Dealing with debt recovery agencies

I received a letter/bill recently from a 'debt recovery service' recently for £69.

I was part of a 5 aside league, and when my team lost a couple of games it was clear the players weren't interested in playing anymore.

So I had to cancel one game, which I gave more than 24 hours for.

I thought another player was going to continue with the league, but before the game week he changed his mind. At that point I pulled out of the league altogether. Again, over 24 hours prior to the said match.

Now it is £23 per game week, and we left with £10 in credit. A £69 debt? It doesn't add up.

Now there are no contracts I have signed to take part in this league. This fictitious bill of £69 for services I haven't used looks a bit steep.

But it is always worrying when a debt recovery agency is involved. They are threatening to ruin my credit rating already. Mentioning courts, legal fees and interest. Could bailiffs be involved?

I feel the bill is totally unfair bit am feeling bullied into paying it, which I don't think is right. Is it worth waiting for a court date, or worth paying (only £70) to get it off my plate? Is it likely to proceed for such a small amount or are they just trying to bully me?

The debt recovery agency is based in hemel Hempstead which is hours and hours away from me. Are they likely to travel all the way to me for a £70 bill that doesn't really have any conclusive proof of services I received which didn't pay for (if you give advance notice you won't be at a football match, how can you be billed for it months afterwards?).

I have proof (via text messages) I cancelled these matches. I am unaware of any contractual obligations I signed (I never signed anything) that could incur any hidden fees. So where do I stand legally? Or where do I go to clarify my legal position independently?

Any advice gratefully received.

Tell them to fuckoff. Their trump card is always threats and intimidation.

Failing that, you could PM Nikkkk. I'm sure he could advise on ways of getting round this type of thing.

It might be his company after me!

Change yer name, grow a beard, and do one sharpish.

Czarcasm wrote:

Tell them to fuckoff. Their trump card is always threats and intimidation.

Failing that, you could PM Nikkkk. I'm sure he could advise on ways of getting round this type of thing.

My friend said to contact the agency demanding proof. Seems a sensible first step without being overly antagonistic?

On the other hand, being quiet and ignoring them might make them realise their case is perhaps too weak for court, engaging them might attract too much of their time and resources.

Pm me my son had the same problem,  depending on the circumstances there are  different  ways of dealing with with it.

Joking aside, it depends what personal details they hold on you, but I wouldn't engage them one bit. These type of organisations are the same as the private companies issuing parking tickets. They survive on scaring a high enough percentage of people into paying up. Because of this they can afford to write off the ones who refuse point blank to engage.

are they really going to send thugs round to recover £69??

Angry wrote:

are they really going to send thugs round to recover £69??

The letter they have sent threatens a day in court with court fees and interest added to the amount.

At the end of the day if you don't pay a parking ticket, you will end up in court, and that is around the same amount.

The difference with parking tickets is I suspect they have more proof of guilt than is on me.

If you Google the debt recovery company in question, their service is essentially 'no recovery no fee' to their customers, which to me seems a bit cowboy.

Czarcasm wrote:

Joking aside, it depends what personal details they hold on you, but I wouldn't engage them one bit. These type of organisations are the same as the private companies issuing parking tickets. They survive on scaring a high enough percentage of people into paying up. Because of this they can afford to write off the ones who refuse point blank to engage.

Well they definitely have my home address, that much is apparent.

ejh wrote:

I received a letter/bill recently from a 'debt recovery service' recently for £69.

I was part of a 5 aside league, and when my team lost a couple of games it was clear the players weren't interested in playing anymore.

So I had to cancel one game, which I gave more than 24 hours for.

I thought another player was going to continue with the league, but before the game week he changed his mind. At that point I pulled out of the league altogether. Again, over 24 hours prior to the said match.

Now it is £23 per game week, and we left with £10 in credit. A £69 debt? It doesn't add up.

Now there are no contracts I have signed to take part in this league. This fictitious bill of £69 for services I haven't used looks a bit steep.

But it is always worrying when a debt recovery agency is involved. They are threatening to ruin my credit rating already. Mentioning courts, legal fees and interest. Could bailiffs be involved?

I feel the bill is totally unfair bit am feeling bullied into paying it, which I don't think is right. Is it worth waiting for a court date, or worth paying (only £70) to get it off my plate? Is it likely to proceed for such a small amount or are they just trying to bully me?

The debt recovery agency is based in hemel Hempstead which is hours and hours away from me. Are they likely to travel all the way to me for a £70 bill that doesn't really have any conclusive proof of services I received which didn't pay for (if you give advance notice you won't be at a football match, how can you be billed for it months afterwards?).

I have proof (via text messages) I cancelled these matches. I am unaware of any contractual obligations I signed (I never signed anything) that could incur any hidden fees. So where do I stand legally? Or where do I go to clarify my legal position independently?

Any advice gratefully received.

To put it simply ignore them.

Don't bother contacting them, just chuck the letters in the bin. Certainly do not pay them, Debt Recover Agencies are chancers that rely on intimidation and shock tactics to sacre people into paying their ludicrously inflated charges.. They'll send a few 'scary' letters and then give up. They won't bother with court as thats £35 they've got to pay upfront and even if they are awarded judgement against you they have to pay to enforce it. They can't just "send the boys round"

Remember the burden of proof is entirely on them and they don't have any special powers to collect money or affect your credit rating.

You could write to the company that you allegedly owe the money to demand a breakdown of the charges and point out that you are refusing to acknowledge the debt unless this is forthcoming and give them a deadline.

Just scribble "not known at this address" and bung it back in the post.

Thanks for the advice guys. Czarcasm and Hugh Watt, you have certainly calmed me down a bit!

I am still in two minds whether so send them an email telling them they won't be getting far with me, or not.

Here is the company sending me letters:  http://www.pjcds.co.uk

Maybe it isn't even them in particular, but this: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I'm in the Biz Czar with Watt Hugh might do camp myself...

Whatever you do, don't acknowledge the first letter...    and maybe the second, if it comes, and depending on what it says...

Be very careful the debt recovery firm don't add any more costs to the claim ie. court fees. As soon as they schedule it for a county court hearing then inform them the debt is in dispute and that you will fight it. Until then ignore it completely. You can easily fight county court battles yourself, stick to the facts and if the debt recovery firm loses they pay all the costs so it's a gamble for them.

Mary@HP wrote:

Be very careful the debt recovery firm don't add any more costs to the claim ie. court fees. As soon as they schedule it for a county court hearing then inform them the debt is in dispute and that you will fight it. Until then ignore it completely. You can easily fight county court battles yourself, stick to the facts and if the debt recovery firm loses they pay all the costs so it's a gamble for them.

Not quite accurate, the debt recovery agency will have front up all court fees and all the county court will do is rubber stamp the fact that a debt is owed with the onus will be on the creditor to enforce the debt. They are allowed to add reasonable recovery charges and statutory interest to the amount owed, not the fantastical charges they try to extort.

It won't go to court. Not for £69. Debt recovery agencies are a bunch of fly by nights who have no intention of chucking good money after bad. However even if they do, the key thing to remember is that the burden of proof is on them to show that you owe the money not on you to prove that you don't.


If you're still concerned this lot are helpful [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or course PM me if you get any further hassle but I really wouldnt worry.

I would take issue with several points there Hugh, no charges will be awarded by court without a chance of defence, if you don't contest them the charges will stick if they lose their defence then the charges will be ascribed to the debt collectors. As for not suing for £69? That's what the small claims court is for, believe me I have had much experience in this field.

Are you looking to buy a house at any point soon Eeejy?

A £52 phone fee, which I'm still not aware of the reasons behind, nearly scuppered a mortgage last year.

if you leave it the total cost to you could go up .I would go and seek legal advice personally. your first half hour is free with a solicitor.

FFS you lot, me and Hugh had just calmed him down!

I know!!

lawnmowerman wrote:

if you leave it the total cost to you could go up .I  would go and seek legal advice personally.  your first half hour is free with a solicitor.

I'm not trying to be facetious but any Solicitor will want to know in advance what the issue is briefly about on appointment. When he/she is told its for £69 what do you think their reaction will be.
Briefs are £250 an hour on average in Plymouth and very very few will still give you an initial appointment free anyway and certainly not over £69

To OP straight in the Bin with that crap. I had enormous experience (unfortunately) in dealing with shit like this. Sleep easy nothing will occur and certainly no impact on Credit Ratings

I do worry for frightened wabbits that think of taking on a fox.
It's quite simple, if you haven't the balls, pay up. It's an overhead of being a fwightened wabbit. The prize is a decent burrow, a magnificent huge credit rating by those who wouldn't spit on you, but with a poor self esteem. Your choice. A bit like being mugged and just handing over your dosh, rather than seeing to them and feck the consequences.
Knowing the legal ins and outs is irrelevant, if you have to come on here asking for advice. I wouldn't, and haven't paid up. You will.
Know yourself, get on with it, and don't fret.
Yours Margorie

Sir John Hawkins wrote:

I do worry for frightened wabbits that think of taking on a fox.
It's quite simple, if you haven't the balls, pay up. It's an overhead of being a fwightened wabbit. The prize is a decent burrow, a magnificent huge credit rating by those who wouldn't spit on you, but with a poor self esteem. Your choice. A bit like being mugged and just handing over your dosh, rather than seeing to them and feck the consequences.
Knowing the legal ins and outs is irrelevant, if you have to come on here asking for advice. I wouldn't, and haven't paid up. You will.
Know yourself, get on with it, and don't fret.
Yours Margorie