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Hello Everyone
In February 2017 I was contacted by debt collection agency "Debt Managers (Services) Ltd" regarding a debt of £149.50 apparently stemming from a Next Directory credit account. I knew this was not my debt, as I've never had any such agreement/credit with Next or anywhere else for that matter. After seeking advice online I responded with the usual "prove It" letter and (after they asked my about a "Birch Close" I've never heard of) another stating unequivocally that I'm not the person they're looking for and have no knowledge of this debt or the address they mentioned. In the last correspondence I got from them they seemingly backed down, stating "I can confirm we have taken on board your comments that you have no knowledge or connection to an address on Birch Close and your address has been removed from our file, you will receive no further correspondence from Debt Managers (Services) Ltd with regards to this matter." I thought that was the end of it, and for over a year it was.
That brings us to today, when I received a letter from Restons Solicitors claiming they are instructed by Debt Managers (Services) Ltd. to seek payment for the very same Next Directory debt. The letter states that I have until the May 29th to pay in full or they will issue a County Court claim against me. The letter is accompanied by a financial statement form and a lengthy reply form (which includes the option to "Dispute the debt"). Obviously I'm reluctant to respond using their own forms, and don't see why I should give them any financial info.
So I guess I'm looking for help and guidance on how to respond. It would seem Debt Managers are going back on what they said before about not bothering me again, albeit through a solicitor this time. Last time I called their bluff and asked them to prove I owed the debt (which they presumably couldn't, not surprising since it isn't mine), can I do the same sort of thing again? Should I use their own form to reply, or am I right in thinking that's not a good idea? At the moment my plan is just to write back explaining the situation, pointing out that DM previously seem to have acknowledged that I'm not the person they're looking for, and once again reiterating that the debt isn't mine. Is that the right tack, and if so are there any specific phrases or whatnot that I ought to use?
Thanks for any help you can give me! - Doug
In February 2017 I was contacted by debt collection agency "Debt Managers (Services) Ltd" regarding a debt of £149.50 apparently stemming from a Next Directory credit account. I knew this was not my debt, as I've never had any such agreement/credit with Next or anywhere else for that matter. After seeking advice online I responded with the usual "prove It" letter and (after they asked my about a "Birch Close" I've never heard of) another stating unequivocally that I'm not the person they're looking for and have no knowledge of this debt or the address they mentioned. In the last correspondence I got from them they seemingly backed down, stating "I can confirm we have taken on board your comments that you have no knowledge or connection to an address on Birch Close and your address has been removed from our file, you will receive no further correspondence from Debt Managers (Services) Ltd with regards to this matter." I thought that was the end of it, and for over a year it was.
That brings us to today, when I received a letter from Restons Solicitors claiming they are instructed by Debt Managers (Services) Ltd. to seek payment for the very same Next Directory debt. The letter states that I have until the May 29th to pay in full or they will issue a County Court claim against me. The letter is accompanied by a financial statement form and a lengthy reply form (which includes the option to "Dispute the debt"). Obviously I'm reluctant to respond using their own forms, and don't see why I should give them any financial info.
So I guess I'm looking for help and guidance on how to respond. It would seem Debt Managers are going back on what they said before about not bothering me again, albeit through a solicitor this time. Last time I called their bluff and asked them to prove I owed the debt (which they presumably couldn't, not surprising since it isn't mine), can I do the same sort of thing again? Should I use their own form to reply, or am I right in thinking that's not a good idea? At the moment my plan is just to write back explaining the situation, pointing out that DM previously seem to have acknowledged that I'm not the person they're looking for, and once again reiterating that the debt isn't mine. Is that the right tack, and if so are there any specific phrases or whatnot that I ought to use?
Thanks for any help you can give me! - Doug
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