Money being demanded for a magazine subscription debt that was given to me as gift

[Rharms88]

Hi, I'm new here so apologise if I'm in the wrong thread etc.

A year ago my dad bought me a 12 month magazine subscription for my birthday. I've received the magazines and not disputing that however I never signed up to anything, the magazines just arrived at my house every month as I'd been told to expect by my dad. Over the past year there's been a bit of a family feud and I'm no longer in contact with my father. Last month I received a letter from the magazine subscription company to say that I owed them £70 for the magazines as the direct debit had been cancelled and money had been reclaimed by my bank. I explained the situation and they flatly refused to listen to anything I said. They told me that as they account is in my name and I was receiving the magazines then I had to pay them. I refused and said the would need to contact my dad, I have no contact details for him other than an old mobile number but surely they had his details from when he took out the gift subscription. I didn't hear anymore and assumed they'd got in contact with him.

Today I received a letter from a debt collection agency saying I needed to pay £150 within 14 days to avoid legal action. I called them to explain and again was told the debt is mine as the account is in my name. I don't understand how I can possibly be asked to pay for something I didn't sign up for? I didn't cancel the direct debit or reclaim the money. I know my next door neighbours name and address, I couldn't just sign him up for this and lumber him with debt surely?

What can I do? I am worried this will be put on my credit file which I've worked hard to make sure was perfect.

[Amethyst]

Re: Money being demanded for a magazine subscription debt that was given to me as gif

Have you checked your credit file? May be worth doing - there shouldn't be anything on there as it shouldn't be a consumer credit agreement, just a subscription, but best to check.

Did you make your complaint to the magazine company in writing or just on the phone? We always recommend putting everything in writing so you have a papertrail if the debt collection firm should try and take it further.

You now need to write to the Debt Collection company ( who are they btw?) and the Magazine subscription firm laying out your position, and requesting copies of any agreement. Can you name the company so we can have a mooch at their sign up process and terms.

It sounds like your Dad has decided it's a good idea to tell the bank that the Direct Debit was set up without authorisation and they have reclaimed the payment from the magazine company. Nice of him. But by the by now. I completely agree with you it would be an insane state of affairs if you could buy someone a gift and have them end up with a debt because of it.

Presumably the sub has been cancelled now?

[MIKE770]

Re: Money being demanded for a magazine subscription debt that was given to me as gif

you did not order the subscription therefore are not liable as the person who ordered it, Debt collectors are only after conmmssions and not worried how they lie to get you to pay up, the dirty trade, wonder some of them phone jockeys have not been taught a lesson, some countries they would of and their owners held to responsible action against. that is the real world not the cotton wool gloves this country has/