NCO Europe solicitor and an old orange debt

[Wintry]

Yup, it's brand new. Launched last month. I've not even done that one myself (just had the reminder!).

 

I wonder how many people who could really do with a DRO (and would meet the citeria based upon CFS) end up with DMPs or even (shudders) IVAs?

 

Hi

 

Think we both know the answer to those questions

 

We see a lot of people and some of the stuff is getting quite interesting - we are keeping a close check & list, oh yes, social policy stuff too!

 

Old allies and that:)

 

PS - do you need the CPD points?

 

My 'take'

Edited September 17, 2013 by Wintry

[dx100uk]

Summer 2011 when I started the Orange contract. It's just money I owe for the whole contract. They cut me off with about 12 months (at least) to go on the contract, and am just paying the contract off.

 

I think I was behind/owed 2 months worth of payments on the contract, before they cut me off.

 

Can't deal with Orange any more so kind of have to pay the DCA/Solicitors, right?

 

No idea what my CRA file says about it as I have already had the free trials on Equifax & Experian and can never seem to get accepted on Noddle

. I tried as recently as 2 weeks ago but it said my identify couldn't be verified?

 

they cut you off

so you couldn't use the service...oh dear

 

and then they expect you to PAY when you're barred......

 

don't think so orange.

 

so you've had the notice of assignment etc

 

and they've sold this to some fleecing dca

 

whom have sent you scary letters....

 

two words

 

off is the second one.

 

dx

[sequenci]

 

PS - do you need the CPD points?

 

 

Nope

[Wintry]

Nope

 

Hi

 

Lucky you:)

[sequenci]

Hi

 

Lucky you:)

 

Oh, I wouldn't say that. I've taken a different route, and it's killing me! And the new term starts next week! arrghh!

[Wintry]

Oh, I wouldn't say that. I've taken a different route, and it's killing me! And the new term starts next week! arrghh!

 

Hi

 

Well, best of luck on your quest:)

 

It will soon be a requirement in many agencies the way things are going (already is in some)

 

 

PS - given the content of this thread and questions by the O/P it might be an idea to start another thread just for information on expenditure allowances / trigger figures etc

 

Just a thought

[sequenci]

It's a good thing, and I know all money advisers worth their salt are keen to have some sort of formal accreditation. I'm looking forward to when the IMA introduce their other courses. I think it'll be really useful - and ultimately great for the public as they'll benefit from it all absolutely.

[Wintry]

It's a good thing, and I know all money advisers worth their salt are keen to have some sort of formal accreditation. I'm looking forward to when the IMA introduce their other courses. I think it'll be really useful - and ultimately great for the public as they'll benefit from it all absolutely.

 

Hi

 

The IMA accreditation is exactly that now really and is the one they all seem to be asking for and will be the benchmark in my opinion.

 

It is a worthwhile qualification and well run, they have done well and stole a march

 

My view

[Kikita]

they cut you off

so you couldn't use the service...oh dear

 

and then they expect you to PAY when you're barred......

 

don't think so orange.

 

so you've had the notice of assignment etc

 

and they've sold this to some fleecing dca

 

whom have sent you scary letters....

 

two words

 

off is the second one.

 

dx

 

I thought that at first,

that I was "paying for nothing" as I hadn't used the 12 months of contract I had left,

but couldn't they argue that I had a "free" phone off them via the contract, albeit a crappy one not worth much.

 

And would I not be liable to pay for the 12 months of contract I hadn't used, as I signed up for a 24 month contract?

 

And I've managed to get on Equifax and although there isn't much detail (not sure if this is the norm?) under the Orange account it says;

 

Current Balance: £19

Default / Delinquent Balance: £64

 

The £64 must be how I much I owed before they cut me off,

and added the rest of the contract on to the balance?

[dx100uk]

if the cra file says £64+£19 that's what you owe

not £250!!

 

so the 'chain of fleecers' have added their bit.

 

you've indicate you've spoken to orange?

and they've done their usual

sorry contact the DCA rubbish?

 

and its still got orange as the creditor/owner?

 

dx

[Kikita]

Yes. It says

 

Communications Supplier from Everythingeverywhere T/a Orange (I)

Date Updated: 25/03/2013

 

The £64+£19 rings a bell, but am I not liable to "pay off" the contract in full?

 

I haven't contacted Orange for a long time, but the last time I did they just said your account has been handed over to a DCA and I would have to deal with them. This was when Moorcroft had it though, and it's since been passed to NCO Europe then their solicitors, so very much doubtful Orange would talk to me now?

[dx100uk]

orange ALWAYS say you must comms with the DCA

that's their script.

 

fact is THEY still own the debt

you p'haps owe £80ish

 

is there a default date listed please

and when was this contract taken out

[sequenci]

if the cra file says £64+£19 that's what you owe

not £250!!

 

Incorrect. The CRA file is only as good as the information placed upon it, one should always check with the creditor as to the actual balance.

[2Grumpy]

It might be that the original debt was £64 of which £19 is left

 

Provided that the debt has not been sold then Orange would be very silly not to accept the money from you

 

Their T & Cs might say something about their right to use debt collectors but will say nothing about you actually having to engage with them

 

The original bill will include an element of time when they refused to provide the service (due to non-payment) in any case. That is effectively you paying for nothing.

 

If the £250 that the DCA is demanding includes the remainder of the contract, you will most likely find that Orange has not & will not invoice you for it. That should provide an indication of how valid that charge is. It could alternatively be the DCA trying to fleece you.

 

In any event, talk to Orange, find out what the balance is, decide who to pay, how much you should pay in total and make an offer of £1 per month telling them that is all that you can afford because you are on JSA. An I&E sheet is irrelevant because you are being paid the minimum that it is possible to exist on

 

Any solicitors letter will most likely have been printed by the DCA themselves.

[Kikita]

Orange would not confirm or deny anything. I asked the woman on the phone, I know it's been passed to a DCA but can you confirm the balance I owe? She said £19. I said "what, £19 and then that would clear the balance". She said "yes that is correct". I said it's because the DCA (solicitors) are saying I owe £250.

 

She then went all weird on me. Saying "oh there is a error on your file" trying to say that £19 must be wrong. She wouldn't even confirm the DCA I'm dealing with even though I told her. I asked her to confirm if the debt has been sold to the DCA or if they are collection on behalf of Orange. She would not say. Just kept saying "sir you'll have to deal with the DCA" to try and resolve this.

 

Very strange.

 

But I'm also 99% sure I owe more than £19. I'd guess I actually owe between 70-80 odd. (the rough amount before they disconnected me) and I've made some small token payments too. So maybe closer to 70 now.

 

The rest of the balance must be the remainder of the contract. (that I didn't use)

 

I guess this is enforceable, and you can't just argue "well I didn't recieve any minutes/texts for 12 months as I was disconnected and that would be paying for nothing" ?

[dx100uk]

well that's what the dca want you do do

 

'guess' they are right.

 

sadly I don't thinks so.

 

as orange have confirmed you owe £19

 

pay it to orange

 

and be done with it.

 

dx

[Kikita]

Thanks, but I'm sure it's definitely more than £19 I owe, AND they could make me pay the remainder of the contract off in full?

 

Why wouldn't they confirm/deny if they had sold the debt though? Is this common, or did I just get a unhelpful operator?

[dx100uk]

just go read a few orange thread here you'll get the idea.

 

that's their script.

 

quite honestly i'd love to see oranges logic in court that you owe anything passed say one more payment after they cut you off.

 

it a bit like saying

because you cant get a signal where you live

 

we'll still charge you.

 

dx

[Kikita]

I am keen to pay what I owe, but no more. Paying the remainder of the contract I didn't use seems a tad unfair and I will dispute this, but worried I have no legal standing to use that as an excuse.

 

Also concerned about the solicitor's letters (x2) letter before action, and letter before county court judgement warnings, they seem legit.

 

Debating whether to send for a Subject Access Request.

[dx100uk]

sar cant hurt.

 

is there a chance you can scan up the letters please

 

set your default scan page size to A4 less than 300DPI [150 will do]

scan the required letters/agreements/sheets - as a picture[jpg] file

don't forget you can use a mobile phone or a digital camera too!!

'

BUT......

ENSURE: remove all pers info inc. barcodes etc using paint program

but leave all monetary figures and dates.

*********************************************************

{DO NOT USE A BIRO OR PEN OR USE SEE THRU TAPE OR LABELS]

try www.pdfescape.com TO BLANK STUFF,

*************************************************************

or

DO IT IN MSPAINT.EXE or any photo editing program

goto one of the many free online pdf converter websites ...

http://freejpgtopdf.com/

..

if you have multiple scans/pics

put them in a word doc FIRST and convert that to PDF

or use www.pdfmerge.com

 

convert existing PC files to PDF [office has an installable print to PDF option]

..

 

it would be better to upload a multipage pdf if

you have many images too rather than many single pdfs

.

or if you have PDF as an installed printer drive use that

or use word and save as pdf

try and logically name your file so people know what it is.

though dont use full bank names or CAG in the title

i'e Default notice dd-mm-yyyy TSB

.

open a new msg box here

hit go advanced below the msg box

hit manage attachments below that box

hit the add files button on the top right

hit select files, navigate to your file on your pc

hit upload files

.

dx

[Kikita]

Sorry can't scan and have no access to camera of a high enough quality but can type them out later?

 

Orange confirmed to me that the £19 is "air-time balance" and the rest of the £250 "owed" is the remainder of the contract. I asked if it was enforceable as I didn't use the contract for number of months due to disconnection (for non-payment) and she said yes it is enforceable in court as I signed a contract for 24 months.

 

She has a point?

 

Searching around I guess it must be.

 

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120306131307AAYlUsy

 

Sucks that I have to pay for non-used contract, but I did sign the contract so I don't have a leg to stand on?

[dx100uk]

I would never believe anything write [esp as they are all one sided]

 

on yahoo

 

for all you know they could be employees

DCA employees or anyone.

 

I don't recall ever seeing any mention of

successful court cases like yours.

 

disconnected so you cant use it

then taken to court for the full term owed?

 

I wonder if disconnected equates to termination of the contract.

 

you're gonna have to dig around here or hope others join the thread.

 

dx

[fkofilee]

I would never believe anything write [esp as they are all one sided]

 

on yahoo

 

for all you know they could be employees

DCA employees or anyone.

 

I don't recall ever seeing any mention of

successful court cases like yours.

 

disconnected so you cant use it

then taken to court for the full term owed?

 

I wonder if disconnected equates to termination of the contract.

 

you're gonna have to dig around here or hope others join the thread.

 

dx

 

I believe that permanent disconnection and not just a barring is Termination of the contract.

Id be interested to see a statement from these guys.

 

From reading the thread, id say that the £250 maybe challenge-able... Like it has been said, SAR orange to see what they have and they also provide you with a statement.

 

Anyway if it does go to court... Like before, Being on JSA only the judge will hit them with a £1 / Month / Week / Whatever is appropriate to your circumstances , £1 a month out of JSA while your seeking employment is nothing (Although I know every penny counts on JSA )

[Kikita]

Also I've had it confirmed that the debt has not been sold, Orange still hold the debt/account. The DCA and sols are just collecting on behalf of Orange

 

Despite it going from Orange --- Moorcroft --- NCO Europe --- sols

 

They also claimed that some of the balance *may* be due to the fact I had a "free" phone, via the contract.

 

I think I will just concentrate on paying the £19, and worry about the rest later.

 

My credit file can't get any worse, so I'm not overly concerned about a CCJ,

 

although avoiding it would obviously be preferable.

 

If I'm still on JSA then £1 p/m and If I hopefully find employment then I should be able to pay the £250 via a payment plan, over a period of a few months time

 

...as much as I'd like to avoid paying money for services I didn't receive

Edited September 19, 2013 by Kikita

[dx100uk]

well if theres anything else you need help with

like the cra file just ask

 

dx