the nice people of Ruthbridge

[Wabnazm]

I moved house in mid Jan, and picked up mail from my old address last weekend to find three official looking letters from Ruthbridge Ltd. They said I owed Cabot Finance Europe £3k, who I had never heard of. The latest of the letters threated to make me bankrupt. Panic set in.

 

I made the mistake of calling them on the Monday to discover it was an account from many years ago that i had forgotten to tell them my new address, it had been sold on since. My last payment was in 2000, it defaulted in Feb '01. The charming Miss Jones from Ruthbridge told me a payment plan was unacceptable the full amount was the only way out. It was really frightening. Now panic really set in, as I tried to think of ways to come up with £3k in the three days she told me i had until i was declared bankrupt. All I had said was it sounds like it could be mine on the phone.

 

I spoke with a friend who works for the legal services commission and she calmed me down and told me there was help out there. I called the national debt help line the following day. They were brilliant, they took me through the whole thing and laid out my rights, and the fact that Ruthbridge were full of sh1t. They were not a bankrupcy agent like they claimed to be, they were merely a debt collector. they had not issued a statutory demand, so could not make me bankrupt. As i had not made made any contact or payment in more than 6 years it was unenforceable as it was statute barred. I cannot stress enough how good they were, and how much better they made me feel. their number is 0808 808 4000, it is free, confidential and you can call back any time.

 

I have since sent them a letter to say it is statute barred, and they cant chase me. I then discovered this website and the good people who contribute.

 

Thank you. All of you.

 

I have just sent a CCA to them to put them on the other side of the law in a month's time. Removing any leg they think they can stand on.

 

I know it is not over yet, as the b@stards have my number and they will call back. I know i need to be strong when i speak to them and I now know that they are just debt collectors and they are **** of the earth. They can't do any of the things they claim to be able to do. I know from this site that they don't even use their real names in their communications with me. Understandable, but still pathetic.

 

The advice I would give, is call the national debt helpline, they will go through your specific case with you. They know exactly whet they are talking about and it will calm you down. Knowing your rights is incredibly powerful. the DCA's rely on you not knowing them to get their way.

 

Secondly, read the advice given on this site, it will give you strength not only from what is being said, but also knowing that you are not alone, and there are things you can do. That really helps.

 

Thirdly, don't let 'em win. They are ****. All they are trying to do is frighten you into paying up when you don't necessarily have to. They are on commission, that is their job, how they sleep at night is another matter.

 

Part of me is looking forward to the next phone call, after i have specifically asked them in writing not to call me. I am thinking of suggesting that the only reason the charming Miss Jones is calling is because she must have a bit of the thing for me, and we should perhaps go for a drink. Another bit on me is dreading it.

[PriorityOne]

 

 

I know it is not over yet, as the b@stards have my number and they will call back. I know i need to be strong when i speak to them and I now know that they are just debt collectors and they are **** of the earth. They can't do any of the things they claim to be able to do. I know from this site that they don't even use their real names in their communications with me. Understandable, but still pathetic.

 

I am thinking of suggesting that the only reason the charming Miss Jones is calling is because she must have a bit of the thing for me, and we should perhaps go for a drink. Another bit on me is dreading it.

 

You are not obliged to talk to them at all. It is your home, your 'phone and they have absolutely no right to invade your privacy whenever they feel like it ! If you do pick up the 'phone and the charming Miss Jones is on the other end.... place the receiver next to the loo and flush it. Alternatively, just put the receiver down and let her get bored with the siilence... knowing that she is being charged for calling you.... ;-)

[Wabnazm]

I like the flushing the loo idea

[Wabnazm]

One thing I did forget to ask is.

 

Did I miss anything? Is there another action i can take to make sure i am in the right legally?

[rory32]

Wabnazm you seem to be in control now. I would however read this (statute barred is towards the end) http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collectors-debt-collection/84273-oft-debt-collection-guidance.html

Please feel free to report them to Trading Standards.

[Jeff2000]

Hello Wabnazm,

 

 

It would seem, from a number of threads that I have read about this particular company, that they "specialise" in obtaining accounts that are statute barred.

 

They do indeed therefore rely on the general public "ignorance" of their rights etc, and attempt to bully people into paying, or making repayment arrangements. These people then feel intimidated into paying something. This is of course understandable when threats of courts, bailiffs and bankruptcy are made.

 

It would now seem that you have seen the light, and are now in control of the situation. They will not like this, they want to be in total control.

 

Should you choose to speak to them on the phone again, I suspect that you will be looking forward to such a conversation a lot more than previously.

 

I will keep watching with interest.

 

 

Good luck, Jeff.

[Wabnazm]

I have just had a call from Ruthbridge, they left a message. they have received the CCA request and in it i have said i do not acknowledge the debt. she says they have a recording of me acknowleding the debt to one of her colleagues on the a couple of weeks ago over the phone. I dont think i acknowledged it, but i was very flustered at the time to say the least. I might have said it sounds like it could be me, but that's about it i think.

 

It is still more 6 years after the last payment or acknowledgement in writing made by me, so is it still statute barred? Have i screwed up, did i restart the clock? I am sure it will be bully boy tactics again, but need some assurance.

 

Is the answer to send them a letter asking for proof?

 

I have previously asked them to not contact me by phone, so I should add some bits about harrasment, and the OFT guide lines on calling.

 

Argh!!

[rory32]

You can't unstatute barr debt. If it's over 6 years since you last acknowledged it, you can now acknowledge it away to your hearts content. Remember it is now your decision whether you pay it on not.

 

I would write to them informing them that the debt is statute barred and you have no intention of paying it. Any future correspondence on the matter will be in breach of the OFT guidelines on debt collection and will also be considered as harrassment.

Should they wish to continue to pursue this statute barred debt the relevant authorities will be contacted and action taken against Ruthbridge.

[Wabnazm]

Thanks Rory.

 

New letter sent

[diskmandave]

As well as what's been posted above, a debt can only be acknowledged in writing and signed by the debtor as per the Limitation Act 1980. It cannot be voice re-activated!!