1st Credit chasing a 10yo Simply Be catalog disputed debt

[Hentooth]

Hi,

 

Almost 10 years ago my wife had a Simply Be catalog, which she ran happily for a while, but she sent for some boots which arrived damaged so she sent them back, using their collection service.

 

The £45 boots where never credited to her account so we quite naturally refused to pay for them. After arguing with them for ages and their "admin fees" pushing the bill over £100, we suggested they sue is for the money.

 

Since then 1st Credit have been hounding us, even after 2 address changes, thr amount is £182 now.

 

About 2 years ago they sent a bloke to our door, who I "escorted from the property" and told him that chasing a debt that old is illegal and if he had any problems to take it to court.

 

We are now getting a letter a week and I've just emailed them to politely say that they can P off and that if one of thier operatives knocks on my door it won't be my fault if my dogs bite him while he is in mid air.

 

What can I do to get rid of this bunch of idiots, any ideas would be greatly welcomed.

[yubnub]

From what you have said the "alleged" debt is Statute Barred.

 

Let them waste their time and money on trying to chase it.

 

Someone else maybe able to offer some more constructive advice on channels to stop them contacting you - though DCA's seem to be a law onto themselves. main thing is dont let the buggers grind you down

[harrassed senior]

Hi and welcome - you need to report this to the OFT and Trading Standards. You could also send the Statute Barred Letter from our Templates' Library. Once you write them this letter it is not legal for them to contact you any further on this matter.

[lickthewallfatboy]

worst crud are a right bunch of aerosols

[cerberusalert]

Send Cretins this; http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/599-letter-sent-when-debt-is-statute-barred

[Hentooth]

Cheers guys, I just printed a statute barred and it'll be winging it's way to the lovely people at 1st Credit.

 

I also made a small donation to CAG, which I'll do every time I use it

[postggj]

send recorded

 

worth its weight in gold

[Hentooth]

An update, I have sent the letter via 1st class recorded, but thought I'd have a little dig around.

 

I called JD Williams who are the creditor listed on the letters and they could find no record of the debt at either our current or previous addresses, so gave me a number for the Simply Be debt department, who ALSO have no record (Not surprising, the original default was filed Sept 1999, dug out all the original docs and letters I sent them).

 

I also got the distinct impression that there was a "not another one" going on, the various people I spoke to wouldn't say yes or no as to if they use 1st Credit or not, but would only say they use "various" DCA's.

 

I did ask for a CCA to be posted, but they can't because there isn't one of file for us....!!!!!

 

OFT Next stop

[cerberusalert]

They wouldn't be able to provide a copy of the CCA even if they had a record of your a/c, simply because during that period written agreements were never entered into.