Litigation Services Co letter for 5 year old debt!

[splosher]

Hi

Hoping someone can help me out and explain a couple of things regarding the letter from The Litigation Services Co. that's turned up today (wednesday 21st October, 2009) stating I owe £789.76 from a previous address I moved from over 5 years ago!

 

Now, I'm not denying the debt's mine as it is but why such a long delay? All my other debts have found me and have been addressed over the last 5 years, so how come these have just poped up out of the blue to knock me for six with this?!

 

The letter states:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEMAND FOR PAYMENT

Charges in respect of:************

This unpaid debt has been passed to us for collection and we have been authorised to take steps to obtain full payment.

Please contact us immediately on 08448156590 to make payment and provide the correct details to enable us to update our records accordingly.

It is vital the the account has the correct customer details if the supply is still required.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS LETTER.

Our opening times are Mondayto Friday, 8.30am to 8pm

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The top of the letter has "PO BOX 604, Shrewsbury, SY3 8ZH" and that's it really.

I need to know what I should do now they've got in touch with me after so long? How do this comapny approach people - for instance, am I going to find bailiffs on my doorstep anytime soon?

There's no way on this Earth I can pay this money back as i'm on partial benefits and employed in a part-time job that takes home just £80 a week, so there isn't one penny left over for myself, let alone a 5 year old United Utilities bill. Also, I have just spent the last 5 years paying of thousands in Council Tax and rent due to problems stemming from around 5/6 years ago and have only just got clear in the last 6 months or so!

 

Hope some of you debt experts can help me out?

Cheers

[PGH7447]

they cannot expect to dish out ambigious letters whenever they feel like it and expect people to cough up send the prove it letter, and as it is a utility bill from way back then I believe it would be uncollectable anyway

[splosher]

they cannot expect to dish out ambigious letters whenever they feel like it and expect people to cough up send the prove it letter, and as it is a utility bill from way back then I believe it would be uncollectable anyway

 

Many thanks for the rapid response, PGH7447 and its come as a complete surprise due to the fact i'm in Council property for the last 5 years and on the electoral register, so have had to pay and settle all known debts already.

The debt must be at the least 5 and a half years old as I took tenancy in May, 2004.

Can you point me in the right direction for the Prove It letter please?

[mkb]

Here you go. Send it unsigned & recorded. Remember, they have to prove you owe the debt & if no payments made in last 6yrs, it'll be statute barred anyway

 

Dear Sir/Madam

Account Number: xxxxxx

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself.

 

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to xxxxxx.

 

I am familiar with the CPUTR 2008 and the Office of Fair Trading's Guidance on debt collection, which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

 

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. AND in not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

 

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

 

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

 

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to Trading Standards and also inform the Office Of Fair Trading of your actions.

 

I look forward to your reply.

 

Yours faithfully

[splosher]

Here you go. Send it unsigned & recorded. Remember, they have to prove you owe the debt & if no payments made in last 6yrs, it'll be statute barred anyway

 

Dear Sir/Madam

 

Account Number: xxxxxx

 

 

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself.

 

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to xxxxxx.

 

I am familiar with the CPUTR 2008 and the Office of Fair Trading's Guidance on debt collection, which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

 

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. AND in not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

 

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

 

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

 

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to Trading Standards and also inform the Office Of Fair Trading of your actions.

 

I look forward to your reply.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Thanks mkb, will get it off but one thing bothers me: it's 5 and a half years, so 6 months short of being statute barred - what'll happen if I send the letter to them? Can they the hold it up as receiving my aknowledgement to the debt?

[twofoot]

That letter will not affect the debt being SB in six months time.

[ScarletPimpernel]

This is a company called Complete Credit Management Ltd., formerly called The Litigation Services Company but changed in 2004.

 

The physical address the company is registered at (which should, under the Companies Act 2006, be shown on all stationary) is:

 

OLD DOCKS HOUSE 90 WATERY LANE

ASHTON-ON-RIBBLE

PRESTON

LANCASHIRE

PR2 1AU

- the same as RMA/NCO.

 

However, Complete Credit Management/The Litigation Services Company are registered with ICO and on the OFT database with a different address:

 

2297 Coventry Road

Birmingham

B26 3PU

 

...which happens to be the address of the head office of Severn Trent Water.

 

Their Consumer Credit Licence expired on 06 Aug 2009, but an application for renewal has been made.

[splosher]

That letter will not affect the debt being SB in six months time.

 

Okay then, cheers Twofoot.

[splosher]

This is a company called Complete Credit Management Ltd., formerly called The Litigation Services Company but changed in 2004.

 

The physical address the company is registered at (which should, under the Companies Act 2006, be shown on all stationary) is:

 

OLD DOCKS HOUSE 90 WATERY LANE

ASHTON-ON-RIBBLE

PRESTON

LANCASHIRE

PR2 1AU

- the same as RMA/NCO.

 

However, Complete Credit Management/The Litigation Services Company are registered with ICO and on the OFT database with a different address:

 

2297 Coventry Road

Birmingham

B26 3PU

 

...which happens to be the address of the head office of Severn Trent Water.

 

Their Consumer Credit Licence expired on 06 Aug 2009, but an application for renewal has been made.

 

Cheers for extra info, ScarletPimpernel.

 

So, they're legitimately connected with the various Water Board's of the UK then and in so are acting in the interests of United Utilities and are not just functioning after buying the debt from someone? Does this change things dramatically?

 

OPPS! Sorry a double-post!

[PGH7447]

nope