Capquest again!

[MarieG]

Hello

I have been reading a lot about Capquest and was wondering if anyone could help me please as I don't know what to do next.

I have been contacted by Capquest by phone at work only, no other form of communication has taken place. I tried calling them back (was off work ill and a colleague notified me) but because I would not confirm I was the person they were looking for they would not give me any information on who this so called debt was with and how much. I hung up the phone when all they kept saying was ' are you confirming you are Mrs XXXXXXXXX'.

Now after reading posts on here and elsewhere I have come to realise this company is not very nice and can make peoples lifes hell. I have done a credit check and all comes back clear so I really dont know what this so called debt is. I am really worried as I went through a difficult divorce and was left with thousands of pounds of debt by my ex-husband (my own fault being daft) but I have spent the last 9 years paying of the loan I had to pay these debts, a couple more years and it will all be done with.

The problem I have now is beings I have not admitted to being this person and had no other contact with this company AND as far as I can tell it has been way over 6 years. Do I write to them asking to only contact me by email (not giving them my home address and will use a new email address and then close it down once this matter has been sorted) or do I leave it and see how persistent they get with phoning my workplace. To date I have only had one phone call per week for two weeks?

If someone has any advice I would very much appreciate it as I am worried sick about all this and I have gone through all my documents for the last 10 years (thank goodness I still have them) and really cannot figure out what this so called debt could be.

MarieG

[bluebottle]

Re: Capquest again!

Debt collectors know it is a breach of OFT Debt Collection Guidelines to ring a person's place of work. I am attaching a copy of the OFT Guidelines for your information. It might be a good idea to tell your place of work to inform CapQuest that they will report them to the OFT Credit Fitness Team and Trading Standards if they continue to make calls to your place of work.

[teaboy2]

Re: Capquest again!

Did they inform your colleague why they were trying to contact you? Did they state their company name to your colleague? What reason did they give your colleague for their calling you?

I ask as they may have acted in breach of the data protection act by revealing any information that would enable a reasonable person to know they were chasing you for a debt. Such as revealing their company name which could easily be searched on google to reveal that they are debt collectors!

Calling you at work, is prohibited by the OFT debt collection guidelines.

One thing that concerns me is how they found out where you worked, they may have found this from calling neighbours or family members etc. Or even by questionable underhand tactics!

[MarieG]

Re: Capquest again!

Thank You both for your advice.

I don't know how they got my place of work because I have had no other contact with them or any other company asking for a debt
payment.

They informed my colleague that were from Capquest but the second time they phoned my colleague could not understand them so said 'no one of that name works here'. The colleague said to me if they can't even pronounce the name right she can't be bothered with them, but that is only one of many colleagues I work with. I will be having a talk with my manager to let him know about this and ask his advice regarding what to do at work and also inform him of OFT.

No family, friends etc have said they have been contacted by anyone asking about me so I really don't know where they got my workplace phone number from.

I was going to email them and tell them any communication had to be done through emails only, but I will see what my manager says first. I do need them to stop calling my place of work!

Thank you both again for your very helpful advice as I did not know this information.

MarieG x

[madmanc]

Re: Capquest again!

Capquest have somehow gotten hold of my mobile number, though I have given it out only to job sites and friends. On the fourth occasion I Googled 'call barring android app' and downloaded an app called "Blocker". Basically it recognises the number to be blocked by intercepting the call or SMS or MMM and reply in similar fashion say "Sorry I'm not available, please call back later", (you can say what you wish :thumb but stops the messages option so gives them no chance of pressurising you. Peaceful bliss.

p.s. it's free too!

Dave

[MarieG]

Re: Capquest again!

Thanks Dave, I'll keep this handy but up to yet they have not contacted me by mobile phone only at work, suppose it will be coming though!

Marie:tinysmile_grin_t:

[bluebottle]

Re: Capquest again!

CapQuest have a history of getting hold of people's contact telephone numbers, including ex-directory. This can land them in the brown and smelly stuff as the ICO can ask them where and from whom they obtained an ex-directory number. My number is ex-directory due to my being a retired policeman, though that doesn't stop some companies ringing up, making fantastic excuses and then getting off the line quickly when I point out it is ex-directory and they are in breach of Protection and Privacy of Communications Regulations.

[madmanc]

Re: Capquest again!

Well now, the Blocker app has been working overtime (see screen shots off my phone). Don't you just love technology when it's turned against the opposing forces!



As you can see, their last call from their automated system was at 10pm last night. In all 26 calls. Additionally they've tried to bypass my blocker by using a mobile. That didn't work either and that number is now on my phone's Black List too.

Further to my earlier comments and MarieG's need for privacy at work, I've located a number of vendors of blocking devices, some simple for home use which may work if she has her own direct line, and more sophisticated (read more expensive) devices with number i.d and logging capabilities. The ebay link is as follows:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_tr...at=0&_from=R40

Facts are that paying for such a device is a whole lot cheaper than looking for work. :tinysmile_cry_t:

These computer driven phone call generators are very crude and easily understood. The number of the victim is entered and, after inputting times that are unlikely to produce results, the machine uses all other times to blitz that number until it has to go to the next victim's number. If it makes contact then it immediately opens a line to a bank of free phone lines for the vultures on duty to respond.
The anti-pest technology available (mostly American) intercepts the computer's call by answering and blocks any further contact by sending an engaged signal to the computer, just like a party line!

I guess a lifetime in scientific instrument sales does come in handy after all ........:tinysmile_grin_t:

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY!

Dave

[madmanc]

Re: Capquest again!

Thanks Alsatian!

Dave

[miliitant]

Re: Capquest again!

The amount of text messages you are receiveing can be classed as oppressive in nature and you have the proof

do not delete as

fergusson v british gas comes to mind

[bluebottle]

Re: Capquest again!

The amount of text messages you are receiveing can be classed as oppressive in nature and you have the proof

do not deleate as

fergusson v british gas comes to mind

These are exactly my same thoughts, Miliitant. The frequency and number of calls may well amount to individual offences under Section 127, Communications Act 2003 (Misuse of A Public Electronic Telecommunications Network) as well as prime candidates for action using Ferguson -v- British Gas Trading Limited 2009 as a basis for a potential claim against them. CapQuest are regular offenders and a thoroughly nasty lot. One thing they don't like is having the law quoted to them. I can remember writing one of my cold and clinical letters for an LB member who was having problems with CapQuest and the member's partner read out passages from it over the phone to a CapQuest employee who rang. From what I can remember, it sounds like it made the CapQuest employee do something in her knickers! They haven't heard from CapQuest since.

[madmanc]

Re: Capquest again!

Bluebottle and Miliitant thanks to you both. Current log is 440 calls.

Dave

[bluebottle]

Re: Capquest again!

Over how long a period of time?

[Hurricane Puffrose]

Re: Capquest again!

bumped