Consumer Rights and Harassment

Author: Garry Crystal

Consumer rights and harassment issues are a subject that contains as many myths as there are facts. Harassment will usually take the form of credit or loan companies applying pressure to those that are unable to pay their debts. Problems occur when disreputable companies use underhanded methods to recover money designed to instill fear into the debtor.

Debt Collection Scare Tactics

Debt collection agencies will bank on the debtor’s lack of consumer rights knowledge when it comes to collecting debts. This is not to say that all debt collection agencies will use scare tactics to collect debts. There are reputable companies that know some methods cannot be used to recover debts. However, there are still a large number of companies that will use the “any means necessary” method to recover monies owed. These companies use methods designed to instill fear into the debtor with no thought of the stress caused to the debtor.

Consumer Rights and Debt

If a consumer has fallen behind or is unable to pay their debts then a strict process must be followed by the debt company. The debt recovery process is strictly controlled under the Consumer Credit Act and the first step taken must be a letter of default to the debtor. The default letter must contain details of any breach of contract and the steps that must be taken to rectify this breach. No further action can be taken by the collection agency unless the letter of default has been sent to the debtor.

Post Default Letter Process

If the default letter has been sent and no steps have been taken to remedy the breach of contract then the next step of the process will begin. This can either take the form of court action or a payment arrangement can be made with the debtor. An arrangement means that a satisfactory agreement has been reached regards repayments between the debtor and the collection agency. This is the point where harassment usually comes into play between debt collectors and debtors.

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The Debt Collector’s Powers

Basically, debt collectors have no legal right whatsoever to use scare tactics to demand money that is owed to them. They are not court appointed bailiffs and do not have the same legal recover powers. This is where harassment methods usually begin; debt collectors know these methods are not permitted by law but will bank on the debtor’s lack of consumer rights knowledge. There are number of methods that debt collectors will use to instill fear in the hope of recovering money, nearly all of which are illegal.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Debt Collection Tactics

When it comes to recovering money disreputable debt collectors will use methods including:

Continual phone calls to the debtor’s home or office
Threats of taking the matter to a criminal court when the only court action can be the civil courts
Arrange home visits without the debtor’s permission, this is not permitted
Threaten to repossess the debtor’s goods without a court order, again this is not permitted
Use threatening language either over the telephone, by letter or in person
Threaten to publicly reveal debts
Send letters that look as if they have been issued by the courts
Contact the debtor’s employers with the intention of causing embarrassment

Illegal Harassment

All of the above methods used by some collection agencies are in fact not permitted under the Consumer Credit Act. However, disreputable collectors know that placing debtors in a state of fear or threatening to embarrass them will have the desired effect. Debtors that are being subjected to this kind of harassment do have a legal right to report these agencies and the consequences to the collectors can be severe. By standing up and enforcing consumer rights debtors can stop these types of underhanded scare tactics from continuing.

Who to Contact

Debtors that are being harassed should keep a diary of all contact between the debt collectors and themselves. They should then contact their local Trading Standards office with the diary of harassment and all letters sent by the collectors. The Trading Standards office will follow up the matter and do have the power to issue verbal warnings or proceed with criminal prosecutions against the debt collection agencies. Consequences can also include the debt collection agency having their credit licence revoked by the Office of Fair Trading.

Harassment by debt collection agencies can place debtors under severe mental strain. These types of debt collecting methods are against the law and should not be tolerated by consumers. This type of harassment will only end by the debtor standing up to the disreputable collectors and enforcing their consumer rights.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Discrimination Claim Eligibility Checker lets you determines if your situation meets legal criteria for a discrimination claim under UK law. Try it now →

59 questions

Ask Civil Rights Movement a Question

CivilRightsMovement Editor 22/05/2018 at 12:51 pm

Landlords do have duty to keep a property in a certain standard of repair. Your local environmental health service can enforce this. Please give them a call and ask them to come and take a look at the state of the property.

Crazy clax 16/05/2018 at 5:33 am

Universal credits are taken a managed rent payment and arrears money directly of MY money. Firstly i would like to point out the fact they created the situation. The amount is wrong by a large amount. This it seems was arranged by my landlord and uneversal credit, in fact they never even asked me if I agreed to the amount, which upoun telephoneing U.C to find out the detail , I was told take it up with your landlord?? I tryed to explain also to them that my home is in disrepair with mice pigeons, cooking area has a nest right above cooker, there are trails of urine all around my bedroom skirting boards from mice, I struggle to sleep and more,, U.C, replyed again Take it up with your landlord,,, I INFORMED MY LANDLORD OF THE VERMON PIGONS THE UTTER FILTH AM FORCED TO LIVE IN, in fact i offered to fix the roofing issue that allows the pigeons in to my loft and knock my lights out and build a nest, saying 75% of my labour charge could go to arrears of which I beleved to be £1000,,, I could not beleve his answer, asking me to climb up and in to loft, and stuff a towel in the hole from inside, meaning crawl on my front threw pigeon crap, the insects they attract and carry, SURELY HE MUST KNOW HE JUST ASKED ME TO RISK MY LIFE!!! OR RISK SERIOUS DANGER TO MY HEALTH, Now 2 years 5 month on my arrears are paid to find out Uneversal credit have deducted £1800 not to mention the month ne got up front nor the first 2 year a was here an overpayment of £9 each month,,,I contacted unversal credit asking to now pay the rent back to me explaining yet again the totaly filth a live in, and so that a could use the first rent payment a receved to pay for a new flats bond. Not to mention that a have main root nevers jn my spinal cord which are damaged causing me to at time lose the use of my legs and walking up 3 flights of stairs to top flat is no longer an easy task. Thirdly a pointed out that I cant afford the £412 a month rent, yes thats correct £412 month for a flat witch is riddled with VERMON DISEASE ect, and also £100 approx more than flats similar infact a 2 bedroom with no mice or pigeons which you can cook wash ect is £415,, the lady told me she had took a note of all i said and was sending this to a decsion maker that was approx 05/02/2018, well come 18/04/2018 I receved my uneversal credit payment, in a local shop buying food, paying with my card I was somewhat confused when it was declined. Again I call unversal credit saying my moneys short of £80, only to be informed that my landlord has on 01/04/2018 submitted a LANDLORDS REQUEST FOR A MANAGED PAYMENT AND A FURTHER £1080 arrears, I recorded this call as note how fast they sort my landlords claim, although am still waiting on a yes or a no from decision maker since febuary, be all and end all is a cant stop this infact if they deduct this money and again if he sayed a owed him another 1000 they will just keep doing it,, I tryed reason saying look for 2 year yous have paid him in full plus so called r

Becca 07/02/2018 at 11:52 am

Hi,
I endured the most traumatic harrassment from Everest Windows.
My windows were installed just before Christmas. As we had a small amount of building work completed by them I had a huge amount to clear up(brick dust). They left at 3.30 on the Thursday and at 8.40 am the next day a man called Robbie was on the phone to me demanding for the balance payment. I explained I’d not looked at the windows as it was dark and so much clearing up to do and it would not be until after the weekend at the earliest I’d get a chance. He was ringing from a mobile. I told him that I’m not giving my card details to someone on a mobile phone anyway and that he could be anyone ringing. I said until the snag list and missing parts is complete the job isn’t done anyway. I rang Everest customer services immediately after as I was so upset by his tone. They said it was fine for me to pay when all is complete. The following week I received calls from mobiles and the sittingbourne office number , emails and demands. I explained I’d been told it was ok to pay when all work was complete. They demanded to know who said this. During one episode of harassment that week I was speaking from my landline in distress to customer services again and they were calling my mobile repeatedly. Hanging up and calling again. I told the man on the phone look they are doing it whilst on phone to you. He asked for the mobile number and confirmed it was an employee. I reported this to Everest customer relations on 21 December 2017. I put it on trust pilot too but I think they got it taken down. I’ve heard nothing but acknowledgements and they say it’s been investigated. A lady called Sally (senior position in customer relations) has never even contacted me or spoken to me re the complaint. It was so traumatic, I’m concerned that if they do this to someone who is elderly or that’s not well, I wonder how the stress will effect them health wise! I suffered panic attacks for a few weeks after and I’m in my 40’s. As well as being shocked and now very cross at the traumatic ordeal of the harrassment, I am upset they haven’t even come back to me. What else can I do? Do I get legal advice? Any advice welcome.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 17/08/2017 at 11:48 am

If you have proof that you were not covered and the company said that they were not sending out a response vehicle because of this, then you should not be liable for a fine or debt. Find out the specific details of the debt before phoning them though.

D 15/08/2017 at 4:01 pm

I recently called my breakdown company as I couldn't start my car, I remember a email saying the company has changed names so when I spoke to the operator I asked if I was covered with this company which they replied yes so a recovery was sent after nearly two hours I called and asked the wearabouts then called again 40 mins later it was that call the operator informed me I wasn't actually covered my renewal didn't renew so I told them not to worry as iv jump started my vehicle I was told they would charge me for starting my own vehicle how can they if I'm not a member? Today I have received a letter from a dept recovery firm asking for £150

CGG 20/03/2017 at 5:12 pm

Hello!
I hope you may be able to help me with some advice.I am looking to take legal action against a debt collecting agency that opened a CCJ under my name for a debt already paid, without informing me, failed to inform the law company representing them and of course the Court.I found out when trying to rent a flat as I have failed the financial check and being 7 months pregnant this came as a shock.3 A&E visits later,lots of scans, test and baby monitoring ended in induced labor, baby being forced to come by Emergency C section after 4 days of torment(long story short).
They have issed a letter regarding the situation but the damage was already done.
My question is: Can a sue them and am I entitled to any compensation?
Have to mention my credit score damaged because of it, but the main issue is that my baby was in danger because of their action or lack of it.

Many many thanks in advance.

Ben 08/03/2017 at 2:12 pm

Hello, I have just spoke to a collection company which has some how been emailing my mums work email address? When I asked how they got this email address they couldn't give me an answer? And also the debt is not shown anywhere on my credit file, is there anything I can do about this?

NTD 01/02/2017 at 9:22 pm

Hi ...my daughter has a debt she hasn't paid and since she has left home and living with friends We have received a few debt letters I her name, but these had no address or name where they were from so I had to open them to find out who the letters were from. I returned them back with a note saying 'recipient dies not live at this address anymore' ...however this week i got another letter addressed to her notifying of them coming in 10days to retrieve money. I text the number to let them know that she doesn't live here anymore, I had no reply. Just wanted to know my rights in this matter as a mother.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 08/11/2016 at 1:50 pm

No, make a complaint to Facebook.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 08/11/2016 at 12:16 pm

If you didn't cancel the membership officially, you will be responsible for the payments. It would be best to pay these, cancel your membership officially and avoid any further action.

Upset debt! 07/11/2016 at 9:24 am

Hi I just want to know if this is allowed.. I have a debt that I am thinking of declaring bankrupt for as I can't pay it however the debt collectors have been chasing after me and today they went on my face book page and contacted one of my boyfriends friends (who I am not even friends with o. Facebook) and asked about me and sent their details to him to pass on to me. So now people I don't even know well are being contacted in regards to my debt. I feel so low embarrassed i just with I wasn't alive!! Are they legally allowed to do that?

Hopeful7 06/11/2016 at 9:52 pm

I subscribed to a dating site elite singles and I had a new card issued during membership so as a result the card they had became invalid . I did not notify them of my dissatisfaction of the site as I soon forgot I had membership and the due date for renewal . As now I have received threats of assigning a collection agent to collect the subscription due under the recurring payment scheme and affecting my credit rating if I don't pay . What rights do I have and what can I do

CivilRightsMovement Editor 27/09/2016 at 11:58 am

No they should not be pursuing the debt against anyone other than the debt holder. Check that you didn't give yuor mother's name as a guarantor etc.

dave 26/09/2016 at 12:33 am

I have a dept and they keep texting my mother who I havent live with for ten years its at least once a week is this a loud? The dept was recent so I dont know how they got her number

CivilRightsMovement Editor 12/09/2016 at 11:27 am

Is the water included in the rent payments? Contact you landlord in the first instance to clarify.

annie 09/09/2016 at 3:41 pm

hi ive had a debt collector letter sent to our caravan site for a chalet water bill ive never owned the chalet so dont know why im getting the bill what should i do

CivilRightsMovement Editor 25/08/2016 at 12:18 pm

You say ex husband. Had you separated when he died? If so you should not be responsible for any debts other than joint accounts/mortgage etc that you still held together.

Annie 22/08/2016 at 6:40 pm

I keep recieving debt letters for my dead exhusband i gave my address because they said they needed one to close his accounts they are refusing to remove my address and keep harrassing me the debts are nothing to do with me i am still grieving and getting depresssed i have had nightmares since he died 5 months ago.

Nat 28/07/2016 at 6:34 am

In 2015 I received a letter from a debt collection agency saying I have failed to re-pay First Utility. At this time, My payments to First Utility were via direct debit so I couldn't understand how I owed them any more money. I called First Utility who said they have accidentally credited my account by £300. I informed them that this dos not happen but they wanted me to send proof via a copy of my bank statement for the month in which the supposed money was transferred. Much to my annoyance, I sent them my bank statement showing I had not received any money and they finally cancelled the debt collection agency and closed the case out. Yesterday, I received an automated voicemail from a debt collection agency stating I need to call them back stating a reference number. When I called them they stated I owed First Utility £300. I told them this is not correct and they have put the case on hold for 5working days. I then called First Utility who told me that they are still chasing the £300 from last year! I told them this issue was sorted and they should have all the proof they need. They then asked me to send them a copy of my bank statement through to prove it again! I refused and said they will have to figure it out as its their problem. Do I have any grounds to sue them for a) providing my personnel details to a debt collection agency and b) causing me a great deal of stress for something i haven't done?

dhan 09/06/2016 at 9:48 pm

My brothers car has been in the garage/workshop for 3 and a half months waiting for a part to be delivered (they have said none have been available) for his ford focus. Where does he stand in getting the company to payout its working value instead of getting the car back? They currently value it as a non-runner as they have took the part out and made it this way until a new part comes. Thanks

CivilRightsMovement Editor 08/06/2016 at 12:31 pm

You can usually cancel your insurance whenever you choose to do so. Which insurance company are you using? All insurance companies have access to vehicle check information so they should be able to establish online whether you own a vehicle or not.

Hema 07/06/2016 at 7:26 am

Sold my car privately 4.3.16. Notified insurance company who requested proof of sale. Sent my car documents to DVLA notifying them of sale with buyers information detailed on form.
Insurance company chasing payments, I've paid 3 already despite not having my car.
Cancelled my dd now, they want proof, DVLA still not sent receipt.
I'm told insurance company don't need receipt and I can stop my insurance whenever but company claim not.
They plan to add £30 on top of my next instalment today.
I am calling DVLA today and insurance company.
Can you please help and advice?
Hema

CivilRightsMovement Editor 10/05/2016 at 9:46 am

This is what Experian says "Unless you share a financial connection with any of them - for example, a joint mortgage - friends and family have no impact on your credit report. Just living with someone doesn't create a financial connection. If you do have a financial connection with someone lenders may look at their credit report as well as yours when you apply for new credit, as their circumstances could affect your ability to make repayments."

Didi 07/05/2016 at 9:24 am

My partner lives with me. The house is in my name and everything in it save for his clothes etc is mine. His bank details are registered at my adress and he is registered here with the council. He owes the halifax amongst others money and his debts have been sent to an agency. Am I at risk of loosing my house and/or possessions?

CivilRightsMovement Editor 27/04/2016 at 12:00 pm

It sounsd as though the contract might be in your name, as it's your bank account details that were used. You will need to ask the phone company for a copy of the original contract and its terms etc.

Paul 26/04/2016 at 12:20 pm

I let the ex wife use my bank account to obtain a o2 mobile, the only contact I had with them was to say she was allowed to use my account, I never agreed to any part of the phone verbally or written, yet their trying to chase me for the debt

Just because I allowed my account to be used, does that make me liable?

CivilRightsMovement Editor 25/04/2016 at 11:34 am

Write back to the company that sent the letter asking them for more details and mention that you think it's the result of fraudulent activity. Then report it to you local police for further investigation.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 25/04/2016 at 11:23 am

A solicitor's letter to the debt collector might be effective. Is the debt a valid debt belonging to your mother (albeit with the wrong name)? How have they managed to find your subsequent addresses?

charlotte 23/04/2016 at 11:41 am

hi,

my mother recieved a letter a few days ago. she just opened it as its her home and when she did it was addressed to my abusive ex partner. He has never lived at that address so very odd. the letter is from a secondary debt collector. This must mean he has taken out a loan or something under an address he has never lived at!!! is that not illegal??

what can i do?

Jill 23/04/2016 at 11:05 am

Hello I am being harrassed for a debt I have nothing to do with! An error was made by talk talk where they selected my initial instead of my mothers for a phone account. My self and my mother informed them that the account is hers and and not mine and she has always paid the bill through her bank account. We followed procedure varies times to inform them via their internal forms and via letters that they need to change the name/initial but they claim they never received them (we sent atleast 3) fast forward a few years and there is an outstanding amount for some equipment they say my mother kept from them and the bills/debt is in my name! They have been pursuing me through all my addresses and causing me a lot of stress! My last attempt to write to them was last July 2015 with two signed letters from my mother and myself explaining once again that the debt is not mine. They previously told me that the debt was written off anyway but I wanted it removed from my name and credit file. When I wrote to them they replied saying the issue was out of their hands as it was with a debt collector now. I have since been written to by another debt collector seeking the outstanding amount! I'm very distressed about it what can I do? I want to sue them for harassment too!

Pinck 10/04/2016 at 8:08 am

Hello
My husband and I moved into a house which has a huge amount of unpaid bills from the previous tenants. Due to this we decided to swich to different energy provider which we made a call to the old provider to inform them about our decision. They then told my husband that would send our bill to pay for two months we with them which they did 197pounds and this amount has been paid in February 2016. We are now dealing with our new provider for our energy bills but the old has send us a bill again claiming 187 pounds which my husband called to know why and they said it is an outstanding bill so we he should pay.on the bill it states base on estimation reading. Meanwhile they told us that the last bill of 197pounds was the last bill to be paid . They have been sending letters asking us to pay which we think they are harrasing us to pay for a bill we did not consum..it's only because the previous tenants were too many and we are only two, they are estimating wrongly and it's really put us in a very uncomfortable situation. And to add to this,the new provider send us a bill base on the previous estimation from the previous provider and later they came to read the meter and there was huge difference in the amount..the reading provided small amount and the estimated bill was almost 200 pounds bigger. Please could you please tell me what to do inoder to avoid being rip off and also legal action from the previous provider.
Thanks.

Lala 01/04/2016 at 7:48 pm

Hi I bought some photos from a company a few weeks back n set a standing order up through my bank but my didn't pay this today 1/4/16 the photogoragher then came to my house about a hour ago demanded the cash I only had 22£ on me but the pics are 30 a week he said he was going to take the pics bk or get a ccj on me he also sent me a txt saying I'd better get in touch with very very urgently that was his words is better get in touch so I did n he demanded the money n played a sympathy vote on me saying he had to travel to my house from Rotherham n had to get a Carer in to look after his son because of me I feel so down n feel I want to cry I have mental health problems as it is he wants me to ring him tomoro with bank deatails for the other £8 which I just don't have I'm abit scared tyvm

CivilRightsMovement Editor 16/02/2016 at 1:44 pm

Have you asked them what other communication they have sent to you? Were you aware you hadn't paid any water rates?

Julie 14/02/2016 at 10:30 am

Hi. I have just received a letter from a debt collection agency regarding a rather large amount owing to southern water. The thing is, I have not been receiving any correspondence/letters/reminders etc regarding this actually from southern water. They say I owe them just over 800 and are threatening court action and possibly a ccj against me. I'm rather frustrated as if they had sent me reminders or in fact any letters I would have come to an agreement with them and certainly not let it get to this point. Is there any course of action I can take? Is it illegal them passing on the debt before even attempting to resolve this with me themselves?

CivilRightsMovement Editor 10/02/2016 at 2:21 pm

You need to get someone from the company to talk to you so that you can establish the nature of the debt, when it's from, whose name it's in and whether it is a genuine debt before you can act further.

vw queen 08/02/2016 at 9:23 pm

I am receiving letters for my daughter from a debt collection agency with regards to a debt supposedly owed to a catalogue company, she has not lived here for 8 years and she says she does not owe them anything She has had several addresses since leaving home, and we are wondering if someone has obtained goods in her name at a previous address? I have returned letters to said companies, advising that she was no longer here, am I obliged to tell them her new address, if it's not her debt? Also, are they allowed to sell my address on after they have been told she is no longer here? I have now had someone post a card through my door from said companies after they have sent a collector to arrange payment ( It was addressed to my daughter and she said it was ok to open it) and will call back Can I claim Harrassment?

Spanner 30/01/2016 at 11:49 am

Hi I have recently received a text stating that my debt has massively increased! I have not received any letters from company. They said they sent out the last letter in April'15. I asked if they had tried texting before they replied yes but their system shows not delivered. Do I have to pay this new amount or can I argue and pay the original amount??? Don't know what to do!!!!! ??????

CivilRightsMovement Editor 21/01/2016 at 10:28 am

Tell her to send a letter as well as the emails. If there is no address provided, report it to Trading Standards. Your mum should also contact the magazine's advertising department and complain about the unclear ordering process as it seems like she's unknowlingly agreed to some kind of ongoing subscription to a product a month.

paul 20/01/2016 at 1:44 pm

Hello my mam ordered a item out of magazine and paid it now they keep sending her a new product every month and demanding payment see sent several cancelling emails to stop and has tried loads to call number but keeps her on hold for ages so can't get in touch so not well and this isn't helping her can you help.

Sam 04/01/2016 at 7:13 pm

Hi, recently I have entered several competitions writing my mobile number in , now I am receiving several texts a day offering me loans and seven phone calls at least today. One company said I had applied for a loan, which I have not, I have told them I do not want a loan and send text back telling them to go away. What should I do, am feeling fed up with this harassment, will it get worse, am thinking of trying to sell them double glazing/ home insurance when they phone any suggestions please... Thanks

ooctie 13/12/2015 at 2:36 pm

If you get any contact you can explain you are only prepared to deal with the creditor and not a secondhand buyer of debts, that should throw them off course, My friend did that and escaped paying subsequently

CivilRightsMovement Editor 16/11/2015 at 10:52 am

The courts should be able to assist you with this. We can't really help as we do not have the details of the court order.

Tabby 13/11/2015 at 1:06 pm

Hi, I have a loan agreement with Tracegreen Finance for a car. I lost my job and couldn't afford the repayments the car was reprocessed and the court made an order for me to pay the balance after the vehicle was disposed of. I applied to the court to make payments of £5.00 per month and filled out an expendeture form. The court agreed on £5.00 per as the creditor the not reply. I have been making payments of £5.00 per month without fail for about 16 months in time as per the order. I have today received a letter from the creditor that £5.00 is unacceptable and the full monthly payments of £58.00 a week is now due as per the original credit agreement or they will apply to the court for an order of questioning
Please advise

Sky 07/11/2015 at 10:29 am

I keep getting letters and enforcement agents from the same company coming to my home after numerous phone calls telling them the person they are looking for is not at my address ( previous tentant) I have showen proof by my council tax but they keep knocking and sending letters!!! Am a single parent of 2 children and work very hard but now am scared to leave my front door unlocked incase they come in my home!!! I've received another letter today saying they are coming again in the next 7 days to remove goods. Am so stressed of this whole situation which has nothing at all to do with me. Can you help me? Please.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 21/10/2015 at 12:33 pm

Write a letter of complaint to Orange. Give all the details and be sure they are aware that you do not think you responsible for the debt, and would like them to provide more information. Write to the debt collection company and say that you have reported them to the FCA and Trading Standards Office for poor practices. (You can do this if the company does not oblige with further information).

steve 20/10/2015 at 2:41 pm

Hi there, I emigrated to austrlia over 2 years ago. Around 3 months ago my parents who still live in the UK received a letter addressed to me.The letter was off a dept collecting company who said I owe money from an outstanding orange mobile phone account. I have no recollection of the number they provided as I'd had a different orange mobile for the last 4 years of my time in the UK. The number doesn't seem familiar. I've emailed them and asked if all further corispondance can be done via email as I don't want to involve my parents. They keep on sending mail to my parents despite my wishes to be emailed. As yet I've not received proof that the number they provided actually was belonging to me. How can
1. Ensure the agency stops contacting my parents?
2. Get them to provide proof that the account was mine?
3. And without that proof, ensure they stop pursuing the matter?
What are my rights?
If the number did belong to me then it must have been some 6 years ago.since this have had another orange mobile account and orange home phone and internet account. Should I be contacting orange for this information ? Surely if I did have this outstanding dept, orange would have contacted me during the term of my other contracts?

Big C 18/09/2015 at 10:50 am

My grandmother died in Feb of this year. I moved into my current address in April. Yet Southern Water contacted me last month, in my grandmother's name to demand she pay her bill. I contacted them, told them she had died and that they should have already been informed by my aunt who handled such matters. I also told them this was MY address, and she had never lived here. They assured me they would remove my address from her account and apologised for the mistake. Any insurance and debt was dealt with by my aunt, whom I have no contact with whatsoever. Which I also told them.

Today however I received a letter from Moorcroft Debt Recovery which demanded she pay the debt, which Southern Water have increased by £45 to £115.16. It's a ridiculous amount to hound someone for. It is not my debt and I know I have no responsibility to pay it. Several other debtors have contacted me in the past, who already knew she was dead and apologised and left me alone when I told them to. Why am I am out of everyone in my family being hounded? I am her granddaughter, not her husband, partner, or child! How do I get them to leave me alone? I've written a letter to send off but I could do with some advice to make sure they leave me be.

I was very close to my grandmother and her death was highly traumatic for everyone, I have yet to recover and receiving letters like this make me ill.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

CivilRightsMovement Editor 09/09/2015 at 2:23 pm

Sorry but we cannot really help with this. Did the insurance company ask specifically about any motoring offence or penalty points? A solicitor would be your best option if you feel you have been misled in any way.

Ranj 08/09/2015 at 1:08 pm

I took out a policy with an insurance company when asked questions over the phone I replied correctly and honestly to my knowledge and then my husband was involved in a accident so I reported it to my insurance company and they turned round and Said its invalid because me and my husband both had points on our licenses and I had completey forgot to tell them about mine and did not even know that my husband had points and now they have sent me a bill over 20000 pound of the costs they have occurred which I was not told or kept informed of what's happening in the event of the accident my husband occurred injuries himself and still suffers. We believe the insurance company have used under-hand tactics. Please help

CivilRightsMovement Editor 01/09/2015 at 9:39 am

You'd be better to speak to him and arrange to make payments by instalments if he'll agree to it. Normally if you ow someone money and they want to take steps to make you pay it back, they would file a civil law suit...you would not simply be arrested and detained.

tosin 31/08/2015 at 1:19 pm

I have a challenge. I owe someone some amount of money. He made me wrote in a paper (A4 paper) promising to pay the money in a particular date. The date passed with about a month and I don't still have the money to pay, now he ordered my arrest and detention by the police. What can I do?

CivilRightsMovement Editor 25/08/2015 at 12:30 pm

Get full details of all the bills from your new provider. These will show when you started using them. Send copies together with a letter with complete details. Mention also that you will consider legal action if they mistakenly contact you regarding this again.

Lionramant 22/08/2015 at 11:38 pm

I moved into my new house last October and when I moved in I told the power provider that the builders were using that I no longer want power from them and switched .6 months later I got a letter from a debt agency demanding 175 pounds for a outstanding bill which was estimated. They now keep sending letters saying that I owe money to them and will keep going up if I don't pay.I keep telling them that I do not owe them money ,I even asked for proof and all the send me an invoice for money which I never had a contract for plus the bill is estimated, help thanks

bri 17/07/2015 at 5:23 pm

I'm having a few problems with a loan company ringing my partner 6 to 8 times a day its called one stop loans or on them lines I phoned myself and asked them to remove the number and still ringing her what can I do about the company please

CivilRightsMovement Editor 14/07/2015 at 2:50 pm

@waymarks. You are actually under no legal obligation to contact the trader and can keep the goods. If you have been sent items by mistake however, (e.g additional items or something meant for another customer) you should contact the company and request that they come and collect the goods, which of course you have done. There should be no cost or inconvenience to you and you should give the company a deadline within which it should collect the item(s). If they've taken a payment for these they have committed a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Report them to Trading Standards.

waymarks 10/07/2015 at 12:09 pm

I am being harassed by a company for payment of unsolicited books sent to my address.
I invited co. to collect them and they sent a returns label and have not collected the books. They have charged my account and are threatening action against me.

what action should I take?

Charlie 24/06/2015 at 10:22 pm

I had a friend request on Facebook, I didn't recognise the name or the profile picture, si in order for me to see who it was I had to accept it. As soon as I accepted I had a message on my wall off my old loan collector. yes I still owe money to them and yes am willing to come to sort of arrangement but I want to know if this collector is breaking any law by plastering on my wall for my family and friends to see it.

Bandit Queen 29/08/2011 at 1:17 am

Recently had a visit from a debt collector who refused to leave. He will not be coming back as I threatened him with the police and closed the door on him. He banged on the door several times and rang the bell several times, frightened and threatened my sick husband, would not leave even though he had got me out of a sick bed and I am disabled and we did not even know this guy was coming. I forced the door closed on him as he would not go, and his identity was a laugh. He was from Excel and his name is John McCarthy. I told him to leave and he still stayed outside knocking and banging. I hit the panic button which goes to the police and he went. He left a letter and I phoned and told him he was breaking the law and he was not to call me again or come to my home or he will be arrested and removed as a breach of trespass. I have also made a formal complaint. Somehow, I doubt he will be back!

Big D 21/05/2011 at 10:18 am

When debt collection agencies buy debts can the creditor formally assign all rights and title to such debts without notifying or obtaining the consent of the debtor. If so can the debtor request proof of assignment, notwithstanding that the debtor was not informed and therefore did not consent to the sale.

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