Debt Letter from Buchanan Clark & Wells
Discussion
Got a letter addressed to my house but with a different name. We have lived there for 13 years and never received any mail for this person previously.
The letter is a Debt notificiation of an outstanding payment of £560 to E-ON power for a different property.
I was unsure if it was a mistake at first but the line "If there are any matter that you would like to bring to our attention in relation to this debt, then please call us" made the voices in my head shout "SCAM SCAM".
Now, I have no intention of calling them (but considered calling E-ON to notify them of the letter) and will return any future mail back to sender.
I was just wondering if anyone had any dealings with these guys. A google search brings up all sorts of horrors.
The letter is a Debt notificiation of an outstanding payment of £560 to E-ON power for a different property.
I was unsure if it was a mistake at first but the line "If there are any matter that you would like to bring to our attention in relation to this debt, then please call us" made the voices in my head shout "SCAM SCAM".
Now, I have no intention of calling them (but considered calling E-ON to notify them of the letter) and will return any future mail back to sender.
I was just wondering if anyone had any dealings with these guys. A google search brings up all sorts of horrors.
It wasn't these people but I had a similar thing happen to me a few years ago. Best thing to do is ring AON using the number quoted on your bill and ask about it. If they don't know anything about it it's obviously a scam, and if it is genuine then at least you've let them know that there's been an error in their system. In my case it was someone who had used my address to avoid paying arrears and it was sorted in minutes.
Money saving forums ...
I was an employee with BCW Group, and I would like to, anonymously, share my experiences of them, and hopefully help people who currently have their debt with this company.
BCW are a debt collection organisation. Some of their clients include: British Gas, Scottish Power, E.On, powergen, etc. Local councils for council tax collection. Most large mobile phone companies.
I am speaking out as an ex-employee because this company's 'tactics' are appalling.
The only thing they are concerned with is getting as much money as possible out of you - regardless of your circumstances.
First of all, BCW have a 'three call' strategy.
This is as follows.
You will receive a letter from BCW stating that it is a 'formal/final demand for payment'. You will be urged to contact a premium rate telephone line to make payment.
The person you are connected with is trained to ONLY EVER accept payment in full the first time you call. Therefore, when you call and say you cannot afford payment in full, they will tell you to go and try and find the money and will give you 48 hours to do so.
The second call you make, if you say you could not source the money, they will offer you:
50% payment now and 50% payment next month. Or 50% then 25% then 25%.
Only on the third phone call will you be offered a monthly payment plan option, up to 12 months.
BCW make an extra charge (min £2) when paying by credit/debit card over the phone.
Their call centre is very much a competition-based environment, whereby bonuses are given to 'top collectors'.
As you can imagine - 'top collectors' are ruthless.
During my training - I was told to 'take payment at all costs'. Never fob callers off to the client (i.e. british gas) - just make excuses for the charges and take payment.
We were told to "imply" court action, baliffs, credit blacklisting - as means to make the caller pay.
We were always told NEVER to tell the caller that they WILL end up in court, etc - however that 'May/Might/Possible' court action,etc was a good tactic.
If you fail to call BCW and they have your telephone number - they will call you. They can call you every single day if they don't feel that you are trying hard enough to pay or not paying.
Debt is written off if they cannot trace you/ you can prove you are bankrupt./ you can prove the original client is deceased/ you prove you are on a debt prepayment plan with a recognised authority and obtaining payment from you would be uneconomical to pursue.
There are non-premium rate telephone numbers to get through to them - please see their website for numbers.
Please note that at the time I was employed - BCW staff were told to obey all data protection act rules and regulations. Training involved a lot knowing about the regulations in place, and we were tested on them.
Anyone flaunting the rules was automatically fired - on the spot.
This is because complaints are costly to their fortune, and they don't tolerate it - at least, in theory.
If you ask to speak to a line manager - you must be put through or called back as soon as possible.
If you ask for your telephone number to be removed from their system - they MUST do it, so long as they have an address they can write to you at.
DB.
I was an employee with BCW Group, and I would like to, anonymously, share my experiences of them, and hopefully help people who currently have their debt with this company.
BCW are a debt collection organisation. Some of their clients include: British Gas, Scottish Power, E.On, powergen, etc. Local councils for council tax collection. Most large mobile phone companies.
I am speaking out as an ex-employee because this company's 'tactics' are appalling.
The only thing they are concerned with is getting as much money as possible out of you - regardless of your circumstances.
First of all, BCW have a 'three call' strategy.
This is as follows.
You will receive a letter from BCW stating that it is a 'formal/final demand for payment'. You will be urged to contact a premium rate telephone line to make payment.
The person you are connected with is trained to ONLY EVER accept payment in full the first time you call. Therefore, when you call and say you cannot afford payment in full, they will tell you to go and try and find the money and will give you 48 hours to do so.
The second call you make, if you say you could not source the money, they will offer you:
50% payment now and 50% payment next month. Or 50% then 25% then 25%.
Only on the third phone call will you be offered a monthly payment plan option, up to 12 months.
BCW make an extra charge (min £2) when paying by credit/debit card over the phone.
Their call centre is very much a competition-based environment, whereby bonuses are given to 'top collectors'.
As you can imagine - 'top collectors' are ruthless.
During my training - I was told to 'take payment at all costs'. Never fob callers off to the client (i.e. british gas) - just make excuses for the charges and take payment.
We were told to "imply" court action, baliffs, credit blacklisting - as means to make the caller pay.
We were always told NEVER to tell the caller that they WILL end up in court, etc - however that 'May/Might/Possible' court action,etc was a good tactic.
If you fail to call BCW and they have your telephone number - they will call you. They can call you every single day if they don't feel that you are trying hard enough to pay or not paying.
Debt is written off if they cannot trace you/ you can prove you are bankrupt./ you can prove the original client is deceased/ you prove you are on a debt prepayment plan with a recognised authority and obtaining payment from you would be uneconomical to pursue.
There are non-premium rate telephone numbers to get through to them - please see their website for numbers.
Please note that at the time I was employed - BCW staff were told to obey all data protection act rules and regulations. Training involved a lot knowing about the regulations in place, and we were tested on them.
Anyone flaunting the rules was automatically fired - on the spot.
This is because complaints are costly to their fortune, and they don't tolerate it - at least, in theory.
If you ask to speak to a line manager - you must be put through or called back as soon as possible.
If you ask for your telephone number to be removed from their system - they MUST do it, so long as they have an address they can write to you at.
DB.
I have had one before from said Solicitors. My E.on bill was 5 days over due and I received it.
In true Pistonheads style I sent them a strongly worded email, they apologised, said I had been sent it by mistake and I have never heard them again. Having spoken to E.on about it, they are a legitimate company.
In true Pistonheads style I sent them a strongly worded email, they apologised, said I had been sent it by mistake and I have never heard them again. Having spoken to E.on about it, they are a legitimate company.
Scott330ci said:
Money saving forums ...
I was an employee with BCW Group, and I would like to, anonymously, share my experiences of them, and hopefully help people who currently have their debt with this company.
BCW are a debt collection organisation. Some of their clients include: British Gas, Scottish Power, E.On, powergen, etc. Local councils for council tax collection. Most large mobile phone companies.
I am speaking out as an ex-employee because this company's 'tactics' are appalling.
The only thing they are concerned with is getting as much money as possible out of you - regardless of your circumstances.
First of all, BCW have a 'three call' strategy.
This is as follows.
You will receive a letter from BCW stating that it is a 'formal/final demand for payment'. You will be urged to contact a premium rate telephone line to make payment.
The person you are connected with is trained to ONLY EVER accept payment in full the first time you call. Therefore, when you call and say you cannot afford payment in full, they will tell you to go and try and find the money and will give you 48 hours to do so.
The second call you make, if you say you could not source the money, they will offer you:
50% payment now and 50% payment next month. Or 50% then 25% then 25%.
Only on the third phone call will you be offered a monthly payment plan option, up to 12 months.
BCW make an extra charge (min £2) when paying by credit/debit card over the phone.
Their call centre is very much a competition-based environment, whereby bonuses are given to 'top collectors'.
As you can imagine - 'top collectors' are ruthless.
During my training - I was told to 'take payment at all costs'. Never fob callers off to the client (i.e. british gas) - just make excuses for the charges and take payment.
We were told to "imply" court action, baliffs, credit blacklisting - as means to make the caller pay.
We were always told NEVER to tell the caller that they WILL end up in court, etc - however that 'May/Might/Possible' court action,etc was a good tactic.
If you fail to call BCW and they have your telephone number - they will call you. They can call you every single day if they don't feel that you are trying hard enough to pay or not paying.
Debt is written off if they cannot trace you/ you can prove you are bankrupt./ you can prove the original client is deceased/ you prove you are on a debt prepayment plan with a recognised authority and obtaining payment from you would be uneconomical to pursue.
There are non-premium rate telephone numbers to get through to them - please see their website for numbers.
Please note that at the time I was employed - BCW staff were told to obey all data protection act rules and regulations. Training involved a lot knowing about the regulations in place, and we were tested on them.
Anyone flaunting the rules was automatically fired - on the spot.
This is because complaints are costly to their fortune, and they don't tolerate it - at least, in theory.
If you ask to speak to a line manager - you must be put through or called back as soon as possible.
If you ask for your telephone number to be removed from their system - they MUST do it, so long as they have an address they can write to you at.
DB.
In fairness to these firms, the simple fact that they have taken the case means that being polite and pleasant has not worked.I was an employee with BCW Group, and I would like to, anonymously, share my experiences of them, and hopefully help people who currently have their debt with this company.
BCW are a debt collection organisation. Some of their clients include: British Gas, Scottish Power, E.On, powergen, etc. Local councils for council tax collection. Most large mobile phone companies.
I am speaking out as an ex-employee because this company's 'tactics' are appalling.
The only thing they are concerned with is getting as much money as possible out of you - regardless of your circumstances.
First of all, BCW have a 'three call' strategy.
This is as follows.
You will receive a letter from BCW stating that it is a 'formal/final demand for payment'. You will be urged to contact a premium rate telephone line to make payment.
The person you are connected with is trained to ONLY EVER accept payment in full the first time you call. Therefore, when you call and say you cannot afford payment in full, they will tell you to go and try and find the money and will give you 48 hours to do so.
The second call you make, if you say you could not source the money, they will offer you:
50% payment now and 50% payment next month. Or 50% then 25% then 25%.
Only on the third phone call will you be offered a monthly payment plan option, up to 12 months.
BCW make an extra charge (min £2) when paying by credit/debit card over the phone.
Their call centre is very much a competition-based environment, whereby bonuses are given to 'top collectors'.
As you can imagine - 'top collectors' are ruthless.
During my training - I was told to 'take payment at all costs'. Never fob callers off to the client (i.e. british gas) - just make excuses for the charges and take payment.
We were told to "imply" court action, baliffs, credit blacklisting - as means to make the caller pay.
We were always told NEVER to tell the caller that they WILL end up in court, etc - however that 'May/Might/Possible' court action,etc was a good tactic.
If you fail to call BCW and they have your telephone number - they will call you. They can call you every single day if they don't feel that you are trying hard enough to pay or not paying.
Debt is written off if they cannot trace you/ you can prove you are bankrupt./ you can prove the original client is deceased/ you prove you are on a debt prepayment plan with a recognised authority and obtaining payment from you would be uneconomical to pursue.
There are non-premium rate telephone numbers to get through to them - please see their website for numbers.
Please note that at the time I was employed - BCW staff were told to obey all data protection act rules and regulations. Training involved a lot knowing about the regulations in place, and we were tested on them.
Anyone flaunting the rules was automatically fired - on the spot.
This is because complaints are costly to their fortune, and they don't tolerate it - at least, in theory.
If you ask to speak to a line manager - you must be put through or called back as soon as possible.
If you ask for your telephone number to be removed from their system - they MUST do it, so long as they have an address they can write to you at.
DB.
They have no choice to be firm from the outset.
Premium line numbers are a good idea as it minimises their outlay.
The client of the utility firm will have had countless time and occasion to deal direct and structure a suitable payment plan with the firm that they are contracted with so quite frankly, f
k 'em. They need a slap and need to sort their lives out.On the few occassions where the data is wrong or there has been a mix up these firms for the most part act fairly, but you need to start with your utility firm as the debt won't have been sold on but collection contracted out.
Rang EON to notify them of the letter and he read out the forwarding address as Clumber House, which is a nursing home that has the same house digits as mine but reversed, e.g 51 where as I am 15.
He has updated the details accordingly and said I would not hear again.
Looks like a genuine typing error.
He has updated the details accordingly and said I would not hear again.
Looks like a genuine typing error.
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