Another DCA ploy

[theshuffler]

Hi all , got a postcard this morning addressed to the occupier . The card comes from Hull and asks to call John Doe on 01482380680 ref ********** . Anyone know who the culprit is?

[Jasper1965]

Google reckons it's Wescot.

[ODC]

Best ignored shuff unless of course you want some sport with them. Dont worry as sure as night follows day you will get a threatomatic from Westcrap threatening you with a CCJ in Hull County Court.

[boswell]

No doubt aother Phishing trip.

[theshuffler]

Might wait for the threatomatic , might be for someone else in the house. wouldnt mind a bit of sport though . Decisions decisions . Are they bottom feeders?

[ODC]

Yes they are bottom feeders. They are easily dispatched.

[theshuffler]

lol getting tempted ODC

[Seminole]

When dealing with these clowns always bear in mind that they are owned by Experian. I think this goes a long way to explain the credit reference agency business model.

[theshuffler]

Interesting never knew that Seminole , might just sit tight a while see what else they come up with . Are these fishing trips not illegal?

[teaandtoast]

John Doe???

[ODC]

Interesting never knew that Seminole , might just sit tight a while see what else they come up with . Are these fishing trips not illegal?

Addressing letters or even worse postcards to The Occupier is a clear breach of the OFT Guidelines on debt collection

[theshuffler]

Thought that ODC and tea and toast i didnt think it was fair to put the muppets name up , after all he is only trying to make a living. lol

[Seminole]

Thought that ODC and tea and toast i didnt think it was fair to put the muppets name up , after all he is only trying to make a living. lol

 

I wouldn't worry about it. He probably doesn't exist but, if he does, he deserves to have his name and address broadcast.

[theshuffler]

Its only a first name ALEX

[theshuffler]

A quick phonecall confirms his name as Alex Robins , and he states it is not illegal to send out postcards and it is common buisness practice , i refused to give him any reference number so he bid me farewell.

[babybear39]

Report them to TS and the OFT via Consumer Direct for breaching OFT guidlines.

[ODC]

A quick phonecall confirms his name as Alex Robins , and he states it is not illegal to send out postcards and it is common buisness practice , i refused to give him any reference number so he bid me farewell.

 

You may want to ring the clown up again and point out the OFT Guidelines on Debt Collection

[Melbel]

or print it out and send it marked for his attention in the post

[babybear39]

Here are the relevant guidleines :

 

Communication

2.1 It is unfair to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear,

inaccurate or misleading manner.

2.2 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

a. use of official looking documents intended or likely to mislead

debtors as to their status, for example, documents made to resemble court

claims.

b. leaving out or presenting information in such a way that it

creates a false or misleading impression or exploits debtors'

lack of knowledge

c. those contacting debtors not making clear who they are, who

they work for, what their role is, what the purpose of the

contact is

d. unnecessary and unhelpful use of legal and technical language, for

example, use of Latin phrases

e. failing to provide debtors or creditors with information on status

of debts, for example, not providing requested balance statements when

reasonably requested

f. contacting debtors at unreasonable times

g. ignoring or disregarding debtors' legitimate wishes in respect

of when and where to contact them, for example, shift workers who

ask not to be telephoned during certain times of the day

h. asking or instructing debtors to make contact on premium rate

telephone numbers

 

Physical/psychological harassment

2.5 Putting pressure on debtors or third parties is considered to be oppressive.

2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

a. contacting debtors at unreasonable times and at unreasonable intervals

b. pressurising debtors to sell property, to raise funds by further

borrowing or to extend their borrowing

c. using more than one debt collection business at the same time

resulting in repetitive and/or frequent contact by different parties

d. not ensuring that an adequate history of the debt is passed on as

appropriate resulting in repetitive and/or frequent contact by different

parties

e. not informing the debtor when their case has been passed on to a

different debt collector

f. pressurising debtors to pay in full, in unreasonably large instalments,

or to increase payments when they are unable to do so

g. making threatening statements or gestures or taking actions which

suggest harm to debtors

h. ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are

disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment

i. disclosing or threatening to disclose debt details to third parties unless

legally entitled to do so

j. acting in a way likely to be publicly embarrassing to the debtor either

deliberately or through lack of care, for example, by not putting

correspondence in a sealed envelope and putting it through a letterbox,

thereby running the risk that it could be read by third parties.

[theshuffler]

Have just posted a copy of his postcard along with some of the OFT guidelines for his purusal . It may be common business practice but its not legal Mr Robins.

[make them aktiv runners]

b. leaving out or presenting information in such a way that it

creates a false or misleading impression or exploits debtors'

lack of knowledge

 

e. not informing the debtor when their case has been passed on to a

different debt collector

 

You are too kind Babybear. I would add the above 2 as well less word 'different' in some instances.

[theshuffler]

Dear Mr Robins

Following our recent and short telephone conversation, in which you stated , that postcards addressed to the occupier of an address was quite legal and common business practice i would like to advise you of the OFT guidelines on unfair practices. Those contacting debtors not making clear who they are, who they work for, what their role is, what the purpose of the

contact is. Acting in a way likely to be publicly embarrassing to the debtor either

deliberately or through lack of care, for example, by not putting correspondence in a sealed envelope and putting it through a letterbox,thereby running the risk that it could be read by third parties.

I trust that this will make the matter clear to you and your company . I have forwarded my complaint to the Office of fair trading regarding your behaviour. I have deliberatley ommited any contact details for myself , in order that your company might think twice when considering sending out phishing mail in the future.

[Melbel]

Hahaha!! brilliant!!

[teed_off]

I had one of those cards this morning and called the number and spoke to a narky woman. She said it was a tracing dept and asked me for the ref so I told her to go an whistle for it and was reporting them to the OFT"

[42man]

I have added to this thread as an open postcard was addressed to 'The Occupier' at our office block, now there are about 6 companies working in this office block and it was posted through the main door....it requests to call Leon on 01482 380680 and a reference number and in the tiniest printed writing it says '2f is a trading name of Wescot Credit Services Ltd. Registered in Scotland...(and an unreadable number) And their 'registered' office Kyleshill House, 1, Glencairn Street, SALTCOATS, Ayrshire, KA21 5JT

 

This will of course be sent to the OFT.....