.

[ODC]

I love the way he refers to you in his letter as the defendant.

 

I suppose he expects you to turn round and say. '' Its a fair cop guv, youve got me banged to rights''

 

What a supercillious Piers Morgan