Fair game with debt collectors

[purplepolarbear]

Friend is being called twice a day by a well-known firm of debt collectors for a sum of about £300. She disputes the debt and has written to them explaining her reasons for this and to deal only in writing but they ignore this. She would be happy for the matter to be heard in court.

We have managed to find out some details about the directors and employees of the debt collectors (from publicly available sources). What are the limits of what it is legal to do with these that will cause them as much grief as possible and don't fall foul of any harrassment laws?

[mat13]

VBRJ?

[Oakey]

If they phone more than twelve times a week it's harassment. I think.

[purplepolarbear]

Oakey said:

If they phone more than twelve times a week it's harassment. I think.

Does this mean it's OK to call their directors up to 12 times a week - are there any restrictions as to what time of day?

[purplepolarbear]

mat13 said:

VBRJ?

They will probably enjoy this which isn't what I wanted.

[GTIR]

Tell the original outstanding monies is with their customer and you are in dispute with then so you will have to tell them to refer back to them. I forgot the terminology but its all legal.

Something to do with the original contract and Contracts Act 1986 or something.

Being chased for eBay fees even though I paid it ages ago.

[purplepolarbear]

We've tried writing to them saying it's in dispute but they have ignored this.

[HiRich]

Oakey said:

If they phone more than twelve times a week it's harassment. I think.

Just two instances, in any period, can constitute harassment under SOCPA (Serious Organised Crime & Policing Act).
So a good statring point would be to ask them to repeat their name, then state the time and date, and advise them that "I am obliged to tell you that this call is being recorded for Police evidence." Then just state that you have already advised that the matter is in dispute and you are only prepared to discuss it in writing
Also wise to
a) Actually record it
b) Make a complaint to the Police
c) Threaten action against both creditor and collector.

[shakotan]

And charge them for time taken. "By phoning me within the next week, you agree on behalf of your company to permitting me to charge you at a rate of £75 per hour, minimum fee £75."

[shakotan]

And charge them for time taken. "By phoning me within the next week, you agree on behalf of your company to permitting me to charge you at a rate of £75 per hour, minimum fee £75."

[ShadownINja]

And charge them for time taken. "By phoning me within the next week, you agree on behalf of your company to permitting me to charge you at a rate of £75 per hour, minimum fee £75."

[Rollcage]

Hello?

Why cant people just check the thread?





Anyway, if you are disputing the debt then the company should not be contacting you - cant state the laws concerned but there are a good many forums out there which will give you excellent advice, and help with pro-forma letters,etc.

[ShadownINja]

That'll be the "Pistonheads has experienced an error. Please click back and try again."

I suspect it's doing it again. This thread doesn't like me.

The message is "Sorry, something's not quite right.
The technical team have been notified."

[ianash]

Try this.

BT has a service called 'Choose to Refuse' which might help if the client is getting a lot of calls from an unpleasant creditor. The call barring works by keying in a pin number after a call. The caller will then get an automated message if the client does not wish to take their call when they ring. There is a charge for this service. More information about 'Choose to Refuse' can be found on the BT website at www.bt.com.

[ianash]

Try this.

BT has a service called 'Choose to Refuse' which might help if the client is getting a lot of calls from an unpleasant creditor. The call barring works by keying in a pin number after a call. The caller will then get an automated message if the client does not wish to take their call when they ring. There is a charge for this service. More information about 'Choose to Refuse' can be found on the BT website at www.bt.com.

[ianash]

Try this.

BT has a service called 'Choose to Refuse' which might help if the client is getting a lot of calls from an unpleasant creditor. The call barring works by keying in a pin number after a call. The caller will then get an automated message if the client does not wish to take their call when they ring. There is a charge for this service. More information about 'Choose to Refuse' can be found on the BT website at www.bt.com.

[4nonymous]

Why do you guys keep on clicking submit and ending up with 300 replies

[ShadownINja]

4nonymous said:

Why do you guys keep on clicking submit and ending up with 300 replies

We're not. We're being told to retry as there was a problem.

[Rollcage]

Well ,you can assume your message has been posted, actually!

[shakotan]

Rollcage said:

Well ,you can assume your message has been posted, actually!

And charge them for time taken. "By phoning me within the next week, you agree on behalf of your company to permitting me to charge you at a rate of £75 per hour, minimum fee £75."