ANY LEGAL EXPERT out there. ASAP

[kt.]

My wife cleared closed her catalogue account with Littlewoods Direct 19-20 months ago. 2 weeks ago we got a letter with a statement produced last month saying we owed £115 from 20 months ago. We complained and have been sent another letter today. They have said they found a payment that had been made and our balance should read £77.

It is my understanding that as we had confirmed clearance from them the account was closed  that was the catalogues account closed. I phoned today and was told the balance is correct. How could we of cleared the account, not to have any more correspondence or dialogue with the company, then they reappear after all this time to say this?

Customer services told me they would email the relevant department. I asked for their contact telephone number... there isn't one (hhhmmm). I asked for the department name... the department does not have a name (hhmmm).

I told them I have no intention of paying a penny and to send me a court summons to see them in court.

What next? Any advice as to where we stand is most welcome

[kt.]

[ACE]

Start getting a taste for porridge. :o

[tomatoada]

You must get expert advice.

Bad credit rating.

Visit from  baliffs.

Some solicitors run a free advice service or try the neibourhood office.

[Bill Door]

Suggest that you get out the old paperwork and compare it with what they show.  See if there are any payments that they have missed or any sales that you never received or items that you returned that they have included in the bill.

It is going to be awkward but if you find items that they have missed and they are in your favour then you could use that to back up your position when you go to county court.

By the way I would not sit back and let them walk away with it do keep up a dialogue right up to any court hearing.

As far as whether it is due or not I can't be sure.  have you spoken to citizens advice?

Good luck always bad to get these things when you believe they are finished.

Bill

[springbok]

Contact BBC Watchdog, they have had similar complaints about this.  Email them and explain what has happened.

[kt.]

I only shredded all the old statements 3 weeks ago. We asked what items were unpaid. They can't say. They said it was a balance from another account but can't tell us which one.

I asked for a copy of the email they were forwarding on to the other department. They are not allowed to send emails to us that are meant for another recipient.

[tomatoada]

How did you pay?  If by credit card the statmentment should show a record of your payments.

[kt.]

How did you pay?  If by credit card the statmentment should show a record of your payments.

Have electronic  bank statements for over a year but short of the said date. Do not have statements over this age due to the long time frame. We would need all copies of statements from the company to cross reference. But they did say the account was clear. They usually are the first to hound people who do not pay.

[debster]

you can get copies of statements from the bank i had a problem where a solicitor said i owed money but i proved all the cheques had been paid and cashed by them. were you paying through an agent if so have they paid the bills ask them or the information the time they take to supply it should allow you to sort the bank details out from your end
good luck

[kitten]

Yes i remember seeing something similar to this on watchdog too, so defo get in touch with them.

Do not pay anything until they can explain where the amount has come from and provide you with evidence.  If this is legit they'll be able to tell you exactly what products you purchased, when you bought them, how much they were etc.

If they can't prove to you why you owe them the money i doubt they'd be able to convince a court either.

Good luck!

[valmarg]

Call their bluff.  As you have all your paperwork in order, tell them that you will be more than happy to see them in court!!

valmarg

[caroline7758]

If they won't listen to you, I'd certainly recommend going to Citizens Advice. I work for them and it's amazing what a difference some C.A.B. headed notepaper makes sometimes!

[rosebud]

I had the very same trouble with GREAT UNIVERSAL Since May last year & i am still fighting with them & i have all my statements and confirmation of payments from THEM. I am now fighting for compensation for all the hassle & threatening me with a credit agency.  I shall fight on & On they will not get the better of me for something that was their mistake the B&&&&&ds.
Go to the CAB, very good peeps.

DO NOT GIVE UP & CHECK WITH YOUR BANK FOR PAYMENT DETAILS.
Make an appointment & they will sort them out  for you OK.Rosebud.

[springbok]

They did the same to me.  I never had their catalogue and got a bill.

Apparently I had ordered all sorts from stereo to dining room table.

I asked for them to prove that I signed delivery notes etc as they went to bailiffs.

One phone call to Three counties radio.. the consumer program.. was sorted.  THey didnt have a leg to stand on.

Contact Watchdog coz people all over the country are having similar problems with them.  Its usually computer error!!!!.

[SamLouise]

Ok, my friend has had this trouble recently and I'll try to remember the legal advice she was offered.

Firstly, YOU ask THEM for statements covering all said periods.  If they cannot provide them, don't pay them.  If they threaten you with court say, "ok, I'll see you there" (these are the solicitors exact words, not mine) and watch what happens.
If they are not leaving you means to contact them, then let it be.  Let them continue to come to you.
There is a time limit that companies seeking money must stick to, once this date has passed, they have no right to claim it.  I don't remember the length of time, you will have to check that with your local citizens advice bureau.
The solicitor told my friend if they consistently and repeatedly fail to come up with any proof/evidence of said outstanding payments, then start putting their letters in the bin and never acknowledge their receipt.  If they call you, again ask them for proof or you will see them in court and stick to your guns!  This went on with my friend for over two years and it was very hard for her to follow this advice with the fear of ending up in court - but of course that never happened because there were no outstanding monies!

Make the effort to visit your CAB, they cannot be recommended enough I can assure you.  They have qualified legal experts to give you advice on the spot.

Edit:  Just remembered something else.  The solicitor at the CAB that my friend and I went to, took down the details of said bogus people and wrote them a very strong, legally worded document on her behalf.  Why don't you request the same of yours?

[oggiesnr]

Keep a record of all dealings with them and make a note of all the people you talk to (ideally do it all by letter). 

The rest of the advice here is sound.

Also be aware that harrasment by a creditor is an offence.

Also when the dust settles check your Credit Rating via Experian or similar just to check they haven't put anything on it.

Steve

[Oldhippy]

Always check the credit rating when something like this happens - it`s not always an accurate reflection of your situation.
My son had a nasty experience with one of those `buy a sofa today and pay nothing until next year`places.
He signed a direct debit form for `next year` but the company failed to activate it at the right time and he was contacted by a debt collection agency. When he realised what had happened he told the Collection Agency who said - "Well, you may as well pay us now, it`ll come to the same thing."
Then he found that his credit rating had been crashed because, as he had paid the collection people,  he was deemed to be a bad debtor!
Took him ages to correct the injustice! >:(

[Old bird]

Hi,

I work for solicitors but would suggest that rather than let this cost you any money you go to Citizens Advice.  Before doing so - write to the company and get them to send you all relevant paperwork (otherwise Citizens Advice won't be able to help much).  Don't worry too much though!

They may huff and puff a bit but in the whole scheme of things this isn't a large amount of money to them.  The CAB should write them a letter which they will take more notice of rather than an individual.

Good luck

Old Bird

:o

[Barnowl]

Keep a copy of any letters you send to them.

[SamLouise]

So ...... any news, KT?  Have you been to seek advice from anybody?