Ecollect

[Louise128]

Hi I would like to hear from anyone dealing with e collect. The said I owed 49 euro to an online site. Now they are charged me 100 a month for every month I do not pay. It’s ridiculous. But scary. They are sending these from Germany. I’m in Ireland. Please contact if you’ve any advice. People seem to be getting messages 4/5 years later

[PallasAthena]

eCollect is a debt collector based in Switzerland and are well known to us. Search for ecollect in the search box on this forum and read some of the other threads about them and the advice given on those threads. They employ a Gereman law firm called Themys & Dyke to follow up and make various legal threats to try to collect old (alleged) debts. We have not seen any case on here that has actually gone to court.

In the UK a debt collector (nor any lawyers they employ) cannot take anyone to court UNLESS they have bought the debt from the original creditor. I don't know whether eCollect buy debts but if they do the person who they claims owes the debt should be formally notified of it, under UK law at least. Otherwise only the original creditor could take court action.

Please note that as this is a UK legal advice site the advice on threads you find on here relates to UK law and court procedures. You are in the Republic of Ireland and I don't know if Irish law is different, or whether RoI being in the EU makes a difference to how cross-border debts within the EU can be enforced.

[Louise128]

Thank you so much for that response. It is reassuring and I think honestly that the original site creditor has got them to work on their behalf. I don’t think they actually bought the debt. I revisited the site that said I owed them 49 € and it says I can only be reactivated when ecollect tells them I’ve paid. This surely suggests that they use ecollect as a bullying tactic and then if they have no joy the other company steps in.

[CharlotteF]

Don't be scared! Here's what you can do:

• Contact E Collect: Dispute the debt and request written verification from the original creditor (online site).
• Irish Consumer Helpline: Get free advice at Citizens Information. They can guide you on your rights and next steps.
• Ignore Irrelevant Threats: E Collect likely can't take legal action in Ireland for small debts. Don't engage with scare tactics.

Remember: Don't pay unless you're sure the debt is valid.