Question:
I had a letter from a debt collection agency the other day. Usual
condescending stuff. I noticed that the agency did not publish their
address on the letter, and only offered a telephone number to pay by
credit/debit card. The fact that a debt exists is not in dispute, but
I am in dispute with the company concerned over the exact amount. I'm
dealing direct with the company concerned anyway, and am happy to
ignore the DCA, but hypothetically, assuming I believe I owe £100 and
they say I owe £150, if I call them and authorise them to debit £100
from my _debit_ card, what would be my recourse if they then deducted
£150? As it happens, I have a bank transfer set up to the original
company concerned, and have paid £25 directly to them as a good faith
payment until the exact amount in dispute has been sorted.
On a similar note, if I receive demands from a DCA, and ask my bank to
pay the balance directly to the original company by bank transfer
(i.e. payment cannot be refused), would I be liable for any charges
the DCA add _after_ I have paid?
Mostly curious, but you never know when it could be handy...
Answer:
-Record the call. If they debit more, make a fraud complaint to your CC company or bank.
-Do not deal with the DCA, deal only with the original company.
You are not liable for any charges the DCA adds but they will of
course deduct their charges before paying over the money to the
creditor. Deal with the creditor direct.
