Mercantile Data Bureau

[huggys boss]

Received this letter from these this morning. (at least I know what the entry from Hillsdens is on my credit file now!).

 

I was going to CCA them, but after reading a couple of threads, I am not too sure about the postal address they are using.

 

I think I feel an email coming on before I spend any money on postage.

 

Notice how they had almost covered the "calls may be recorded" bit at the top left with the bar code......naughty, naughty!

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

Mercantile Data Bureau is just another of Hillesden's letterheads. Like many DCAs, Hillesdens think that using different letterheads will scare people into thinking that the matter has been escalated.

 

'Doorstep specialists'; I suspect that this niche interest is even more dull than trainspotting, but it takes all sorts.

 

I'd recommend sending a CCA request to Hillesdens, perhaps pointing out that you have received their latest letter on their MDB letterhead, and mentioning that you are aware that Hillesdens, DLC and MDB are all the same people. Don't forget to include a paragraph to the effect that if they are considering a visit you have no interest in it, any caller will be asked to leave at once, and if they don't go the police will be called and the matter reported to the OFT as a breach of their guidance.

[huggys boss]

Just sent them an email, thought I would let them know that I won't let them intimidate me.

 

Dear Ms Kitchener,

 

I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT TO YOUR COMPANY

 

I have today received a letter from you dated 01-10-10 the contents of which have been duly noted.

 

In your letter you state that you have been instructed by Hillesden Securities Ltd to contact me regarding an unpaid debt. Can I just say that I have never received any correspondence from Hillesden Securities and in all honesty do not know who they are.

 

You also state that you profile accounts to pass to doorstep specialists, but you would rather discuss the matter over the telephone. Please be aware that I do not deal with any sort of person on the doorstep and if somebody does call on me, they will be asked to leave immediately, also I would prefer to correspond in writing. If you do need to contact me via telephone, please be aware that I record all calls to my telephone number which is my right as the bill payer.

 

You also state that you will take my current financial circumstances into account. I am sorry, but you do not have the right to know what my current financial circumstances are. The disclosure of such would only be available to you if ordered by a judge or a magistrate.

 

I wish to send you a recorded delivery letter, but on searching your company on the Company House website, I have found that the address registered is not the address on your letter. Could you please email me the full postal address of your office.

 

I will not enter into any more communication with you without a valid address consiting of Building number, Street name, Town, County and Postcode.

 

I look forward to your speedy response

 

HB

 

P.S I think it would be prudent on your part if you reset your printer so that it is not printing barcodes over the telephone recording warning at the top left of your letters.

 

I will CCA Hillesdens (who have never contacted me) and if it is to the wrong address and takes longer than the 12 + 2 it is their fault for not using a full postal address

[JonCris]

Does their letter identify them as debt collectors?

[ScarletPimpernel]

Not showing the correct Registered Office address on stationery is an offence under the Companies Act 2006. You can complain to the Technical Offences Section at Companies House.

[cosmic13]

Unless I'm looking in the wrong place, the address at the foot of the letter matches Companies House. Can't post the link though as not enough posts

[coledog]

Its got a registered office on the bottom line between 'Investers in People' (cheek) and CSA - Brackley, Northants.

[huggys boss]

They have got the correct registered office on the bottom of the letter, it is in Northants and their freepost address is Banbury.

 

I think I will CCA the registered office address as I have read somewhere on here that they sometimes put ficticious addresses on their letter heads.

[huggys boss]

Does their letter identify them as debt collectors?

 

 

Not on the letter head itself, infact reading it through again, although they say they have been instructed by Hillesdens to contact me and to discuss things with me, there is no reference to me actually paying them or them having the authority to collect the debt.

[huggys boss]

Post code finder can't find the post code.

 

But say not to 0870 website found Tony Lockes personal number if anybody needs it.

 

[Revenant]

Post code finder can't find the post code.

 

But say not to 0870 website found Tony Lockes personal number if anybody needs it.

 

 

 

Just used Google Maps for OX16 4ZY

Banbury looks nice . . the post code tag picture shows what seems to be a pretty little housing block, the County Court and CAB are near by and what could be a small office building but as you can't tell how far the postcode extends it's not easy to pin anything down

I would hazard a guess that the address on the letter is just a mailing address and nothing more

R

[huggys boss]

Typical that google can find it and the post office can't

 

Just typed OX16 in without the 4ZY and it comes up as the same place on the map.

[huggys boss]

I have had an explanation from Mr Locke about the post code.

 

Thank you for the scanned document. It certainly looks as though the letter printer has exaggerated the size of the type face causing the overspill in a few places.

I can assure you the postal address provided would result in your letter getting to MDB. As a Freepost address the Post Office assign a post code that will not come up on the post code finder. The full postal address of MDB (which is not freepost) is:-

Faccenda, Wildmere Road Industrial Estate

Banbury

Oxon

OX16 7JU

Alternatively, you can correspond with the Registered Office address as shown on the bottom of the letter. The post code for that location is NN13 7EX.

Please let me know if you have any further issues. We will be investigating the print issue to discover the cause of that problem.

Regards

Tony Locke

Data Controller

Mercantile Data Bureau

T: 01280 707513

F: 01280 707905

E-mail: tonyl@dlcollect.co.uk

[ScarletPimpernel]

Ah yes, the chicken factory...

[underdog13]

Have you had any further developments with this bunch, Huggy's Boss?

[victoria_siempre]

Hi underdog

 

Mr Locke answers the 'phone personally by name and confirms that he is trading as Hillesden Securities.

 

x

 

v

[underdog13]

Thanks, V.