Wescot Debt Collectors

[cw07]

Can anyone offer some advice? I just went online to pay £50 to Wescot debt collectors when I stumbled across some threads about the company being a scam. I have paid them £50 a month after they tried to contact me (but instead spoke to my mother as I lived away from home). She set up the debit amount with them and we have been paying them for over a year. I have no idea how much I actually owe or what for; but knowing I did owe a bit on credit cards, I trusted they had told my Mum the truth and were helping me to pay what I owed.
After seeing these threads, I'm wondering whether I do actually owe what they say I owe or whether I have been paying money for no reason. What should be my next step?

Thanks in advance!

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Wescot Debt Collectors

Welcome to LB

Wescot are debt purchasers and debt collectors, as such some of their practices may not be the best, but, as far as I can tell, they are a legitimate company. :ohwell: What makes you say they 'are a scam'? :noidea:

Regardless of the above, it's always good to know why you are paying someone £50/month. :thumb:

You have the right to request information from creditors under both the Consumer Credit Act and the Data Protection Act (DPA).

You can send a CCA request under s.77/79 of the CCA 1974 to get a copy of your credit agreement. Wescot would have to go back to the original creditor to obtain this, but at least you'll know what it's for. As you've been making payments, I wouldn't suggest a prove-it letter. As part of their response, they should also supply you with a statement of account. A CCA request will cost you £1 plus postage.

If the above is not enough, you can also send a SAR which is a request under the Data Protection Act. This should produce statements of account. If you send it to Wescot, you can only expect to get them from the time they were assigned the account, but this is what you seem to be looking for. A SAR will set you back £10 + postage.