Help me pls, virgin have sent debt collectors unfairly

[worried]

Hello guys, here's my story.
I had virgin internet until july of this year, when I moved house. I rang virgin to cancel my account but they still sent me post so i rang them again (they said that they had no record of my first call) and cancelled my account again. However, unknown to me, my account continued to remain active. I went into the bank and cancelled the standing order in late july. This morning I got a phone call from a debt collection agency who tell me
1) there is no record of me ever trying to close my account with virgin
2) I owe £90
3) Legal action is immanent

Can anyone give me advice?

[Kymmy]

Firstly put a letter in writing to VM detailing everything that has happened and that you dipute the monie owed.

After you've sent the letter simply tell the debt recovery people ONLY if they contact you again that the debt is in dispute and as such no legal/recovery action can be taken by a 3rd party in recovery of the debt until the dispute is settled. They will try to tell you all sorts of stories and try to persuade you to settle (hence DO NOT try to contact them but instead deal with VM) as the debt recovery firm is only interested in thier profits and not VM or the dispute. The legal action in immenant is purely a scare tactic to make you pay.. BTW, who told you that there is no record of your account not being closed? VM or the debt recovery people? If the latter then how would they know as the do NOT have access to your account only the amount owing and who it's was owing too..

Can someone who know's better confirm this and perhaps link to the relevant laws regarding disputed debts..

[haydnwalker]

Also, just to add to what Kymmy has said.

Whenever you phone VM. Get the name of the agent (full name if they will give it), the date and time of the conversation, and if someone says "OK sir you account is closed" ask them to confirm it in writing. Also ask them to note the conversation on your account.

[Stuart]

I'd follow Kymmy's advice. Bailiffs are not always very good at communicating with the companies that hire them. I had a similar experience. I was not in debt, but a meter reading company had arranged (several times) to read my meter, and had failed to turn up on every occassion. They eventually called in a Bailiff who gave me the same threats as you seem to have recieved. I was getting threats because I was apparently refusing access to the meter reader, and was apparently refusing to arrange appointments for them. Neither is (or was) true. No meter reader ever turned up (and I mean ever, my house is occupied 24 hours a day) and no one ever called me to arrange an appointment (I called them, but they would only ever give my number to the meter reader to arrange his own appointments).

In my case (and I'd also advise you to do this), I went to the local Citizen's Advice bureau, who phoned the power company (Npower) and the Bailiffs. 30 seconds after I left the CAB, I got a phone call from the meter reader arranging an appointment.

I mention CAB because they can advise you of your rights in this, and also (as the advisor told me) because companies are sometimes a little more inclined to sit up and listen to someone from the CAB (who should know at least a little about the law) than they would be an average person (who may or may not know a little about the law).

If you wish to, send me your real name, account number, address and a contact phone number and I'll refer this to the site's contacts within VM.

[Wayfair]

Worried, take up Stuarts offer 'If you wish to, send me your real name, account number, address and a contact phone number and I'll refer this to the site's contacts within VM.'

Time and time again they have managed to help people like yourself without the stress and hassle you will no doubt encounter if you try and sort it on your own.

Top marks for the site to be able to offer this help is what I say.

[worried]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

I'd follow Kymmy's advice. Bailiffs are not always very good at communicating with the companies that hire them. I had a similar experience. I was not in debt, but a meter reading company had arranged (several times) to read my meter, and had failed to turn up on every occassion. They eventually called in a Bailiff who gave me the same threats as you seem to have recieved. I was getting threats because I was apparently refusing access to the meter reader, and was apparently refusing to arrange appointments for them. Neither is (or was) true. No meter reader ever turned up (and I mean ever, my house is occupied 24 hours a day) and no one ever called me to arrange an appointment (I called them, but they would only ever give my number to the meter reader to arrange his own appointments).

In my case (and I'd also advise you to do this), I went to the local Citizen's Advice bureau, who phoned the power company (Npower) and the Bailiffs. 30 seconds after I left the CAB, I got a phone call from the meter reader arranging an appointment.

I mention CAB because they can advise you of your rights in this, and also (as the advisor told me) because companies are sometimes a little more inclined to sit up and listen to someone from the CAB (who should know at least a little about the law) than they would be an average person (who may or may not know a little about the law).

If you wish to, send me your real name, account number, address and a contact phone number and I'll refer this to the site's contacts within VM.

That's a great offer Stuart and thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the CAB was swamped today so they suggested queing outside their office on monday morning before opening times. With no present income and Jobseekers still pending this is not something I can afford to pay just to get rid of them, please look out for my pm

[damian78]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

I'd follow Kymmy's advice. Bailiffs are not always very good at communicating with the companies that hire them. I had a similar experience. I was not in debt, but a meter reading company had arranged (several times) to read my meter, and had failed to turn up on every occassion. They eventually called in a Bailiff who gave me the same threats as you seem to have recieved. I was getting threats because I was apparently refusing access to the meter reader, and was apparently refusing to arrange appointments for them. Neither is (or was) true. No meter reader ever turned up (and I mean ever, my house is occupied 24 hours a day) and no one ever called me to arrange an appointment (I called them, but they would only ever give my number to the meter reader to arrange his own appointments).

In my case (and I'd also advise you to do this), I went to the local Citizen's Advice bureau, who phoned the power company (Npower) and the Bailiffs. 30 seconds after I left the CAB, I got a phone call from the meter reader arranging an appointment.

I mention CAB because they can advise you of your rights in this, and also (as the advisor told me) because companies are sometimes a little more inclined to sit up and listen to someone from the CAB (who should know at least a little about the law) than they would be an average person (who may or may not know a little about the law).

If you wish to, send me your real name, account number, address and a contact phone number and I'll refer this to the site's contacts within VM.

Apologies for hijacking this thread - Stuart, have you received my PM's? I've sent some, but it's still showing as 0 sent. If so, sincere apologies for spamming you I'll stop now.

[worried]

holy WOW! I don't know what you told them but they have reset the account to zero. If you live near the address I sent you, you have to let me buy you a drink. Many, many thanks Stuart

[MovedGoalPosts]

Glad to hear that the Cable Forum touch worked for you

[haydnwalker]

I haven't heard of a time when the CF Touch hasn't worked yet Rob