C.a.r.s Debt Collectors and eclipse internet debt??

[lesterlass]

I joined the site a couple of years ago but this is my first post. My parents are both elderly and had eclipse internet installed for the grandkids, I dont think they have it now (need to look into). They paid by DD but were being charged different ammounts. They have received a letter from C.A.R.S demanding £756.15 "to avoid any further action being taken please settle the account in full within 7 days from the post date". (Letter dated 13th NOV) ECT ECT ECT then at the bottom

 

Should you ignore this payment request we may either:-

1. Instruct our local collection agent to make a personal visit to you premises.
   
2. Request our client submit a default notice on your credit file.
   
3. Instruct our litigation specialists to commence legal action against you.
   

This is worring them sick!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone think they have bought the debt? and if so what letter do I send them.

Any advice I would be grateful

[cerberusalert]

Send CARS this; http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/573-general-debt-letter-if-you-know-nothing-of-the-debt

 

Gawd knows how they've got the figure of £756.15, even at the top internet connection fee for a year it shouldn't be anywhere near that.

 

How long ago did they have the a/c & for how long?

[Deb T]

I've got a link re CARS in my bookmarks, this is for a ISP debt and them threatening a call.

 

'Rude' debt collector called off - Sunday Sun

 

Look at some of their ugly mugs here

 

Welcome to CARS - CreditLink Account Recovery Solutions

 

It used to also be the case that a .org tld was reserved for non profit organisations. probably changed now but it used to be the case.

 

and this may be something relevant re 'internet services debts (alleged)

http://www.carsuk.org/internet.htm

[Bazooka Boo]

Welcome to CARS - CreditLink Account Recovery Solutions

 

Our staff are empowered to communicate with you on behalf of our clients and you will be asked to verify your personal details upon calling us. This is a requirement for Data Protection reasons. Really!!

We do understand that there may be reasons why you feel aggrieved at receiving a Debt Collection letter, however, aggressive, rude and threatening comments will not be tolerated and will be reported to the local authorities and recorded where necessary. Ha Ha, you are kidding right? It's the telephone threat monkeys who use aggressive, rude, and threatening comments!

 

Client Services

C.A.R.S.

CreditLink Account Recovery Solutions Ltd

PO Box 6520

Basingstoke

Hampshire

RG21 4UY

 

 

 

I would only recommend contacting them via letter only, send them the letter Cerbs posted, recorded delivery and print don't sign your name, see what they come back with, at least they will know from the off that you know consumer law.

 

 

The threat of a doorstep visit is designed to intimidate,

 

Give them the template letter linked below through the letterbox or chained door.

 

http://www.consumerforums.com/resour...ep-visit-.html

 

Tell them to leave as you have nothing to discuss and all communication must be in writing.

 

Tell them you will call the police if they don't leave immediately.

 

Remain calm and polite at all times.

 

Walk away from the door so the visitor cannot try and talk to you.

 

If they don't leave, call the police to report that you are being harassed and the visitor refuses to leave.

 

 

Print off the above letter template linked above and keep a copy by the door, and send it with the letter asking them to prove the debt exists.

 

 

And as your parents are both elderly, this may put them into the 'Vulnerable' bracket to which DCA's have to tread very carefully.

 

 

The Office of Fair Trading: Debt collection practices

[lesterlass]

Many thanls for your replies. I will send the letter of today. Not sure how long ago or for how long they had the account I am going to look into today will post an updte.

[PGH7447]

subbing

[michael henchard]

I think this sums up C.A.R.S. in their own words, even though it is obviously a typing error, on their website:

 

"What do I do if I have a dispute on this account?

 

If your account is in dispute we urge you to contact us immediately on 0844 8800 880 to enable us to suspend any furher action that may be pending."

 

'any fuhrer action' ??

 

What? Nazis stormer troopers at your front door, on command from the 'fuhrer'?

 

The C.A.R.S. website, www.carsuk.org, is very misleading and is full of 'fogging' that is to say apparently explaining things in such a manner so that nothing meaningful can be made of the statements.

 

As with other 'debt collection agency' websites they have two parts, in this case one called 'corporate' and the other 'customer'. The 'corporate' part of the site is really designed to make the debtor think something that isn't, that is the 'collection agency' is working on behalf of another 'corporate' company. The sub-pages on the 'corporate' part of the site is full of heavily weighted jargon that is there to look like some highly professional service but it can easily be seen to be completely meaningless when the jargon is diciphered. It is there to make the uninitiated think that this is an established corporate company with lots of clients which they recover money for them. This is far from true!

 

The 'customer' part of the website ought to be called the 'client' part as the debtor is the only person they are actually doing any 'business' with. However they use the term 'client' in the corporate section, but they don't have any such clients as their business is not to recover money for such organisations, but to realise money from accounts they have bought from creditors.

 

The 'customer' part of the C.A.R.S. website is posed with one aim and that is to get the 'customer' or 'client' to get into contact with them so they can draw them into some financial agreement on a legal basis. It is important to remember that what ever they say on their website they are not doing things in your benefit in the slightest however they may seems to show an interest, they are only interested in getting money off you. That is how they make their business work. They heavily imply legal action if you don't pay, this is done to make it easier for them to get you to contact them, they may not say it but it is in fact a form of threat.

 

On their 'Our Staff' page it states:

 

"Our staff are empowered to communicate with you on behalf of our clients and you will be asked to verify your personal details upon calling us. This is a requirement for Data Protection reasons."

 

Their staff are not empowered by anyone but their own company, they use the term 'empowered' as if it is a lawful demand.

They state that you will be asked to verify your personal details and it is a requirement that you do so. They have absolutely no right to ask for your personal details and it is not a requirement in any form, all they are doing is trying to extract the information to trap you into paying them money. Once they have your personal details, especially banking details that can start taking money off you whether you like it or not! That is their single aim and intention.

 

In fact them asking for you personal data, under the allusion that it is a requirement under the Data Protection Act, is false and in fact the Act is for your protection against those who might use such data in an unlawful manner which is what they are more than likely to be doing with it themselves!

 

On the same webpage they say:

 

"We do understand that there may be reasons why you feel aggrieved at receiving a Debt Collection letter, however, aggressive, rude and threatening comments will not be tolerated and will be reported to the local authorities and recorded where necessary."

 

'The pot calling the kettle, "Black"' here I think. Here C.A.R.S. are attempting to be seen to allying themselve to authority to again belittle the reader, as if to say that they are supported by the authorities and might be a device to warn 'customers' to avoid contact with such authorities as well the police. Basically trying to suggest there is little point in doing anyhting other than pay them the money they want from you. Even though there is no legal right, or reason, for you to do so.

 

Remember, and if only for peace of mind, that if a 'debt collection agency' threatens legal action it is likely that all it is a threat for you to act in their interest.

 

If they do threat the legal route unless you have massive debts they are likely to lose out with all their legal costs.

 

I had a dispute with company who took me to court, I was unemployment benefit and could not physically get to the court which was across the country, so I wrote to the court and asked for the case to be moved to my home town. The court agreed, then the legal action was dropped. The cost of their lawyer, to travel, stay overnight as well as their fees, and even with the chance that they might have lost the case meant it was untenable for them to carry on with the action.

 

Remember if you go to court the judge will weigh up both arguments, the debt collection agency doesn't automatically have an advantage. The judge has the power to absolve any debt if he/she wishes to if that is the most realistic outcome especially if the defender has mitigating curcumstances which any payment might affect a reasonable standard of living.

 

Lastly, don't fall into the trap that the County Court has the same powers as Magistrates or Crown Courts, the latter are criminal courts, a County Court judge cannot punish anyone as it is not a criminal court, you cannot end up going to prison!!

[lesterlass]

Hi it's over a week now........had no letter back!!! I sent recorded delivery so they have received the letter. How long do I wait for written conformation that the matter is closed? and if they do not send should I report them to trading standards and OFT? Happy to do that if it helps other people and stops **** like these trading.

[Bazooka Boo]

Well, I personally would give them a maximum of 14 days, how long has it actually been since they signed for it?

 

As it said in your letter that if they fail to respond by stating that the matter is now closed I would draft up a copy of the complaint you will send to the OFT and Trading Standards, also send a copy of your complaint to CARS also, just CC them and TS in on the letter.

[spamheed]

Bunch of wasters, I got two letters and a phone call off them but they really didn't like it when I became really aggressive and abusive towards their highly trained (LOL) threat monkey

 

Even to the point of warning him that the majority of my gypsy family still lived in the Basingstoke area (I do have an uncle who lives there) and I even told him that I have a cousin who works in their office who would happily point him out to me so we could have a "chat"

 

Funny though that if my particularly abusive and aggressive comments were actually reported to the local authorities and recorded where necessary.

 

The police and whoever else they tell about these things did sod all about it.

 

CARS didn't write back

 

As a rule I would never condone aggressive threats, but in the case of the young "gentleman" who called me, I would always make an exception

[lesterlass]

Hi it's been 7 day's yesterday, I will wait for another 7, how do I draft a copy of the complaint? just state what I have put on this site plus the letter I sent to them?

LL

[lesterlass]

Hi CARS have reared there ugly head again, letter dated 13th April "NOTICE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS"

What should I now? do I report them or send another letter..... they have obviously ignored the last letter. I still have the emails so I know they received the letter.

Thanks

LL

[Bazooka Boo]

Have you told CARS you want a copy of their complaints procedure?

 

If not, then that is all I would be sending them, a letter Telling them to supply a copy of their complaints procedure by return post.

In fact you can email them: admin@carsuk.org

 

And as they are members of the Credit Services Association:Welcome to the CSA

A complaint to them about the actions of one of their members is strongly advised.

 

As is formal complaints to the OFT TS, Via Consumer Direct

[paul30767]

hi

i'm having the same problem as you with cars over some money they claim i owe my old gym, fitness first. i've just sent the letter requesting their complaints procedure.

just wondering how you're getting on? have you heard back from them?

regards

paul

[Bazooka Boo]

Fitness First and the infamous 'Payment' [problem].

 

I had one of these last year, when I had left giving them the required months notice, they then used my bank card details to take another amount out, got this put back by the bank, who then chased FF for the repayment.

 

V.well known to a lot of the high street banks for pulling this trick, however if you have your own thread on this then post it on here and people will be able to help, they are V easy to get rid of.

[Bazooka Boo]

Any news LL??

[lesterlass]

Hi I have emailed complaints as suggested........Just on my way to see my parents they have another letter today saying they have 7 days to pay or will be in court!!!!!!!

Any thoughts both my parents are over 80 and are worried sick!!!!

LL

PS: Will update on what letter say's when I have been round

[lesterlass]

The letter is from H L LEGAL & COLLECTIOS SOLICITORS in association with SAMPSON & CO

 

"We are acting for CREDITLINK ACCOUNT RECOVERY SOLUTIONS LTD agents for the above named who have consulted us with regard to your outstanding account.

 

Unless payment is recieved by our client within the next 7 days then we anticipate instructions to issue legal proceedings against you in the county court for recovery of the full ammount together with interest and costs."

 

The solicitors are members of the CCTA.

 

Any other template letter I could send them?

[Bazooka Boo]

Absolutely scandalous!

 

Send this http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/575-letter-to-solicitors-threatening-legal-action-in-default-of-agreement-request-

to HL Legal, again recorded delivery.

 

Also make a formal complaint about HL Legal to the Solicitors Regulation Authority - For consumers

 

And as they 'Proudly' boast being members of the 'Consumer Credit Trade Association' here is a list of who to contact to complain about one of their members.

Consumer Credit Trade Association

 

The Chief Exec;

Chris Oakes

chris.oakes@ccta.co.uk

 

Or His P.A.;

Conciliation Service

 

Jeanette Beaumont

PA to the Chief Executive

jeanette.beaumont@ccta.co.uk

 

 

Would be my first point of contact, after of course the SRA and sending them that letter.

 

 

Complete bully boy idiots....

[lesterlass]

Many thanks for your help........am onto it now!!!

Will update as soon as I hear back.

 

LL:D

[lesterlass]

Hi quick uptate....GUESS WHAT....NOTHING....NO REPILES.... even to email from C.A.R.S.

 

Awaiting TS ant OFT

 

LL:confused:

[lesterlass]

Hi RESULT:D:D!!!!!!!!!

 

C.A.R.S sent me this by email

 

"Thank you for your emails I apologise for the delay in response. I have been in contact with the client and I can confirm this balance has been written off by them and the account closed on our system."

Only taken them 5months to reply...... only when I told them I had reported them to TS and OFT they bothered to reply.

LL:D

[j_semple]

Hi RESULT:D:D!!!!!!!!!

 

C.A.R.S sent me this by email

 

"Thank you for your emails I apologise for the delay in response. I have been in contact with the client and I can confirm this balance has been written off by them and the account closed on our system."

 

Only taken them 5months to reply...... only when I told them I had reported them to TS and OFT they bothered to reply.

 

LL:D

 

YAY! I always said CARS have some bark but ultimately very little bite and very easily dealt with (even if it did take 5 months)

[Bazooka Boo]

Good news At Last!

 

Still makes me spit feathers when you consider they think that 'Sorry' will make everything better. Talk is cheap.

 

The least they could do is to send your parents a bunch of flowers.......gift token.....tin of travel sweets, some blue rinse..

 

Personally I would still hammer them, it just isn't on, they think that they can threaten innocent people and then when it is found that they truly are innocent, just fob people of with, oops soory..

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/585-letter-following-up-after-a-debt-collection-agency-has-closed-its-files-

I would continue rocking the boat until they held their hands up and paid some sort of compensation to your parents for the worry, stress, and distress caused.

[Computageek]

Hi All,

 

I have a very worried son today. He was a memeber of Fitness First and back in January, he hand delivered a letter to his Gym to cancel his Membership.

 

He was told that he would have to see out the remainder of a 12 month contract, but he insists that he did not agree to a 12 month contract, but a monthly agreement with 30 days notice required.

 

Fitness First could not produce a signed document when asked, so he cancelled his Direct Debit the following month.

 

Today, he gets a letter from Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions (CARS), who say that he has a debt of £154.75 and that this account is "Long Overdue".

 

The letter is titled "NOTICE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS"

 

Clearly he is distressed, especially as the monthly cost was £29.99 and he stopped paying 3 months ago, the figure seems incredibly over the top.

 

Fitness First are not interested as they have passed this on, but are STILL unable to produce a signed contract. I went to see the Gym Manager today and he was basically a dimwit.

 

Any thoughs on what to do about this?

 

thanks

P.