NCO Europe Debt Agency - Im Only 17! Help???

[SuperDan]

Hi there; basically to cut a long story short I was victim to a pretty nasty Paypal dispute/claim which left my Paypal balance at -£275 which was a totally unjust case, resolved in a technicality in favour of the wrong person. I didn't have the funds to pay the money back and not before long I began recieving phone calls off a company called 'NCO Europe'. As of yet I haven't spoken to the company directly (partly down to me being away and partly down to the home phone being rarely answered as we get so many cold calls) they have been leaving message after message on the answerphone asking me to get in touch. I was only (and still am) 17 when the issue began and I am beginning to develop a real sense of anxiety whenever the phone rings. I need some help and advice on the best way to deal with the problem; I don't have a job as I'm in full time education and don't have and means of being able to repay the debt. The thought of people coming over to my house and taking my/my families possessions makes me feel sick but from the research I've done on NCO it seems as if they are those kind of people...

Edited September 2, 2009 by SuperDan
Spelling mistakes :(

[blueda]

Hi SuperDan and welcome to CAG, No one is going to take you or your families possesions and it is unlikely that anyone will go to your house. You are best to contact NCO by letter and explain your situation, keep copys of all letters that you post and file all correspondence from them, someone with more direct experience will be along and advice you further.

[SuperDan]

Thank you for your reply; my main question is regarding my age and if I can use it in any way to support my situation? Also; when writing to NCO what should the focus of my letter be? Thanks

[cerberusalert]

Because you are under 18 they cannot do anything. You have to be 18 to open a PayPal a/c and they are in breach of the Money Laundering Act by not checking your identity which includes your age.

 

There's been a couple of cases like yours just recently and it was resolved by the intervention of Trading Standards, so your best route is to contact them via Consumer Direct Consumer Direct - Contact us

[itsamomentintime]

SuperDan if you write to them quoting their breach under the Money Laundering Act I am sure they will see the light....

[SuperDan]

Thanks for the advice; once I turn 18 will they be able to claim the debt again? Thanks.

[cerberusalert]

once I turn 18 will they be able to claim the debt again?

Not a chance.

[phil_nottingham]

NCO will shortly send you a card saying someone is calling round on Tues between 9am and 9pm (mr brown)

However ignore it, no one will call . If they did Mr brown would do a lot of traveling lol.

You may find you get a letter on solicitor headed letter paper(cant remember thier name). But ignore that to.

Edited September 3, 2009 by phil_nottingham

[DJGobby]

As the above have said. Contact Trading Standards, Paypal broke the law by not checking you were over 18, Not sure of the implications for you setting the account up being under 18. Anyways, contact your local TS or Consumer Direct and see how it goes. I had a debt of £375 to Paypal after a gambling problem and Paypal got the money back on my mums card!

[SuperDan]

Cheers for all the replies; this is helping me a lot. I've drafted a letter to NCO stating their breach of the law and that I will only contact them by letter. Does anybody know of how NCO resolve disputes where they are ignored/not paid?

[SuperDan]

And also; am I not at risk of fraud if I set up a Paypal account when I was under 18?

[cerberusalert]

And also; am I not at risk of fraud if I set up a Paypal account when I was under 18?

The fact that Paypal neglected to carry out the required checks far outways the fact that you didn't understand you had to be 18 to open it. You could write to Paypal and tell them that if they resolve your dispute & rectify your a/c you will have no need to make a complaint to the OFT and the FSA with respect to them not adhering to the Money Laundering Act.

[cerberusalert]

As for NCO Europe, don't worry about those muppets. Because you are under 18 you are not listed with any credit reference agency so you cannot be defaulted, nor can they take you to court for this alleged debt. Meanwhile send NCO this recorded delivery http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/573-general-debt-letter-if-you-know-nothing-of-the-debt