The following conversation took place on Friday evening. It is not a work of fiction. And whilst it's not verbatim, it's pretty close to the actual dialogue, although I've edited it and shortened it to avoid repetition. In reality it lasted 15 minutes
Me: Hello. It's about that £253 you say I owe to Orange. Your reference is 10847259XYZ-14
Justin: Yes. We've bought the debt from Orange.
Me: Why would anyone buy a debt?
Justin: It's our business. We're debt collectors.
Me: Ah. I see. You buy debts at a reduced rate and then extract the full amount and make a profit. Rather like the parable of the Unjust Steward?
Justin: How would you like to pay your debt William?
Me: I'm not going to pay this debt because I don't owe Orange a penny. I just thought it would be polite to let you know so you don't worry about it.
Justin: If you don't pay, it could affect your credit rating.
Me: I don't use credit so it's not a problem.
Justin: What's your full name and date of birth?
Me: What's yours?
Justin: I'm not allowed to divulge that kind of information.
Me: Why not? You've got all my personal data on a screen in front of you.
Justin: How do you propose to pay your debt?
Me: I don't owe Orange any money. I've been a customer for 15 years and paid monthly by direct debit.
Justin: You owe £253.
Me: Can you tell me when the debt was incurred and what it was for and why Orange didn't debit me at the time?
Justin: It was incurred in December 2012 for your mobile telephone.
Me: So it happened two years ago nearly. Why haven't Orange tried to get the money from me?
Justin: They have. You've been ignoring their letters.
Me: I don't ignore letters. Why do you think I'm responding to your letter if I haven't responded to theirs?
Justin: If you give me your email address I'll send you more details.
Me: I don't want my inbox cluttered with your emails. I get enough junk mail as it is. How do I know this isn't a scam?
Justin: Or I can take you mobile number.
Me: It's the same number as I've had with Orange for the last 15 years.
Justin: It can't be. They will have cancelled your contract.
Me: No I still have a contract with Orange - or EE as they now call themselves.
Justin: But with a different number.
Me: I can assure you I still have the same number. Why don't you ring off and try the number you have on the screen in front of you.
Silence. Ring ring.
Me: Hello Justin. What did I tell you?
Justin: If you don't settle this account within four weeks, we'll contact you again.
Me: That's fine, but I probably won't telephone you back. May I suggest you contact Orange to find out more about this alleged debt?
Justin: I'm now going to terminate this conversation.
Me: I've enjoyed talking to you. May I wish you a very happy weekend.
Silence
Comments
New comment
Oh god
We had bailiffs on our doorstep once as the previous occupants of the house we bought hadn't paid a stack of bills. I tried to be helpful but somehow made it worse.
New comment
They can't collect a disputed debt and if an agent tell EE to call them off. If they have bought your debt it is tougher to get them to go away as they know some people will pay up just to get rid of them even though they owe nothing. You seem up to speed, maybe slamming them with the rule book will get them to go away. Good luck.
New comment
Thanks Jonathan and Catherine. This really can be a trap for the unwary. These agents obviously work on a percentage basis. It can't be worth their while to pursue anyone in court because the judges in a small claims court would simply say we don't owe the debt collectors per se any money. Furthermore this firm doesn't actually know how the debt ws incurred. I do hope this is helpful to other people who find themselves in a similar situation. Unfortunately they can still damage your credit rating and you won't know about it until your try to get a store credit card. I think it's scandalous. I'm just waiting for them to send us a bogus solicitor's letter demanding payment, in which case I'll send them a letter charging for my time and asking for damages for wounded feelings, insomnia and panic attacks. Watch this space...
New comment
I'll be very interested to hear how it goes.