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So a couple of weeks back I received an innocuous phishing letter from these "people" trying to track me down for a debt.
As ever all the letter had on it was an agreement number and amount with the normal "call us" tag line.
So I gave them a call as any debts I do have outstanding are well and truly Statute Barred.
Luckily I ended up with Brain of Britain who insisted that Limitations didn't apply and that they could pursue any debt for TWENTY years. He did identify an address I lived at almost 10 years ago, but for a company I had never heard of.
So cut to the weekend and on my return from The Pool I found this on my doormat:
Bolds are theirs.
So as ever nowt to ident the debt and even more cobblers than normal.
So do I call or play with them a bit.
Hmmmm choices to make, so off goes this:
So the clock is ticking and I can feel some fun coming on with this one 
As ever all the letter had on it was an agreement number and amount with the normal "call us" tag line.
So I gave them a call as any debts I do have outstanding are well and truly Statute Barred.
Luckily I ended up with Brain of Britain who insisted that Limitations didn't apply and that they could pursue any debt for TWENTY years. He did identify an address I lived at almost 10 years ago, but for a company I had never heard of.
So cut to the weekend and on my return from The Pool I found this on my doormat:
Dear Sir,
Re: Account Number: Meaningless numbers
Outstanding Balance £Some
We refer to your above referenced account.
Our records indicate that you have established contact with us and, we are grateful for that. Our ail is to resolve this outstanding balance.
We can do this by offering you a significant discount on the balance of £Some, or by allowing you to repay the balance by monthly instalments.
If it suits you to pay a discounted amount over 6 months, then we would be happy to listen to your proposal. There are many options open to you, and it is important that we can discuss these with you.
Our offices are manned by trained personnel who are there to help you. Please note our above opening hours. We can take calls during the evening, if that suits you best. There is a freephone number, so your call will cost nothing.
You need to understand that we will telephone you regularly to try to arrange payment. Please do not ignore this letter as your debt needs to be cleared.
Finally, you should know that this balance is registered as outstanding on your Credit File, but once you commence payments with us, we will amend your record to show that the balance is being reduced. Once any agreed balance is settled, we will mark your Credit File as "satisfied". That will be of benefit to you.
Please contact as soon as possible !
Yours faithfully
Threat-O-Matic 9000
Re: Account Number: Meaningless numbers
Outstanding Balance £Some
We refer to your above referenced account.
Our records indicate that you have established contact with us and, we are grateful for that. Our ail is to resolve this outstanding balance.
We can do this by offering you a significant discount on the balance of £Some, or by allowing you to repay the balance by monthly instalments.
If it suits you to pay a discounted amount over 6 months, then we would be happy to listen to your proposal. There are many options open to you, and it is important that we can discuss these with you.
Our offices are manned by trained personnel who are there to help you. Please note our above opening hours. We can take calls during the evening, if that suits you best. There is a freephone number, so your call will cost nothing.
You need to understand that we will telephone you regularly to try to arrange payment. Please do not ignore this letter as your debt needs to be cleared.
Finally, you should know that this balance is registered as outstanding on your Credit File, but once you commence payments with us, we will amend your record to show that the balance is being reduced. Once any agreed balance is settled, we will mark your Credit File as "satisfied". That will be of benefit to you.
Please contact as soon as possible !
Yours faithfully
Threat-O-Matic 9000
So as ever nowt to ident the debt and even more cobblers than normal.
So do I call or play with them a bit.
Hmmmm choices to make, so off goes this:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Re. Reference number: some Aktiv Number
I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd November, the contents of which are noted.
Despite making contact with yourselves and requesting that you substantiate your claim, you have chosen to respond with further demands for payment.
I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to any company.
I am familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.
I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.
I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.
I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions. I expect a response within FOURTEEN (14) days of the date of this letter.
I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Your Worset Knightmare
Re. Reference number: some Aktiv Number
I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd November, the contents of which are noted.
Despite making contact with yourselves and requesting that you substantiate your claim, you have chosen to respond with further demands for payment.
I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to any company.
I am familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.
I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.
I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.
I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions. I expect a response within FOURTEEN (14) days of the date of this letter.
I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Your Worset Knightmare
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