Mr. Kipling vs Metropolitan

[Mr. Kipling]

So, I've just got a letter demanding payment on a disputed overdraft with HSBC, which is all bank charges.

 

Here's the text of their letter.

 

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My response is below. Any suggestions?

 

Metropolitan Collection Services Ltd

56 St James’s Road

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 1JL

 

 

ACCOUNT IN DISPUTE

Your ref: XXXXXXXX

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT TO YOUR COMPANY

 

Thank you for your letter of 30th October, the contents of which are noted and a copy of which is enclosed for your perusal and ease of reference.

 

As holders of a Consumer Credit Licence you are obliged to comply with the Office of Fair Trading Guidelines on Debt Collection. I would therefore be obliged if you would provide me with an explanation as to why you are attempting to collect on an alleged debt which was disputed with HSBC Bank PLC prior to your first contact with me, and has yet to be resolved.

As per OFT guidelines Section 2.8k "not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt."

 

Since this is considered an unfair practice and contrary to the OFT guidelines, you should consider this letter as a formal complaint, and provide me with a copy of your complaint resolution procedure.

I also require you to confirm that you will now comply with the OFT guidelines, and will not attempt any further collection activity whilst the dispute is unresolved.

 

After taking advice, I am of the opinion that your continued pursuit is in violation of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPUTR) 2008, Protection from Harassment Act 1997 section 3 as well as breaching a number of the OFT Collection Guidelines.

 

Should you fail to provide me with the required undertaking within 7 days, I shall report your breach of the OFT guidelines to Trading Standards and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

 

Take notice that I will not discuss this matter on the telephone, and all further communication must be in writing. Any telephone calls will be perceived as harassment, and dealt with accordingly.

 

I hope that you will enter into a sincere dialogue with me about this matter and I am writing this letter to you on the assumption that you would prefer to do this than merely respond with standard letters and leaflets.

 

I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.

 

I look forward to hearing from you in writing.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

[blueda]

Looks like a good letter.

[Bazooka Boo]

MetroPolitan are HSBC, it is their in-house DCA.

They are a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC.

(freephone) 0500 992299

 

Yes the 'Prove it' letter is the best way to start. Come back when they have replied to your letter, make certain you send it recorded, and always print your name, never sign it.

[Mr. Kipling]

That's the plan. I'll send it off tomorrow and let you guys know any developments. Barstewards that they are. To Hell with the lot of them...

 

Ooh I do love the new combined scanner/photocopier/printer I've got now