Threatening letters from "debt collections" company

[AD-15]

Hello,

A few weeks ago we (again) started to receive letters from a debt collections group called "Arvato Finance Services", stating that we owed approximately £100 regarding a "EUPHONY" (EU-phony?) account. Having never heard of such a company, let alone having had any dealings with them, we ignored the letter. That, and the fact that the same company sent identical letters over a year ago (but that time they did not persist).

However, this time they continued to send letters, eventually threatening legal action. We today received a letter from "HL Legal and Collections", stating they would elevate the matter to the "Country Court" if the money wasn't paid. ]

I did consider phoning one of the numbers included in their letters, but was afraid that if it did turn out to be a scam, I'd end up paying up in telephone bills from calling a costly fraudulent number.

I've looked up the HL Legal group on google, and found a number. I'll probably call them tommorow to find out if this is indeed a legitimate request. However, I would appreciate any advice you guys might have on the matter. I'm guessing simply ignoring this might not be the best approach.

[jim]

I would be inclined to send back a letter politely informing them that you don't owe that company any money, and it must be someone else. At least that will only cost a few pence.

If they continue from there, then it's time to elevate it. But on the off-chance a simple letter might do the trick, I'd go for that option initially.

If that HL company is genuine and legitimate, then phoning them is probably a good idea... if they know nothing about it, and the mention of "Country Court" suggests to me that they won't, then you can be fairly confident that it's a scam and take it up with relevant authorities.

[jackvdbuk]

is it in your name? or someone elses?

it could be some debt owed to a company under a alias or different name?

definitely dont ignore it, if it turns out to be true, its a PITA to rectify!

[shelley bda]

Give googling the company a go, you never know it may throw up something interesting

[AD-15]

Thanks for your replies guys.

The name is indeed correct.

I will try and get into contact with them, see what's what.

if they know nothing about it, and the mention of "Country Court" suggests to me that they won't,

Sorry, that was a typo. Meant to say "County Court".

[CaptainCrash]

I did consider phoning one of the numbers included in their letters, but was afraid that if it did turn out to be a scam, I'd end up paying up in telephone bills from calling a costly fraudulent number.

I've looked up the HL Legal group on google, and found a number. I'll probably call them tommorow to find out if this is indeed a legitimate request. However, I would appreciate any advice you guys might have on the matter. I'm guessing simply ignoring this might not be the best approach.

It's a good rule of thumb not to deal with DCAs over the telephone - make sure everything's in writing, and send all your own correspondence by recorded delivery.

Just write to them (recorded delivery) stating that you dispute their claim, and that you require copies of all relevant documentation in accordance with your statutory rights under sections 77(1) and 78(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You need to enclose a £1 fee, but state that this is solely for the purpose of covering the chargeable administrative costs, and may not be used as part payment towards any supposed debt.

You might want to take a look at Consumer Action Group forums, they have loads of info on this sort of thing, and also some useful letter templates (you need to register to access these).

[jim]

Thanks for your replies guys.

The name is indeed correct.

I will try and get into contact with them, see what's what.



Sorry, that was a typo. Meant to say "County Court".

Fair enough

I thought you'd put the speech marks to highlight the mistake!

[Agent]

http://forums.hexus.net/shopping-ret...ollection.html

I think my templates are in there somewhere

[Barakka]

Hello,

A few weeks ago we (again) started to receive letters from a debt collections group called "Arvato Finance Services", stating that we owed approximately £100 regarding a "EUPHONY" (EU-phony?) account. Having never heard of such a company, let alone having had any dealings with them, we ignored the letter. That, and the fact that the same company sent identical letters over a year ago (but that time they did not persist).

However, this time they continued to send letters, eventually threatening legal action. We today received a letter from "HL Legal and Collections", stating they would elevate the matter to the "Country Court" if the money wasn't paid. ]

I did consider phoning one of the numbers included in their letters, but was afraid that if it did turn out to be a scam, I'd end up paying up in telephone bills from calling a costly fraudulent number.

I've looked up the HL Legal group on google, and found a number. I'll probably call them tommorow to find out if this is indeed a legitimate request. However, I would appreciate any advice you guys might have on the matter. I'm guessing simply ignoring this might not be the best approach.

Firstly Euphony is a utilities company providing telecoms, phone lines, gas, electricity etc... they may have been providing this to a third party that you were paying to, can you think of any utility type bills you may have outstanding or overlooked ? at this address, or any previous ? even joint responsibility ie shared accommodation ?

Secondly they have pushed it out to a DCA which you have subsequently ignored and they have then decided to send this to legal action.

Writing to the DCA and requesting copies etc is usually pointless, and it's passed that anyway, the matter is now with a Solicitor.

I have a LOT of knowledge in this area, as above, firstly do you know what the debt is ?

[Saracen]

I haven't read all the answers yet, so this may have been said.

My view is this :-

1) Don't ring them, do it by letter, and keep copies. If you do ring them, make careful notes of who you spoke to, precisely when and what was said. Then confirm it by letter.

2) Where a debt is owed, pay it qas soon as possible, especially if a DCA is involved. If you accept part but not all, pay the part you accept and, in writing, dispute the rest.

3) If you ignore a letter from a DCA, all that is likely to happen is that it gets worse. But they do not (unlike court bailiffs) have a right to enter your property or seize goods, certainly not without a court order, so don't let any debt collectors knocking on the door in.

4) If you get a letter about a debt you know nothing about, it begs the question of where they got your name and address for in relation to this debt. It could be an administrative cockup by the DCA, but it could also be a problem with your credit record. That could be a cockup by the credit reference agency, but it could also be ID theft, etc. So check your credit record with the three agencies. Make sure details are correct, and that so are any financial associations listed.

5) If you don't owe the debt, dispute it. There are many sites on the net with sample letters, but essentially, you're saying you don't recognise or accept that the debt is owed so please provide proof that it is. If they do provide proof, it may be that you forgot something, or that a company has changed name, or it may be that it points out where the problem lies and gives you an avenue to tackle it.

6) Once you've disputed it, if you get ignored, there are both codes of practice DCA are supposed to follow, and there is legislation that they have to follow. If they breach either, complain to Trading Standards if they continue to pester you over a debt you don't owe.


In all of this, and it can be extremely irritating and frustrating, bear in mind that DCA's are also used to people that do owe debts trying everything they can to get out of them, including saying that they don't owe the debt. So, keep your cool, however angry you feel like getting if they persist. Do it the right way, follow the guidance available online, do everything either by letter or at least by confirming by letter, and if the DCA's don't play by the rules, complain about them.

But do not just ignore the letters.

[CaptainCrash]

Secondly they have pushed it out to a DCA which you have subsequently ignored and they have then decided to send this to legal action.

Writing to the DCA and requesting copies etc is usually pointless, and it's passed that anyway, the matter is now with a Solicitor.

I have a LOT of knowledge in this area, as above, firstly do you know what the debt is ?

What on earth are you talking about? If the OP states that the debt is disputed, and DCA fails to provide the requested information to which he's entitled by statute, then the supposed debt *cannot* be enforced. I suppose they could take it to court regardless, but they'll get a very dusty reception from the judge.

Whether or not HL Legal are "solicitors" is completely immaterial.

[Chris P]

AD-15

Deny you owe the money, Iand ask them to prove to you that you do in fact owe this money. I'm pretty sure it is up to "them" to prove to you the money is owed not for you to prove it isn't.

Best Regards

[Domestic_Ginger]

Find out exactly what the money if ofr would be my advice. If they can't tell you that then something is definately amiss. It might Jog your memory if not. i know I have no idea where my money goes!

[directhex]

I had letters sent to my address with someone else's name on. First time I put it back in the mail with "not known at this address" stuck to the front. A second letter turned up, so I wrote "mauled to death by bears" instead, and popped it back in the post. Never had a third one.

[finlay666]

I had letters sent to my address with someone else's name on. First time I put it back in the mail with "not known at this address" stuck to the front. A second letter turned up, so I wrote "mauled to death by bears" instead, and popped it back in the post. Never had a third one.

I'm goign to remember that next time

[Barakka]

What on earth are you talking about? If the OP states that the debt is disputed, and DCA fails to provide the requested information to which he's entitled by statute, then the supposed debt *cannot* be enforced.

The OP has stated that they have not disputed the debt with the DCA when they made contact and has ignored multiple letters to contact and give opportunity to dispute. The fact that HL Legal are a Solicitors firm would indicate that the client of the DCA has instructed the DCA to forward the case for legal action. The OP has only stated that the company quoted is not known to them, however this does not mean that the debt is incorrect. If the client is happy that the debt is enforcable and that the debtor is located at the premises they are quite within their rights to take this matter to court for enforcement.

I suppose they could take it to court regardless, but they'll get a very dusty reception from the judge.

I'm not sure why you think a judge would give a dusty reception to a case where the client has made multiple attempts to contact the debtor, giving ample opportunity to query the debt, which have all been ignored.

Whether or not HL Legal are "solicitors" is completely immaterial.

Quite the opposite, this shows what stage of the process this case is at and what decisions have (potentially) been made by the debt owner and the DCA.