exterminator:

Although they are able to state they will pay a visit, they have absolutely no legal right to access or to enter your property without your express invitation... or a formal warrant issued by the court.

I would suggest that you post by recorded delivery a edited (to suit your circumstances) copy of the letter below asking them to forward documented details of this alleged debt, the letter also includes a paragraph and explains that their proposed visit is not welcome.

........................................................ ........................................................

Your name address & Date.
Dear Sir/Madam
Account / ref no.(if known)

You have contacted me/us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

Any planned visit by your representative(s) to my property is NOT welcome and will be met with a refusal to enter my premises, followed with the request of Police attendance should that be necessary.

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide documented evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

I/we await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I/we look forward to your reply within 28 days.

Yours faithfully [print name]

Sound advice, but really why bother? I would recommend not fanning the fires & showing all your cards until it has been established whether or not a bill actually exists.

Cheers,

Dear Tired Mommy,

Firstly, do not panic. If you had a contractual relationship it was with T-Mobile not the debt company.

When you have stopped panicing, calmly write a letter to Meritforce Doorstep Collection Agency and send it signed for. I think the following would suffice for the time being.


Dear Sirs,


Thank you for your letter xx/xx/xx reference xxxxxx.

Please could you provide copy invoices from T-Mobile to support your claim and a copy of a letter of instruction from T-Mobile confirming that they have asked you to act on their behalf.

Kind Regards,


Tired Mommy


Then chill out, have a cup of tea and don't worry. If someone turns up at your door, politely refuse to open it and tell them to refer to the letter when they get back to the office. Do not open the door, you have no legal obligation to do so and it is harder to end a discussion with a trained professional once it has started.

If and when you get an answer post it on the forum and we shall move forward.

Source: 20 years consultancy, including billing (and T-Mobile International), to the mobile industry on a global basis.

Thanks so very much for your help. Will send that letter off tomorrow and I will let you know how I get on.

Tired Mommy

Although they are able to state they will pay a visit, they have absolutely no legal right to access or to enter your property without your express invitation... or a formal warrant issued by the court.

I would suggest that you post by recorded delivery a edited (to suit your circumstances) copy of the letter below asking them to forward documented details of this alleged debt, the letter also includes a paragraph and explains that their proposed visit is not welcome.

........................................................ ........................................................

Your name address & Date.
Dear Sir/Madam
Account / ref no.(if known)

You have contacted me/us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

Any planned visit by your representative(s) to my property is NOT welcome and will be met with a refusal to enter my premises, followed with the request of Police attendance should that be necessary.

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide documented evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

I/we await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I/we look forward to your reply within 28 days.

Yours faithfully [print name]

I have today received a letter from a debt collection agency acting on behalf of Tmobile. The letter is demanding a payment of over £800 for an outstanding mobile bill. I don't remember ever having an outstanding bill for such an enormous amount.

The letter says they are sending a representative to my house within the next 10 days to discus this matter.

Can anybody advise me as to how I can get information as to what this relates to.

Do I have any legal right to deny them access to my home. What right do they have for access.

The letter does say if I ignore it, they will consider formal proceedings.

The company is Meritforce Doorstep Collection Agency.
It says it is an authorised collector visit.

Any help will be gratefully received as I have not got a clue what it's for and my husband will hit the roof.

Thanks
Tired Mommy