Will they put me into prison?

[FrightenedInWales]

Hello

 

I am very young person from continental Europe. So please be patient, and i am sorry if braking any rules here on forum.

 

I have received couple of calls from AIC company. All of them on voice mail. They have given phone number, under which should i call back, some reference number, and contact to MR Bluma.

 

I have called them back. No very nice lady asked my personal details: reference number, name, surname, address. I have told no way as i don't know name of company. She was pressing harder to receive my details. I was pressing as well. She told AIC Allied International Credit (most probably, i dont know for sure, english is not my native language).

 

My debt could be:

- virgin media - broadband ( received warrning that they would pass my details to debt collecting agency, debt once again, paid yesterday, no info from them if they have passed my details to debt collecting company or not)

- i owe 2 months council tax, i have paid today, and received e-mail from CT section they have not passed this into debt collecting agency

- tickets, my car is still registered for house which i have escaped 18 minths ago, and did not collect mail - low possibility to take those mails back, anyway i have send today V5C (registration document) do DVLA that i want to change address

- water - i dont pay for water, i even dont know how should i pay, no letters from welsh water etc.

- i have no credit cards

- there was no 0 on bank account so all direct debet charges were happy

 

What should i do?

I have read that AIC has to send me 2 letters before taking any action, what if they dont have my current accomodation address?

 

How could it be finished? Will they take my savings from bank account? Or they would hang on my salary?

 

Can they visit my rented house and take my goods by force?

 

Can they put me into prison?

 

Should i escape to Europe back?

 

Should i employ solicitor to help this problem?

 

Should i inform AIC to send me letter to my new address?

 

Please let me know asap. I really dont want to have visit of mob as in my country it is usual and normal way to collect debts.

[ODC]

These 'people' are a real shower of BAST***S They will threaten you with all sorts. They have NO LEGAL powers whatsoever. DO NOT speak to them on the phone. They can do very little to you. Wait until you get something in writing from them and we will advise you on further action

[FrightenedInWales]

Thank you.

What if they dont know my current address?

 

What they can do to me in worst case?

How should i let them know my real current address?

[Alloyz1]

You can only go to prison for '...a willful refusal to pay a court ordered fine or payment'. You can not go to prison if you CANNOT pay or for any other type of debt.

[jed2004]

These 'people' are a real shower of BAST***S They will threaten you with all sorts. They have NO LEGAL powers whatsoever. DO NOT speak to them on the phone. They can do very little to you. Wait until you get something in writing from them and we will advise you on further action

 

I totally agree!! Please do not speak to them on the phone AIC in my opinion have to be the worst of the worst, As i to made the mistake in speaking to them on the phone and the lady was so rude i ended up in tears trying to explain my situation and did she care no!! I'm now dealing with them in writing and that is the only way i will contact them!! You'll get all the help you need on here

[Massamum]

First of all please try not to worry (easier said than done I know). You are in the right place to get help.

 

 

You did the right thing in refusing to give out your personal details to the lady on the phone. It is best not to speak to debt collection agencies over the phone as they will say horrible things (often untrue) and scare you half to death. Everything should be done in writing.

 

A mob will not visit you at home to collect debts either. Nor can they take your goods. Bailiffs cannot visit your home until you have been to court and been given a county court judgment and then only if you haven’t paid the amount can a bailiff visit you.

 

Its difficult to know how to proceed without knowing what debt AIC are chasing you for. It might be an idea to send them this letter, of course they will then know your address but it will be the only way of finding out why they are chasing you.

 

Someone with a bit more knowledge will be along to help you soon.

[ODC]

Thank you.

What if they dont know my current address?

 

What they can do to me in worst case?

How should i let them know my real current address?

 

DO not give them your new address. You are not obliged to tell them anything. The worst thing they can do is get a county court judgement against you. These people specialise in preying on folk who do not know their rights

[mr.ton]

There's more chance of them going into prison for all the illegal harrassment they put people under

Rule number 1 - refuse to answer security questions if they phone you, just keep on saying "Everything in writing" over & over....

[Revenant]

It's clear that english is not your native tongue or where you come from but you have put your case across well

You would I assume find it so much easier to talk to someone in your own language so that being the case if/when they call again do exactly that but do not say anything rude etc or give any details just in case the call is recorded and they get it translated at a later date (More than likely they'll be too thick for that)

There's nothing to prevent you using your own language and I'll bet that it wouldn't take long for them to get fed up, intelligence allowing that is

(Did something similar with a colleague a few years back, he wrote a report for our boss and it got thrown back because he couldn't write in english properly, I suggested he re-wrote the report in his own hand . . Arabic . . our boss couldn't understand a word of it but it looked as if the report had been printed by machine as it was immaculate)

Good luck

[ODC]

If they ring up and you do answer the phone speak in your own language and tell them the only English you know is F**K OFF

[Revenant]

If they ring up and you do answer the phone speak in your own language and tell them the only English you know is F**K OFF

 

The same idea but more to the point ODC

The mononsylabic universal farewell

[FrightenedInWales]

Thank you all for reply and advices. I really appreciate it. Really appreciate means really appreciate, it is not only being nice.

 

Please keep this post without bad words, i would like to receive answers helping my humble person. Such words will not help me, they would only make this post closer to the bin.

 

Are there any other methods to get know whom i am owing money?

Should i go to solicitor?

 

How should i widthaw such information from Virgin Media if they hit AIC or not?

 

I have received e-mail from Council Tax section that they were going to sent me reminding letter at Friday, but they didn't pass my debt on tax to AIC. I presume i can trust those lady from Council Tax section and don't dig in area of council tax.

 

So lets go forward my dear kin on this forum.

 

How can i widthraw information from Police if they have ticketed me or not? I was stopped 27th September by officer for not having rear light. (He phoned to main base to ask what is type of light bulb in rear ligh in Volvo S40 98, and then he has given me options: he will give me a lift to Tesco and i buy proper bulb, or i go to police station in 2 weeks with repaired light bulb, he has teared up papers when i told him i am on my way to airport, and just asked to to change bulb asap - sorry for long sentence) He has checked my account as well, it was clean. I dont think any speed camera could catch me in the meantime, but this might happen. Anyway i had gap in Road Tax 2 days, so mightbe somebody is not patient and wants to ticket me for this gap so badly.

 

Could it be water service? How could i know how should i pay for water in Baglan in Port Talbot? I even dont see any counter in house.

 

Is there any probability that AIC would leave me alone, when i pay all my debts?

 

Thank you kin in advance for any help.

Please keep replying without bad words.

Edited October 7, 2009 by FrightenedInWales

[emandcole]

Hi, you're in the right place now and people here will all help to make sure you're not treated unfairly.

 

Here's what I'd suggest you do first off:

 

As others have correctly pointed out wait for the letters to arrive, this will help you determine who the alleged debt is from.

 

In the meantime do not use the phone to these people, they will lie and tell you anything to get money from you. If you can afford to pay a little extra on your phone bill many providers have a service that will let you stop numbers coming in, that way you don't have to listen to the barrage of calls.

 

Your council tax bill is a priority debt so try to service this debt first. Stay in touch with your council and keep them informed of your situation if you are struggling, hiding your head will not help you! Also, and very importantly, your council have a legal obligation to treat you correctly (unlike the debt collection agencies who will try to cheat you) so make sure your council act fairly. The same goes for any collection agencies the council may employ to collect any outstanding council tax. The council have a duty to ensure their agent acts fairly, if they do not you can complain and they have to act. Any problems with your council let us know on the forum ok?

 

I would also suggest that you keep every single letter you receive and store them in a folder so you can build a record of the letters and also keep a copy of any letters you send to them. If possible always send these letters by recorded delivery and keep the proof of postage in your file. If in the future you need to defend yourself this proof of correspondance can come in very handy.

 

Long term planning:

Do you have a planned budget sheet so you can see where your money goes? Obviously try and cut back if you can on anything you don't need.

 

Once the letters have arrived and you know whats going on you can make a list of the debts, this way you know where you stand and can make a plan that suits you.

 

Hopefully between us all we can then establish who is chasing you for what and we can guide you through the process of making sure the debts are vaild. To help us do that you'll need to either rewrite the letter on here so we can read and understand whats going on, or you'll need to scan them so we can advise you. Most importantly though DO NOT FORGET to hide your personal details like your name and address ok?

 

Little by little we can work through your problems and make sure you're only left with the bills you should pay. Do not worry if possible, stay strong and work with us on the forum. The agencies chasing you are often ruthless but fortunately their powers are very limited. Keep us all posted!

[Bendy1-2-1]

I'm probably wrong about this but isn't it illegal to not tell them you've moved house? I thought i read somewhere on here it was but, like I say, I may have dreamnt it.

[zander]

Thank you all for reply and advices. I really appreciate it. Really appreciate means really appreciate, it is not only being nice.

 

Please keep this post without bad words, i would like to receive answers helping my humble person. Such words will not help me, they would only make this post closer to the bin.

 

Are there any other methods to get know whom i am owing money?

Should i go to solicitor?

 

How should i widthaw such information from Virgin Media if they hit AIC or not?

 

I have received e-mail from Council Tax section that they were going to sent me reminding letter at Friday, but they didn't pass my debt on tax to AIC. I presume i can trust those lady from Council Tax section and don't dig in area of council tax.

 

So lets go forward my dear kin on this forum.

 

How can i widthraw information from Police if they have ticketed me or not? I was stopped 27th September by officer for not having rear light. (He phoned to main base to ask what is type of light bulb in rear ligh in Volvo S40 98, and then he has given me options: he will give me a lift to Tesco and i buy proper bulb, or i go to police station in 2 weeks with repaired light bulb, he has teared up papers when i told him i am on my way to airport, and just asked to to change bulb asap - sorry for long sentence) He has checked my account as well, it was clean. I dont think any speed camera could catch me in the meantime, but this might happen. Anyway i had gap in Road Tax 2 days, so mightbe somebody is not patient and wants to ticket me for this gap so badly.

 

Could it be water service? How could i know how should i pay for water in Baglan in Port Talbot? I even dont see any counter in house.

 

Is there any probability that AIC would leave me alone, when i pay all my debts?

 

Thank you kin in advance for any help.

Please keep replying without bad words.

 

?????????

[tottys]

have you had any letters from welsh water??? if you e mail them and explain your situation they are understanding and will help listen to all the advice on here they are very helpful

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm probably wrong about this but isn't it illegal to not tell them you've moved house?

 

 

No.

[FrightenedInWales]

Hello once again.

After 2 months of brake they have phoned me once again.

From number 0 1412 283196, wanted me to contact them back very urgently, and gave reference number.

 

Countcil tax is paid and i have received information that they did not call any debt collecting agency yet.

 

Welsh water is paid.

 

I contacted DVLA and have car certificate for proper address.

 

In the meantime i was thinking hard what could be reason.

I have found something.

It might be churchill car insurance.

 

1. I have car insurance from april 2008 to april 2009, i was very high and taked by direct debit from my account, in april i wanted to finish this insurance as it was very high (no claim bonus) so i have cancelled direct debit from my bank account and not informed churchill about it as calling by phone is pain in ass for me.

2. I have started new car insurance with churchill by online form, but i have made mistake, it started in may not april. when i found mistake i have called Churchill, they cancelled new insurance from may 2009 and started insurance from april 2009 as it should be done.

3. After 3 months i have received letter that they want my number of previous insurance as 1year no claim bonus.

I didn't take any action.

 

So they might want money for automaticly renewed insurance from april 2008 to april 2009, which still goes forward but monye supply is cut as i cancelled direct debit from my account.

 

And Churchill might want more money because they dont have proof of 1 year no claim bonus.

 

What should i do in this case?

[emandcole]

If I understand correctly it seems possible that you have claimed 1 years no claim bonus but not provided evidence of it. All you can do is talk to them and work out if that's the case and ask what it is they need you to do to sort it all out.

 

As for remaining debts you can only respond if you are informed by someone so if you've had nothing specific then do not worry yourself too much. If you do owe money and it needs collecting I'm sure someone will be in touch. When you receive such information let us know.

[spamheed]

Look at this objectively.

 

If you had a problem with the Water, Council tax, or Car insurance, they would write to you and advise you that they need to rectify whatever problem exists. Now this would be the Council, the water company or the insurance company that would contact you and not a debt Collection agency that you have absolutely no knowledge of.

 

Companies such as this rely a great deal on the telephone, it allows them to scare, intimidate and harrass people without leaving a paper trail which could incriminate them. As previously stated, do not phone them at all, do not feel obliged to contact them until they have written to you to explain exactly what it is that they want.

 

You are breaking no law by doing this and you are under no compulsion or liability to phone them or contact them at all. You do not have to revert to using bad language, but sometimes it takes such expletives to get the message into their ignorant heads. simply replace the words with ones you feel more comfortable using "Go Away" etc. I feel that the best solution would be for you to answer the phone in your native tongue and continue the conversation in that language, refuse point blank to speak English and they would quickly grow weary and leave you alone

[BiGaD09]

Having read your first post I would assume they are chasing your Virgin media debt because the council and water board pursue debts themselves right through to court (at least in my neck of the woods) and as your car insurance was monthly direct debit once the direct debit is cancelled the insurer usually just cancels the policy.

It might be an idea to contact Virgin and see if it is them that have passed it. As you stated you have paid them directly they can then contact AIC and inform them that the account is settled. I had a similar situation with ebay, paid ebay directly but DCA continued to chase. I moaned to ebay and they rectified it.