Debt collector after me for 22 euro

Tylerdurex

I have a debt collector after me for 22 euro . I basically never settled my closing balance with Tesco mobile when I switched to Vodafone which is my fault. I don't mind paying the 22 euro to them but I've heard these debt collectors are shady out and pure chancers and can try coming after you for more money even going as far to say you never paid them in the first place . I can't believe they are coming after me for such a low sum though . I've ignored their calls now for 2 months and now I've just gotten a letter into the door threatning legal action. Any advice ?

dudara

Talk to Tesco Mobile and pay them the €22.

Alternatively, you can pay the debt collector via bank transfer, which will act as a record of the payment.

arse..biscuits

Give them the €22 you owe them?

njs030

Paying your debt would be the simple answer.

murphyebass

Run like wind OP. Run like the wind.

OR

Pay the €22.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

enricoh

Answer their call and laugh at them, calls will stop!

Inquitus

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Aye generally if a debt collection agency has got involved you will have the original €22 debt plus a fee from the debt collectors on top of that.

sightband

Tylerdurex wrote: »

I have a debt collector after me for 22 euro . I basically never settled my closing balance with Tesco mobile when I switched to Vodafone which is my fault. I don't mind paying the 22 euro to them but I've heard these debt collectors are shady out and pure chancers and can try coming after you for more money even going as far to say you never paid them in the first place . I can't believe they are coming after me for such a low sum though . I've ignored their calls now for 2 months and now I've just gotten a letter into the door threatning legal action. Any advice ?

Pay it ASAP or get a bad credit record for 5 years minimum at best and won’t be able to apply for any type of debit based contract with your bank, utilities included. I’d also apologise and ask them for written confirmation that you haven’t been put on the ICB database with a bad credit record. €22 which you owe FFS.

L1011

sightband wrote: »

Pay it ASAP or get a bad credit record for 5 years minimum at best and won’t be able to apply for any type of debit based contract with your bank, utilities included. I’d also apologise and ask them for written confirmation that you haven’t been put on the ICB database with a bad credit record. €22 which you owe FFS.

It can't go on the ICB record as they aren't members.

Banks don't generally use the private credit agencies - utility contracts etc do.

The apology isn't something I'd give them myself!

rgace

It won't go on your ICB so no need to be concerned about that.

If you owe it then just pay Tesco what you owe, I wouldn't pay any money to those debt collectors and would ignore any communication from them myself.

sightband

L1011 wrote: »

It can't go on the ICB record as they aren't members.

Banks don't generally use the private credit agencies - utility contracts etc do.

The apology isn't something I'd give them myself!

rgace wrote: »

It won't go on your ICB so no need to be concerned about that.

If you owe it then just pay Tesco what you owe, I wouldn't pay any money to those debt collectors and would ignore any communication from them myself.

On retrospect, I’ve reconsidered and I totally agree with this solid advice of ignoring and not apologising to debt collectors for any outstanding unpaid debt you have. It will work out well and that €22 you owe them will be hugely beneficial to your borrowing capabilities with no risk of refusal. Best of luck.

L1011

sightband wrote: »

On retrospect, I’ve reconsidered and I totally agree with this solid advice of ignoring and not apologising to debt collectors for any outstanding unpaid debt you have. It will work out well and that €22 you owe them will be hugely beneficial to your borrowing capabilities with no risk of refusal. Best of luck.

Nobody has said not to pay it

Apologising is completely pointless and you massively overstated the credit risks.

Tylerdurex

Tesco won't accept payment now

sightband

L1011 wrote: »

Nobody has said not to pay it

Apologising is completely pointless and you massively overstated the credit risks.

Credit records are a small component of a credit score. Any lending institution will generate the scores from a variety of sources, one of which is the ICB credit record but it's not the only one. It is possible that the debt collection agency take the OP to court, and obtain a judgement. They check judgements too. If you have a judgement against you the bank will see that and you're not getting a loan no matter what the ICB says.

I am not massively (can I use bold as well to make a point even though I am not a moderator?) overstating any credit risk, there is a risk, all for €22. the OP has now admitted and was clear from the beginning obviously that Tesco have washed their hands with them, that is why they get a debt collector on board and pay them.

BTW, apologising to any person, agent, employee or whatever it may be when you are a customer and completely in the wrong can help a lot in resolving issues...especially when your future borrowing capabilities are at stake.

L1011

"credit scores" are record agency specific concepts, to begin with. Credit records are the only thing that create them and that is why they vary between the agencies.

No debt collection agency is ever going to go to court for €22. The filing fees alone ensure that it's pointless.

Banks are not known for using the private credit reference agencies.

You were, and still are, massively overstating the risk.

Also - the debt collector will get a hefty % of the €22 if paid. They don't need, want or care for an apology. Its utterly pointless.

my3cents

Just pay Tesco mobile the €22 I doubt they hide their banking details so no one can ever pay them any money so just pay them in a way that is traceable like a bank transfer (already suggested) then tell the debt collection crowd to p!ss off.

If Tesco refund your money then keep it and forget all about it.

Mrcaramelchoc

i got the exact same call for 26 euro.i nearly crashed the car because i knew nothing about it and ive never been in debt.i rang tesco and verified it to be true and they confirmed it.then i rang the debt collector and paid it.
simplest thing to do.

TheAnalyst_

Don't pay it. There are ZERO consequences, trust me.

Mrcaramelchoc

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

Don't pay it. There are ZERO consequences, trust me.

That may be true but the debt collector will probably haunt you for it.they'll keep ringing and sending out letters.that **** will get to you after awhile im sure.

my3cents

Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »

That may be true but the debt collector will probably haunt you for it.they'll keep ringing and sending out letters.that **** will get to you after awhile im sure.

Some people have thick enough skins to just ignore them and if you engage with them at all they know they are getting to you so keep up the ringing and sending letters. So if you don't contact them they go away quicker.

brightspark

my3cents wrote: »

Some people have thick enough skins to just ignore them and if you engage with them at all they know they are getting to you so keep up the ringing and sending letters. So if you don't contact them they go away quicker.

Pay your bills and they never come near you at all.

TheAnalyst_

Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »

That may be true but the debt collector will probably haunt you for it.they'll keep ringing and sending out letters.that **** will get to you after awhile im sure.

hahah no they won't. They've got far better things to do.

brightspark

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

Don't pay it. There are ZERO consequences, trust me.

Yes, you can't go wrong with any advice found on the internet.

TheAnalyst_

brightspark wrote: »

Yes, you can't go wrong with any advice found on the internet.

Hey OP pay it up now or you will go to jail!!!
They will ring you every hour for months. Then turn up at your door. After this you will be sued for the 22 euro plust 5K in damanges. You will then be blacklisted from ever getting any credit card, loan or mortgage for life. Don't do it please.

feargale

Tylerdurex wrote: »

Tesco won't accept payment now

Then send them the money and keep a record of having sent it.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

Hey OP pay it up now or you will go to jail!!!
They will ring you every hour for months. Then turn up at your door. After this you will be sued for the 22 euro plust 5K in damanges. You will then be blacklisted from ever getting any credit card, loan or mortgage for life. Don't do it please.

I think the main point being made is just pay it if you owe it. Simples!

Assetbacked

Legally, from a practical perspective, there is nothing that will happen for €22. A civil court wouldn’t even entertain such a low claim and the Gardaí wouldn’t pursue a criminal case. Importantly, you will not have to pay anything extra to cover the cost of debt recovery and don’t bow to claims you have to pay from the debt collectors. Which debt collection agency are working to recover this debt?

dudara

TheAnalyst_ wrote: »

Don't pay it. There are ZERO consequences, trust me.

It is irresponsible to say there are zero consequences. Court judgements can be secured and your name entered into Stubb’s Gazette etc. For a small amount like €22, the odds are much lower, but I’d never say never.

feargale

feargale wrote: »

Then send them the money and keep a record of having sent it.

Inquitus wrote: »

Aye generally if a debt collection agency has got involved you will have the original €22 debt plus a fee from the debt collectors on top of that.

Wrong. Until such time as proceedings are issued the debtor is entitled to the debt and nothing more, no fees, no costs.

TheAnalyst_

dudara wrote: »

It is irresponsible to say there are zero consequences. Court judgements can be secured and your name entered into Stubb’s Gazette etc. For a small amount like €22, the odds are much lower, but I’d never say never.

I say never when something is 99.9% unlikely. Debt collection agencies are the equivalent of spam email or 419 scams.

my3cents

brightspark wrote: »

Pay your bills and they never come near you at all.

Normally two points arise with these debt collection threads one is that a debt is owed and the other is how the debt collection agencies work.

If you check back I have already told the OP how he could pay Tesco even if they say they don't want the money now I'm talking about how the bottom feeding debt collection agencies work.

Mr. Incognito

dudara wrote: »

It is irresponsible to say there are zero consequences. Court judgements can be secured and your name entered into Stubb’s Gazette etc. For a small amount like €22, the odds are much lower, but I’d never say never.

ay it ASAP or get a bad credit record for 5 years minimum at best and won’t be able to apply for any type of debit based contract with your bank, utilities included. I’d also apologise and ask them for written confirmation that you haven’t been put on the ICB database with a bad credit record. €22 which you owe FFS.

This is sensationalist nonsense.

Debt collectors have no standing in law to enforce debts. None. Nada. Zilch.

Their business model is based on fear and ignorance.

Solicitors can take people to Court. Debt Collection companies cannot.

Debt collectors cannot affect your credit rating in any way. Ever.

ICB members can.

I suggest you file their demands in the bin where they belong

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/personal_finance/debt/debt_collection.html#l724df

brightspark

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

.

Solicitors can take people to Court. Debt Collection companies cannot.

Debt collectors cannot affect your credit rating in any way. Ever.


http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/personal_finance/debt/debt_collection.html#l724df

Can't debt collectors hire solicitors, from what I hear there are solicitors who will work for any one these days!

woejus

Such nonsense on this thread.

De minimis non curat lex - the law don't care about such small things.

Don't pay it. No human from Tesco has handled this. It is an entirely automated process. As to the moral aspect - it is a certainty that Tesco plc have dicked staff and companies out of way more.

Do not gratify the debt collectors with a response. If you do want to waste your time on them - quote Section 11 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, that will scare them off.

davo10

woejus wrote: »

Such nonsense on this thread.

De minimis non curat lex - the law don't care about such small things.

Don't pay it. No human from Tesco has handled this. It is an entirely automated process. As to the moral aspect - it is a certainty that Tesco plc have dicked staff and companies out of way more.

Do not gratify the debt collectors with a response. If you do want to waste your time on them - quote Section 11 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, that will scare them off.

For €22, or about the price of 4 pints? Seriously, why would you be bothered having to dodge phone calls and the hassle of threatening letters? The op acknowledges that he/she didn't pay the closing balance, ffs pay the €22 and get a life.

Tylerdurex

davo10 wrote: »

For €22, or about the price of 4 pints? Seriously, why would you be bothered having to dodge phone calls and the hassle of threatening letters? The op acknowledges that he/she didn't pay the closing balance, ffs pay the €22 and get a life.

Why don't you Fcuk off instead

ouxbbkqtswdfaw

Tylerdurex wrote:

Why don't you Fcuk off instead

Get some manners. The poster is trying to help you. You don't deserve any help.

dudara

@Tylerdurex - warned for abusvive language. Keep it under control.

dudara

dudara

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

This is sensationalist nonsense.

Debt collectors have no standing in law to enforce debts. None. Nada. Zilch.

Their business model is based on fear and ignorance.

Solicitors can take people to Court. Debt Collection companies cannot.

Debt collectors cannot affect your credit rating in any way. Ever.

ICB members can.

I suggest you file their demands in the bin where they belong

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/personal_finance/debt/debt_collection.html#l724df

Yes, it’s a little sensationalist, but what I am trying to get across is understanding the consequences of debt. When you understand all the possible consequences, then you can make a risk-based assessment on your own circumstances.

The ICB is not the only means of determine creditworthiness and companies / industries operate other means of credit checking. Court judgements are a possibility when it comes to debt.

brightspark

woejus wrote: »

Such nonsense on this thread.

De minimis non curat lex - the law don't care about such small things.

Don't pay it. No human from Tesco has handled this. It is an entirely automated process. As to the moral aspect - it is a certainty that Tesco plc have dicked staff and companies out of way more.

By that logic it would be morally OK to walk into Tesco and walk out with a slab of beer without paying for it.

Whatever about legally, there is no moral difference between not paying a debt and theft.

dr.fuzzenstein

dudara wrote: »

Yes, it’s a little sensationalist, but what I am trying to get across is understanding the consequences of debt. When you understand all the possible consequences, then you can make a risk-based assessment on your own circumstances.

The ICB is not the only means of determine creditworthiness and companies / industries operate other means of credit checking. Court judgements are a possibility when it comes to debt.

It's the general attitude in Ireland.
Don't pay water, property tax, speeding fines from abroad, cut off clamps and don't pay them either, get your €20k for scratches and owies, get everything because you're "entitled" basically treat the world as your playting, buffet, ATM and toilet.
Then complain loudly on the internet how peoiple are selfish assholes only out for themselves and what happened to the world and that everyone just p*sses on everyone else. And complain really loudly how politicians are of the same attitude. To me it's part of the reason why Ireland will never be Switzerland, Sweden or Norway. In those countries people have a sense of working together rather than against each other.

edit:
Don't bother telling me to fcuk back off to Germany. I have. It's great.

CeilingFly

I always laugh at posts that say ignore debt collectors, ignore letters, they can't do anything, etc etc etc etc

Utter rubbish and I've yet to see any statement like this backed up by any form of proof.

Lets take a €40 debt. - How much time will you waste ignoring it? What value do you put on your time!? Once its a valid debt (as it is in the op's case) pay it. Using a debt collector is also covered in the t&cs so ignore those who write bs telling you they have no right to contact you.

Of course its highly unlikely that it will ever go to a court. But...

There's consolidation in the debt collection / financial info sector. Many are already different parts of one organisation (stubbs + intrum justicia)

These organisations are used by many non bank organisations to get credit ratings - so failure to pay an intrum justisia demand will leave a black mark against your name on their system. How many firms offering credit uses Stubbs as a credit check company? Quite a few including mobile companies, virgin media, littlewoods and utility companies such as energia.

So those who say it won't damage you are totally and utterly wrong. It may not affect a bank loan application, but when you get asked for a €500 deposit for signing up to an electricity supplier, think back to that time you refused to pay a small bill.


Btwb- I use Vision-net for giving credit to corporate customers. You'd be surprised at some that get a poor report for late payment to other suppliers that use Vision-net too.

Assetbacked

CeilingFly wrote: »

I always laugh at posts that say ignore debt collectors, ignore letters, they can't do anything, etc etc etc etc

Utter rubbish and I've yet to see any statement like this backed up by any form of proof.

Lets take a €40 debt. - How much time will you waste ignoring it? What value do you put on your time!? Once its a valid debt (as it is in the op's case) pay it. Using a debt collector is also covered in the t&cs so ignore those who write bs telling you they have no right to contact you.

Of course its highly unlikely that it will ever go to a court. But...

There's consolidation in the debt collection / financial info sector. Many are already different parts of one organisation (stubbs + intrum justicia)

These organisations are used by many non bank organisations to get credit ratings - so failure to pay an intrum justisia demand will leave a black mark against your name on their system. How many firms offering credit uses Stubbs as a credit check company? Quite a few including mobile companies, virgin media, littlewoods and utility companies such as energia.

So those who say it won't damage you are totally and utterly wrong. It may not affect a bank loan application, but when you get asked for a €500 deposit for signing up to an electricity supplier, think back to that time you refused to pay a small bill.


Btwb- I use Vision-net for giving credit to corporate customers. You'd be surprised at some that get a poor report for late payment to other suppliers that use Vision-net too.

Long shpiel but ultimately nonsense;

(1) no time is wasted ignoring as ignoring exists in a temporally ignorant vacuum.
(2) highly unlikely that it will go to court to the point of being impossible. They may issue a summons and send it to you but if this happens they will be far more than €22 out of pocket and will not likely recover these costs so will not therefore take such a risk for a €22 debt. As such, no judgment will be obtained.

Tylerdurex

hbumil2vxnt549 wrote: »

Get some manners. The poster is trying to help you. You don't deserve any help.

Yea with a condescending dig thrown in for good measure . How is telling someone go get a life helpful?

brightspark

Assetbacked wrote: »

Long shpiel but ultimately nonsense;

(1) no time is wasted ignoring as ignoring exists in a temporally ignorant vacuum.
(2) highly unlikely that it will go to court to the point of being impossible. They may issue a summons and send it to you but if this happens they will be far more than €22 out of pocket and will not likely recover these costs so will not therefore take such a risk for a €22 debt. As such, no judgment will be obtained.

1, True, but it might add to your recycling pile!

2, I don't think Ceilingfly was implying that it would go to court, just that when the person next tries to sign up to another service in the future they are more likely to be asked for a large deposit.

However I still believe that not paying your debts is morally identical to theft. If you don't pay your debts you really aren't any better than a pick-pocket or shop-lifter.

In the OPs situation it's more like forgetting to pay, but nevertheless once reminded they should have paid. I also doubt it was handed over to a debt collection agency without at least one reminder.

davo10

Tylerdurex wrote: »

Yea with a condescending dig thrown in for good measure . How is telling someone go get a life helpful?

To be fair, acknowledging you owe what is a pretty small debt, and complaining about the collection agent, is like sucking a lemon and then complaining that it is bitter.

Tylerdurex

davo10 wrote: »

To be fair, acknowledging you owe what is a pretty small debt, and complaining about the collection agent, is like sucking a lemon and then complaining that it is bitter.

Did you actually read my original post . People have heads like sieves and actually don't retain the total body of the original post. I said I don't mind paying the 22 euro but concerned paying them this initial sum will lead to them coming after me for.more money . It's pretty much accepted by the majority here that debt collectors are the most corrupt shady group of individuals that would chance anything

dudara

Tylerdurex wrote: »

Did you actually read my original post . People have heads like sieves and actually don't retain the total body of the original post. I said I don't mind paying the 22 euro but concerned paying them this initial sum will lead to them coming after me for.more money . It's pretty much accepted by the majority here that debt collectors are the most corrupt shady group of individuals that would chance anything

When you pay, ask for acknowledgement that the payment is in full and final settlement of the debt. They will provide documentation to this effect.

dudara

Assetbacked wrote: »

Long shpiel but ultimately nonsense;

(1) no time is wasted ignoring as ignoring exists in a temporally ignorant vacuum.
(2) highly unlikely that it will go to court to the point of being impossible. They may issue a summons and send it to you but if this happens they will be far more than €22 out of pocket and will not likely recover these costs so will not therefore take such a risk for a €22 debt. As such, no judgment will be obtained.

To reiterate what I (poorly) said, and which CeilingFly has put better, the debt may not go to court, but you will be black marked on whatever credit scoring system the company uses. And these credit scoring systems are used by many companies, so there could well be impact in other areas.

ouxbbkqtswdfaw

Tylerdurex wrote:

Yea with a condescending dig thrown in for good measure . How is telling someone go get a life helpful?

Have you any sense?