Freedom Retail Ltd debt collection
Discussion
Evening all, I have just returned home today after a stay in hospital to be greeted by a debt collection letter from Arc Europe who appear to be a debt collection agency. The amount is £82.15 for Freedom Retail Ltd MW19DXK. I have absolutely no idea what this is about as I have never defaulted on anything at all and have never had any correspondence to back this up. Can anyone shed any light on this please? I have tried phoning them but they aren't open until 8.30 on Monday and after everything I have been through recently I don't need this. Cheers!
and parked in a
'convenience store operator under the Morrison Daily brand'
or
Wine Rack stores in Surrey
or
Bargain Booze stores in Bedfordshire?
https://freedomretail.co.uk/our-brands/
'convenience store operator under the Morrison Daily brand'
or
Wine Rack stores in Surrey
or
Bargain Booze stores in Bedfordshire?
https://freedomretail.co.uk/our-brands/
Freedom Retail Group Limited , who do local store franchises, are nothing to do with Freedom Retail Limited who are a separate company. Arc Europe customers are mostly gym owners who use them to recover unpaid gym memberships. The registration in the letter is a white Citroen Berlingo.
None of it makes any sense to me at all. I have done as you have all done and Googled various permutations of the names and reference number. None of the vehicles mentioned have anything to do with me and gym membership isn't a thing either. The whole letter just wreaks of scam. I will of course phone first thing on Monday and see what is what. Thank you for assistance chaps.
You mentioned insurance. Freedom Retail Ltd are registered to Spitfire House 142-154 Congleton Road, Talke, Stoke-On-Trent. Which is also the address of One Sure Group who deal with insurance. In fact both companies have the same two director listed.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJq6u74vxaAuxdCr6
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJq6u74vxaAuxdCr6
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
irc said:
You mentioned insurance. Freedom Retail Ltd are registered to Spitfire House 142-154 Congleton Road, Talke, Stoke-On-Trent. Which is also the address of One Sure Group who deal with insurance. In fact both companies have the same two director listed.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJq6u74vxaAuxdCr6
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
One Sure Group isn't something I have ever dealt with and I am beginning to suspect that this is all linked to the fraudulent speeding claim malarkey from June/July this year. As I say, I have never had any correspondence until this regarding the whole affair. I have never defaulted on anything or missed a payment so it really does stink of a scam or fraud.https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJq6u74vxaAuxdCr6
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
J__Wood said:
Is the MW19DXK bit supposed to be an postcode (which it isn't) or a 2019 grey Land Rover Discovery?
My first thought was that "MW19DXK" in the opening post looked like a registration number. But it comes up as a Citroën Berlingo when I checked it at https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=MW19DX...1. Don t Panic or Pay Anything Yet
It s good you haven t agreed to pay or given personal information over the phone. Debt collection letters can sometimes be errors, misattributed accounts, or even scams.
2. Check Who ARC Europe and Freedom Retail Ltd Are
ARC (Europe) Ltd is a real UK debt collection agency. They collect debts for various companies (including utilities, gyms, and retailers).
Freedom Retail Ltd might refer to a mobile phone retailer, electronics retailer, or another consumer company (it could also appear on your bank statement as part of a different brand name).
If you ve never dealt with them, that s important it could be a case of mistaken identity, mis-assigned debt, or even fraud.
3. Verify the Letter
Check the letter for:
ARC Europe s address and company number (should match Companies House record).
A reference number or client name ( Freedom Retail Ltd ).
The amount owed and how to contact them.
If there are spelling mistakes, urgent payment requests, or odd links, it could be a scam letter don t click on anything.
4. Gather Your Records
Before calling them:
Check your email, bank statements, and credit report (from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) for anything mentioning Freedom Retail Ltd or ARC Europe.
If nothing appears, that supports that this may be incorrect.
5. Contact ARC Europe But Carefully
When you call them (Monday at 8:30), you can say something like:
I ve received a letter about an alleged debt to Freedom Retail Ltd. I don t recognise this. Please provide written proof of what this relates to.
Under UK law (the Financial Conduct Authority s rules), they must provide:
Evidence that the debt exists,
Details of the original creditor and agreement,
And stop pursuing you until that s proven.
Ask for everything in writing, and don t confirm personal details other than what s necessary to identify the case (e.g., the reference number).
6. If It s a Mistake or Identity Theft
If they confirm it s not your debt:
Ask them to remove your details and confirm in writing.
Check your credit report again in a few weeks.
If it seems like identity fraud, report it to Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk).
7. If It s a Scam Letter
If you confirm ARC didn t send it, forward details to report@phishing.gov.uk or report to Action Fraud.
It s good you haven t agreed to pay or given personal information over the phone. Debt collection letters can sometimes be errors, misattributed accounts, or even scams.
2. Check Who ARC Europe and Freedom Retail Ltd Are
ARC (Europe) Ltd is a real UK debt collection agency. They collect debts for various companies (including utilities, gyms, and retailers).
Freedom Retail Ltd might refer to a mobile phone retailer, electronics retailer, or another consumer company (it could also appear on your bank statement as part of a different brand name).
If you ve never dealt with them, that s important it could be a case of mistaken identity, mis-assigned debt, or even fraud.
3. Verify the Letter
Check the letter for:
ARC Europe s address and company number (should match Companies House record).
A reference number or client name ( Freedom Retail Ltd ).
The amount owed and how to contact them.
If there are spelling mistakes, urgent payment requests, or odd links, it could be a scam letter don t click on anything.
4. Gather Your Records
Before calling them:
Check your email, bank statements, and credit report (from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) for anything mentioning Freedom Retail Ltd or ARC Europe.
If nothing appears, that supports that this may be incorrect.
5. Contact ARC Europe But Carefully
When you call them (Monday at 8:30), you can say something like:
I ve received a letter about an alleged debt to Freedom Retail Ltd. I don t recognise this. Please provide written proof of what this relates to.
Under UK law (the Financial Conduct Authority s rules), they must provide:
Evidence that the debt exists,
Details of the original creditor and agreement,
And stop pursuing you until that s proven.
Ask for everything in writing, and don t confirm personal details other than what s necessary to identify the case (e.g., the reference number).
6. If It s a Mistake or Identity Theft
If they confirm it s not your debt:
Ask them to remove your details and confirm in writing.
Check your credit report again in a few weeks.
If it seems like identity fraud, report it to Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk).
7. If It s a Scam Letter
If you confirm ARC didn t send it, forward details to report@phishing.gov.uk or report to Action Fraud.
Colonel Cupcake said:
I'd be ignoring that letter if it doesn't say what the debt is for. If it is genuine, they will contact you again with more details.
Whereas I’d ask them for more information and evidence of why they believe this debt applies, as the sooner it gets cleared up the better, especially if there’s a suggestion of some fraud in the OP’s name. RotorRambler said:
1. Don t Panic or Pay Anything Yet
It s good you haven t agreed to pay or given personal information over the phone. Debt collection letters can sometimes be errors, misattributed accounts, or even scams.
2. Check Who ARC Europe and Freedom Retail Ltd Are
ARC (Europe) Ltd is a real UK debt collection agency. They collect debts for various companies (including utilities, gyms, and retailers).
Freedom Retail Ltd might refer to a mobile phone retailer, electronics retailer, or another consumer company (it could also appear on your bank statement as part of a different brand name).
If you ve never dealt with them, that s important it could be a case of mistaken identity, mis-assigned debt, or even fraud.
3. Verify the Letter
Check the letter for:
ARC Europe s address and company number (should match Companies House record).
A reference number or client name ( Freedom Retail Ltd ).
The amount owed and how to contact them.
If there are spelling mistakes, urgent payment requests, or odd links, it could be a scam letter don t click on anything.
4. Gather Your Records
Before calling them:
Check your email, bank statements, and credit report (from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) for anything mentioning Freedom Retail Ltd or ARC Europe.
If nothing appears, that supports that this may be incorrect.
5. Contact ARC Europe But Carefully
When you call them (Monday at 8:30), you can say something like:
I ve received a letter about an alleged debt to Freedom Retail Ltd. I don t recognise this. Please provide written proof of what this relates to.
Under UK law (the Financial Conduct Authority s rules), they must provide:
Evidence that the debt exists,
Details of the original creditor and agreement,
And stop pursuing you until that s proven.
Ask for everything in writing, and don t confirm personal details other than what s necessary to identify the case (e.g., the reference number).
6. If It s a Mistake or Identity Theft
If they confirm it s not your debt:
Ask them to remove your details and confirm in writing.
Check your credit report again in a few weeks.
If it seems like identity fraud, report it to Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk).
7. If It s a Scam Letter
If you confirm ARC didn t send it, forward details to report@phishing.gov.uk or report to Action Fraud.
Thank you so much for the points here. I hadn't thought of checking my credit score so will do so right away. I will also go back through all my statements just in case. Thank you again for going into the details, it really helps It s good you haven t agreed to pay or given personal information over the phone. Debt collection letters can sometimes be errors, misattributed accounts, or even scams.
2. Check Who ARC Europe and Freedom Retail Ltd Are
ARC (Europe) Ltd is a real UK debt collection agency. They collect debts for various companies (including utilities, gyms, and retailers).
Freedom Retail Ltd might refer to a mobile phone retailer, electronics retailer, or another consumer company (it could also appear on your bank statement as part of a different brand name).
If you ve never dealt with them, that s important it could be a case of mistaken identity, mis-assigned debt, or even fraud.
3. Verify the Letter
Check the letter for:
ARC Europe s address and company number (should match Companies House record).
A reference number or client name ( Freedom Retail Ltd ).
The amount owed and how to contact them.
If there are spelling mistakes, urgent payment requests, or odd links, it could be a scam letter don t click on anything.
4. Gather Your Records
Before calling them:
Check your email, bank statements, and credit report (from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) for anything mentioning Freedom Retail Ltd or ARC Europe.
If nothing appears, that supports that this may be incorrect.
5. Contact ARC Europe But Carefully
When you call them (Monday at 8:30), you can say something like:
I ve received a letter about an alleged debt to Freedom Retail Ltd. I don t recognise this. Please provide written proof of what this relates to.
Under UK law (the Financial Conduct Authority s rules), they must provide:
Evidence that the debt exists,
Details of the original creditor and agreement,
And stop pursuing you until that s proven.
Ask for everything in writing, and don t confirm personal details other than what s necessary to identify the case (e.g., the reference number).
6. If It s a Mistake or Identity Theft
If they confirm it s not your debt:
Ask them to remove your details and confirm in writing.
Check your credit report again in a few weeks.
If it seems like identity fraud, report it to Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk).
7. If It s a Scam Letter
If you confirm ARC didn t send it, forward details to report@phishing.gov.uk or report to Action Fraud.
Speed Matters | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff