CRS chasing me for alleged debt

[DanC2]

Hi sorry to jump on this post. 

I am also being chased by this company for a debt I am unaware of, of £36. Nothing on my credit file to suggest I owe anything, or in arrears. 

I also attempted to pay this company via Google pay (which is an option) in an attempt to not give them my current home address and details. This payment failed - I can only assume they do not accept Google pay, as the next window asked for every personal detail you can think of.

Anyway since being transferred to 02 I can no longer even log onto virgin media, I have had 0 correspondence of said debt owed from them. 

The issue I have, is I will be attempting to buy over the next year a d could do without my credit being attacked for £36. At the same time I do not want them having every detail of me to then be sold to other companies etc. 

So how do we go about resolving this apparent debt. With contact to virgin media apparently impossible. All just seems a bit of a joke. 

We still use virgin media broadband but it is not in my name, however unfortunately after this we will probably move. 

Thanks

[MOD EDIT: Post split to create own thread]

[japitts]

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@DanC2 wrote:

Hi sorry to jump on this post. 

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@DanC2 Your post has been moved to a new thread.

Sounds like you've received a letter from a DCA, but then admit there's nothing on your credit file to suggest a reason for this - I'd want to square this circle before going any further.

If your credit file can't explain the reason for this alleged debt, I would be querying with the DCA the basis for their demands - without digging into the process, I have vague recollection of a written communication to the effect of "debt is denied" being one of the first steps.

And if you're unsure as to the basis for the debt, why are you attempting to pay them? If there were a default shown on your credit file, then settling said default is admittance of its validity and correct process is for the default to remain but show as settled. For 6 years any lender can see that you were late paying, admitted as much and then paid late.

[DanC2]

Hi

I have approx five emails over the last 2 months the first starting with.

From CRS

"JC International Acquisition have asked us to contact you regarding VIRGIN MOBILE to sort out the payment of £36.00 that is outstanding on your account. We aim to get you out of debt easily, quickly and affordably. 

The balance relates to VIRGIN MOBILE."

I hate hassle and over £36 I'd rather pay it then have any. However I'm not willing to give up all personal data which they clearly do not have as they only have email communication with myself. 

Although I have just flicked back through my Experian again and It doesn't even have virgin media on there, O2 is though where I was transferred to last year. That is fine. Or does virgin show as something else on credit? My Experian does show 0 defaults though. 

So my question is, if I leave this will it eventually come back to bite me? If not resolved.

I also fully understand this company may rely on people like me who can not be **bleep** with the hassle and just pay it? Now payment failed via Google pay I will not attempt pay again. 

Thank you. 

[japitts]

A few years back I did a lot of research into dealing with DCA's who chase you for alleged debts, and although most of it is now hazy, "debt is denied" is something that stuck with me. A quick Google search found https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/your-rights/disputing-debts-with-creditors.aspx which appears to offer sound advice.

Virgin Mobile transferred all their user base across to O2 since sometime last year (can't recall the exact date), but it could feasibly appear on credit files under either name. If your credit file doesn't show any defaults that appear relevant, I would question the validity of the alleged debt and begin to wonder whether the DCA was "pulling a fast one" in technical terms.

If you do have a default showing and you are unsure of the validity, paying it is the last thing you should do. It won't remove the entry from your file, but show it as "settled" for 6 years - which tells any prospective lender that you were late paying, appeared to have walked away from the debt before being chased for it. and then paid up late.

If your credit file shows all-clear, I would be seriously questioning what the DCA says and potentially treating it as "demanding money with menaces" - something which the local Police could potentially be interested in.

[Ayisha_B]

Hi @DanC2 👋

Welcome to our Community Forums and thanks for your post. 

I am sorry to hear you are being chased for a debt relating to a mobile account. 

We migrated all mobile accounts to O2 so can you clarify if you have spoken to O2 regarding this at all?

[DanC2]

Hi thanks for reply. 

I have not yet spoke To O2, I will try them tomorrow. So my credit report shows O2 as 0 defaults and clear. And as above virgin media does not show on my report. As it's technically the same agreement, would this be why, assuming it is that mobile account CRS are referring to. It's not my first over the last 10 years. 

I will update tomorrow after I have made the call. 

Thank you

[Matthew_ML]

Okay thank you for letting us know.

Please do keep us updated on the matter.

All mobiles went over to O2 so they no longer belong to Virgin Mobile.

[japitts]

There's a lot to be said, for only dealing with (unscrupulous) DCA's in writing. If they're of a certain persuasion, they can be masters at twisting verbal communications & being very selective in what they make notes of.

Letters and/or emails don't allow the same scope for selection. I may be doing this DCA a disservice.

[DanC2]

Hi

I have just spoken to 02 and no historical debt was transferred to them which also ties in with my credit report, as that shows 0 defaults. Added with no history of even being with Virgin Media on my credit report. 

Is it worth me confirming with virgin media also? 

O2 said it might be worth calling the company chasing to see what it is. But if it's not on any of my credit history then I think I will just block the mails? How does that sound to you all? 

Thank you 

[DanC2]

Just noticed they have an old address from atleast 2018. 3 addresses ago for me. Which means it is unlikely to be related to my current mobile account.

I'll try attempt contact with virgin and see what they say. But again nothing on credit. 

Thanks