Vet and DCA

[cirrus]

Just after some advice please. My vet bill was issued in late Sept and there was a discrepancy over the amount. It was amended and a new bill sent out whilst i was on holiday. When I got back it was lost in all the holiday post. Eventually (mid-Nov) my wife found it and sent a cheque (£71) from work via business post - usually arrives next working day. Now, my dog fell ill yesterday and I need a vet to see her so I called and they claim that my account has been passed to a DCA and there is nothing they can do!

 

I called my bank and they said the cheque has not been processed and 'stopped' it for me. I called the vet back and offered immediate payment over the phone to be told they can't accept it as it is in the hands of their DCA as was passed to them on 28th Nov. It is now 28th Dec and I haven't had ANY comms from them whatsoever.

 

I have checked the bill from the vet and it says nothing about accounts being passed to DCA's or anything like that. It merely states that overdue accounts will attract a 3% monthly charge.

 

My question is this - are they able to pass over an account without any formal notification? I am in business myself and I send an invoice, first payment reminder, second payment reminder with statement and then a letter advising legal recourse if payment not received within 14 days. Surely they will be no different?

[dx100uk]

dca have no powers to add anything to a bill

neither have the vets

 

why not take the bill in to them and pay it?

 

dx

[cirrus]

I offered and they said they wouldn't take payment as the DCA were dealing. I have been into them just now and she tried to add a £40 charge but I insisted my contract was with them and seeing as neither they nor I had received any comms from the DCA that they would accept the original outstanding payment, with interest and deem the matter settled. I walked away with them telling me they had accepted payment but that they would look into it properly on Monday. As far as I'm concerned that is an end to it. The DCA can sing for it seeing as neither I or the vet have heard from them regarding this matter.

[dx100uk]

a dca has NO LEGAL REMIT

 

to add anything to a debt.

 

dx

[cirrus]

So how do they get their money?

[dx100uk]

typically because people pay a dca on a debt they do not OWE to the DCA

 

they owe it to the OC

 

then the DCA take a 'cut'

 

dx

[cirrus]

Interesting, I run a couple of businesses and was recently charged £40 by a DCA for their 'fees' in collecting an overdue account. I received no notification, just a letter demanding the overdue amount and £40 + interest. Are you saying they cannot do this?

[dx100uk]

correct

 

you could of paid the debt directly without the fees.

 

dx

[cirrus]

I did pay it direct but they insisted on paying the fees. Then they 'closed' our account. I am sure I may have some recourse on this now then.

[dx100uk]

unless it is written in the agreed t+c's they cannot charge a fee

 

what i mean is

 

pay the original creditor/invoice not a debt collector

 

never ever pay a dca anything.

 

dx

[cirrus]

Thanks dx, I will check and make sure!

[Jam_Buttie]

My vet tried to send my account to a DCA for £38. After they'd had over £650 from me in 2 days.

 

But I wrote them a snotty letter advising that the whole reason for me not wanting to pay the £38 was due to my dog catching Parvo IN THEIR PRACTICE and the £650 they had out of me the day before the dog was PTS was more than enough.

 

And I know full well they caught Parvo from them as they had addmitted the day before that the7y had 38 cases of Parvo in that week.

 

I havent heard off them since June and my doggies are now reg'd elsewhere.

[stu007]

Hi

 

What I would also consider is a Formal Complaint to the veternary surgery (if it is part of a chain try to find out the Head Office and send complaint their).

 

Now remember as the DCA services have been employed by that vets surgery they ultimately have the powers to instruct that DCA to stop collection as payment has been recieved by the vets surgery.

 

So the vets surgery excuse that their is nothing they can do is BULL.

 

Now if you do complain in writing (always get proof of posting and keep a good paper trail) and I would ask for a copy of the following Documents:

 

1. Surgery Terms & Conditions.

2. Complaints Procedure.

3. Overdue Account Payments Policy and Procedure.

4. Account Statement.

5. Full Head Office Address-(Only if Part of a Chain)

 

You also require a full explanation as to why the Surgery is refusing your request to pay this account on numerous occasions.

 

Due to the Vets Surgery refusal to accept payment for this account I now place this 'IN DISPUTE' and require you to let your (DCA Name) know that this account is 'IN DISPUTE'.

 

 

NEVER talk to a DCA on the Phone nor hand over any payment to these people only deal with the Creditor (Vets Surgery), a DCA has no powers.

Edited December 28, 2012 by stu007