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Whilst in a declining sole trade business this time last year, I inadvertently cancelled a Vodafone contract just under two months early because I genuinely thought it had ended and I was keen to go over to PAYG as I could no longer afford the contractual amount each month.
Obviously Vodafone contacted me and hit me with a bill, which because of circumstances I ignored at first then wrote to them advising them of my sole trade status and the declining 'health' of the business. They (vodafone) were nice at first and acknowledged the difficult trading environment (which astonished me at the time) and I heard nothing (and I mean nothing) from them for almost six month.
Then one phone call from Sigma Red Ltd followed by the usual swath of rabid dog, 'we bought the debt so now its you vs us' letters. Here we go again. The next day a letter from Vodafone contained the sale of the debt letter and details of SRL as new debt owners.
On the advice of a friend, I sent a Section 10 Data Protection Act request to stop the phone calls (at one point up to five a day) which it seems to have done and once again stated my case regarding the lack of funds to pay the alleged debt (i have now had to close the business down) and sent them a budget plan to show how dire the situation actually is.
They ignored it all and sent me five letters in ten days going from 'please pay in instalments' to 'final demand' to 'notice of pending litigation'. They all look like template letters with standard content but my question is this. I have never come across Sigma Red Ltd and wonder how much of a player they are? The debt is a little over £400 but they do now own it and seem to have gotten VERY aggressive VERY quickly.
Any views on the DCA or views from other members with experiences of their tactics. Or has anyone got any ideas on how I can proceed?
Im not trying to avoid the debt but really don't have a spare £1 to throw at it at the moment as I am fully committed paying back other creditors from the business closure.
Thank you
B
Obviously Vodafone contacted me and hit me with a bill, which because of circumstances I ignored at first then wrote to them advising them of my sole trade status and the declining 'health' of the business. They (vodafone) were nice at first and acknowledged the difficult trading environment (which astonished me at the time) and I heard nothing (and I mean nothing) from them for almost six month.
Then one phone call from Sigma Red Ltd followed by the usual swath of rabid dog, 'we bought the debt so now its you vs us' letters. Here we go again. The next day a letter from Vodafone contained the sale of the debt letter and details of SRL as new debt owners.
On the advice of a friend, I sent a Section 10 Data Protection Act request to stop the phone calls (at one point up to five a day) which it seems to have done and once again stated my case regarding the lack of funds to pay the alleged debt (i have now had to close the business down) and sent them a budget plan to show how dire the situation actually is.
They ignored it all and sent me five letters in ten days going from 'please pay in instalments' to 'final demand' to 'notice of pending litigation'. They all look like template letters with standard content but my question is this. I have never come across Sigma Red Ltd and wonder how much of a player they are? The debt is a little over £400 but they do now own it and seem to have gotten VERY aggressive VERY quickly.
Any views on the DCA or views from other members with experiences of their tactics. Or has anyone got any ideas on how I can proceed?
Im not trying to avoid the debt but really don't have a spare £1 to throw at it at the moment as I am fully committed paying back other creditors from the business closure.
Thank you
B
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