Scotcal have just knocked on my door

[scott7saunders]

Hey,

 

I have just come home from work and found a hand delivered note from Scotcall to say that they have just tried contacting me again about some money I apparently know on a couple of old mobile phone accounts..

 

There is a phone number and a polite but firm note telling me to call them urgently or else (paraphrased the letter)

 

Is this allowed ? the note suggests that they will be back later...

 

I dont know a great deal about the law however am I in my rights to tell them to go away etc?

 

Any suggestions on how to handle them?

 

Thanks

[sequenci]

Hello there.

 

How old are the mobile accounts? Are they subject to a court order? Are you living in Scotland?

[scott7saunders]

no court order and living in Englland. they are approx 5 years old

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

You have ABSOLUTELY NO OBLIGATION TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH AN INTINERANT SO CALLED DOORSTEPPER FROM SNOT CALL OR ANYONE ELSE!!

IF it calls again invite to leave immediately.

[Peterbard]

Hey,

 

I have just come home from work and found a hand delivered note from Scotcall to say that they have just tried contacting me again about some money I apparently know on a couple of old mobile phone accounts..

 

There is a phone number and a polite but firm note telling me to call them urgently or else (paraphrased the letter)

 

Is this allowed ? the note suggests that they will be back later...

 

I dont know a great deal about the law however am I in my rights to tell them to go away etc?

 

Any suggestions on how to handle them?

 

Thanks

 

If it were me, I would ring the number and ask what it was about, if you do not want him to call tell him so, and take it from there. They have no more rights than any other caller to your house.

 

But it is as well to find out what they want so that you can deal with it IMO.

[Peterbard]

Are you aware of these debts / possible debts? If you are, have you acknowledged them in writing or made any payment towards them in the past five years?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Most Certainly do NOT contact this person by phone ever, their sole aim is to extract payment under the guise of helping you 'settle' the ALLEGED Debt.

[Peterbard]

There is a problem with avoiding contact, as it may appear that you are intentionally trying to avoid the issue. If there is a debt, they need to prove that, and then you can work towards a solution; if it is a mistake, it also needs resolving.

[Peterbard]

Most Certainly do NOT contact this person by phone ever, their sole aim is to extract payment under the guise of helping you 'settle' the ALLEGED Debt.

 

This would be the ostrich debt avoidance measures I presume.

 

How on earth can you dispute the debt if you do not know which debt they are referring to. Yes their sole interest is to extract payment form you, helping you settle a legitimate debt is helping you, you are not going to stop that by avoiding them.

 

Not to say that you have to deal with it on your doorstep if you do not want to, but there is nothing wrong with telling them to use an alternative method of contact, and at least then you will know if it is a legitimate claim.

 

The other option as prescribed here is to not answer the phone or open your mail for the next six years.

 

Dodge

[IdaInFife]

This would be the ostrich debt avoidance measures I presume.

 

How on earth can you dispute the debt if you do not know which debt they are referring to. Yes their sole interest is to extract payment form you, helping you settle a legitimate debt is helping you, you are not going to stop that by avoiding them.

 

Not to say that you have to deal with it on your doorstep if you do not want to, but there is nothing wrong with telling them to use an alternative method of contact, and at least then you will know if it is a legitimate claim.

 

The other option as prescribed here is to not answer the phone or open your mail for the next six years.

 

Dodge

 

No this is not the Ostrich approach this the approach to keep everything in writing.

 

Never contact a DCA by phone unless you can record a call.

 

I would wait until they send you a letter with more details

[renegadeimp]

If they want to see what the debt is then it must be done in writing. One thing about scotcall, they dont chase valid debts.

 

Never EVER telephone them unless you have the ability to rwcord the call and are strong willed enough to call them out on everything they say.

[havinastella]

This would be the ostrich debt avoidance measures I presume.

 

How on earth can you dispute the debt if you do not know which debt they are referring to. Yes their sole interest is to extract payment form you, helping you settle a legitimate debt is helping you, you are not going to stop that by avoiding them.

 

Not to say that you have to deal with it on your doorstep if you do not want to, but there is nothing wrong with telling them to use an alternative method of contact, and at least then you will know if it is a legitimate claim.

 

The other option as prescribed here is to not answer the phone or open your mail for the next six years.

 

Dodge

 

So, because somebody posts a bit of paper through your door telling you that you owe money, you call that a legitimate debt. I'm sorry, but that is PATHETIC advise.

 

The OP in post 1 says ' some money I apparently know (I presume he means owe)'

 

WHY would anybody ring a debt collector and why would anyone advise him to ring a debt collecter with NO proof the OP owes anything.

[IdaInFife]

I have unapproved some posts that are not relevant to the op

 

No more of these posts will be tolerated.

[theuprightman]

Sorry but you've no obligation to call up a random stranger to discuss any potential debt that may be owed.

 

Couldn't give a stuff if you think it's burying your head in the sand or not. It's plain common sense.

[Peterbard]

If a phone call is to be made in order to be seen not to be a debt avoider, yes, ideally it should be recorded, and all one should say is, "A card was left through the door of No1 St Hiilary's Road, Blessim on Sea yesterday. If you have any information regarding the card, please put it in writing to the address. Goodbye"

 

Nothing more, nothing less - don't get drawn into conversation as, even if it is being recorded, it is hard to think on your feet - writing gives you evidence and time to think and research.

 

Edit: As someone new here, I have to comment on the link when you hover over 'head in the sand' - I like it lol!

[IdaInFife]

Pointless call as they will ask you to confirm your security details and you do not have a clue who you are speaking to.

 

And at 6 pence per minute at least to yourself, it is a cost i can do without.

 

If they really want you they will write to you with some substance as too what they want.

 

I get 3 emails every day supposdely from dhl saying they have a delivery to call them on 0845 etc are you saying i should call them?? Erm no its a con.

[Peterbard]

 

I get 3 emails every day supposdely from dhl saying they have a delivery to call them on 0845 etc are you saying i should call them?? Erm no its a con.

 

No, if you're getting 3 emails a day you know are from DCA's purporting to be DHL, I would be reporting them.

 

In terms of it being a pointless call, if recorded (it will show on your phone bill anyway), you at least have proof you are not ignoring. There is actually no harm in asking why they called if you're more confident, and establishing what the issue is. If they state it's a debt, as they will with it being Scotcall, then it's time to say everything in writing then please for the avoidance of doubt. You then have the backing of the OFT Debt Collection Guidelines on your side to back up your request and the tables are turned.

[renegadeimp]

Or just ignore scotcall, as they cannot and will not do anything apart from beg and plead.

[Peterbard]

Out of interest, what figure are we talking about from the old phone contracts Scot?

[Peterbard]

No this is not the Ostrich approach this the approach to keep everything in writing.

 

Never contact a DCA by phone unless you can record a call.

 

I would wait until they send you a letter with more details

 

I don;t think it would be pointless, if someone knocked on my door i would want to know why.

 

If they want security details and the OP does not want to give them to him over the phone he should say so, if he does not want him to call again he should say so.

 

The only way to resolve these matters is to communicate, it is sometimes difficult but from experience I have found that once it is done and out of the way you feel better, much better than worrying about the unknown knock at the door.

 

At any rate I wold want to know if the debt which I was accused of owing was legitimate.

 

I understand that talking to these people is sometimes difficult, and if this is the case here there are agencies that can make the call for you.

 

CAB or national debt-line are two that spring to mind

 

Dodge

[renegadeimp]

If they want security details and the OP does not want to give them to him over the phone he should say so,

 

Correct.

 

if he does not want him to call again he should say so.

 

yes, IN WRITING. Not over the phone where there is no evidence or written confirmation, especially to a random caller you have never talked to or do not know.

[Peterbard]

Yes, any call would be purely to make initial contact, NOT to get into any discussions. You would state there and then that you want communications only in writing and will not discuss the matter over the phone, as is your right under the OFT Debt Collection Guidelines. That would be it.

 

If they were to ignore, and keep phoning you, it could be construed as harassment and lead to this (a case from just a month ago):

 

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/882.html

 

It makes for good reading, and proves what can happen when you just keep repeating your position that you won't discuss things over the phone. If they ignore, they pay! However, you do have to answer the phone.

[Peterbard]

It depends on the situation, if the OP is convinced that these are not his debt, I would ring and identify the fact and insist I was removed form their call list, that may well just be an end to it.

 

If not then you can take it from there.

 

|Dodge

[renegadeimp]

Its far better to put it on writing. By phone they will ignore you or state that the person who answered didnt have authority to make any agreements. Weve seen it over and over which is why we say to get everything in writing.

[Peterbard]

In my experience they are usually suitably grateful to have the false lead recognized , they cannot make any money out of pursuing the wrong person of course.

 

As said previously, rightly or wrongly DCA embark on fishing expeditions when they do not have all the debtors details, they realize that they are going to get some false hits. You do yourself no favors by not informing them that you are one of them, the phone will just keep ringing and the letters will just keep coming.

 

Dodge