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Outstanding Debt Scam
Following a number of complaints to Consumer Direct, the OFT is warning consumers not to respond to letters claiming to be from an international debt collecting company.
The mailing from ‘AstraDelph International Debt Collection', which is headed ‘Notice of Issue of Litigation Proceedings', states that an outstanding debt is owed to an electronics website and that the debt has been passed on to them for recovery. The letter goes on to explain that failure to pay could result in legal proceedings, a County Court Judgement or a visit from doorstep collectors, unless the recipient contacts them immediately on one of the numbers provided. The office address for AstraDelph is stated to be in the Czech Republic, and the international telephone numbers, which are not being answered, appear to be in Liechtenstein.
Consumer Direct has received a large number of calls from consumers who have received these letters, particularly in the East Midlands area. Consumers have complained that they have never placed orders with the electronics website in question. The OFT is currently investigating.
Christine Wade, OFT Assistant Chief Executive, Consumer Advice and Trading Standards said: ‘Anyone who receives one of these threatening letters should ignore it and not send money off or ring any of the numbers listed. If you are unsure what to do contact Consumer Direct immediately.'
You can contact Consumer Direct for clear, practical advice on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
NOTES
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It offers consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. All consumer credit debt collectors operating in the UK must hold a Consumer Credit Licence and adhere to the guidelines set out by the OFT Debt Collection Guidance 2003. The OFT consider it to be unfair business practice to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear, inaccurate or misleading manner including asking or instructing debtors to make contact on premium rate telephone numbers.
3. Only a court can decide whether a contract exists and whether a business is liable to pay a debt. If a claim is issued against an individual, that individual will have a fixed time period in which to respond by either disputing or admitting all or part of the claim. A disputed debt can only be enforced by a court. Only a court can instruct bailiffs. Debt collectors are not bailiffs and cannot attempt to collect payment by taking direct action, such as seizing goods. Mark Abbott NHW and CRO Wiltshire Police mark.abbott@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
www.nhw-wilts.org.uk
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