01482483251

If WESCOT CREDIT SERVICES LIMITED are breaking the OFT's guidelines, which you can read here at http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf , then report them to the OFT. This is what happened to one DCA when those violated complained:

Press releases 2009 - http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2009/44-09

OFT imposes requirements on Mackenzie Hall to improve handling of disputed debts

44/09    21 April 2009

The Office of Fair Trading has taken action against Mackenzie Hall Ltd, a debt collection company, requiring it to improve its practices.

Download Mackenzie Hall requirements (pdf 47 kb)
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_lea ... equirements.pdf

The OFT has used its powers under consumer credit legislation to impose 'requirements' on Mackenzie Hall after an investigation found that some of its business processes failed to meet satisfactory standards. As a result of these requirements, Mackenzie Hall must not:

* pursue a debt where it has been notified in writing that there is reasonable cause to believe that the debt is in dispute, and

* pursue a debt where it has been notified in writing that the debt is statute barred.

Failure to comply with a requirement could lead to a fine of up to £50,000 and/or possible revocation of Mackenzie Hall's consumer credit licence.

Following an application by the company to renew its existing consumer credit licence, the OFT carried out an in-depth investigation into Mackenzie Hall's business practices and procedures, including a visit to its offices. The investigation found that whilst the company's procedures were of a satisfactory standard, complaint evidence received by the OFT showed that some of these procedures were not always followed.

The OFT raised its concerns with Mackenzie Hall and confirmed that it would be looking to impose requirements to improve compliance. Mackenzie Hall acknowledged the problems and, as allowed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, made a proposal to address the OFT's concerns.

Ray Watson, OFT Director for Consumer Credit, said:

'Persisting with debt collection activity when debts are in dispute can give rise to significant consumer detriment, particularly where vulnerable consumers are involved.'

'In this case Mackenzie Hall has co-operated fully with the OFT and has taken steps to ensure that the business follows correct procedures for handling disputed and statute barred debts.'

'We will continue to use our licensing powers to take action to protect consumers where debt collectors fail to ensure full compliance with our guidance.'

NOTES

1. The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (the Act) requires debt collectors, businesses that offer goods or services on credit and/or are involved in activities relating to credit or hire, to be licensed by the OFT.

2. In 2003 the OFT issued the Debt Collection Guidance (updated December 2006) which sets out minimum standards for those intending to collect debts. Failure to comply with the Debt Collection Guidance may call into question the fitness of a business to hold a consumer credit licence.

3. Following implementation of the OFT's new powers under the Consumer Credit Act 2006 on 6 April 2008, where the OFT is dissatisfied with any matter in connection with a business, a proposal to carry on a business or any other conduct by a licensee, associate or former associate, the OFT may impose 'requirements' on the licensed business. Requirements may require a business to do or not to do (or to cease doing) anything specified for the purposes connected with addressing the OFT's dissatisfaction, or securing that matters of the same or a similar kind do not arise.

4. Two different processes exist for imposition of requirements. One is where an adjudicating officer issues a notice to the trader that the OFT is minded to impose requirements to address dissatisfaction. The trader is then given the opportunity to make representations to the adjudicating officer. The adjudicating officer makes a determination and the trader has the right of appeal against the determination to the Consumer Credit Appeals Tribunal. Alternatively, a business may offer a proposal to address the OFT's dissatisfaction pursuant to section 33D(4) of the Act. In these circumstances the OFT is not required to issue a notice that it is minded to impose requirements if the proposed determination is in the same terms as the proposal made by the business.

5. The fact that requirements have been imposed on Mackenzie Hall appears on the consumer credit register. We will monitor Mackenzie Hall's compliance with the requirements. Any complaints about non-compliance should be sent to:

Enquiries
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX

Email: Enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk

6. Under the Limitation Act 1980, which applies to England and Wales, a debt is considered to be statute barred when no payments have been made against it or where it has not been acknowledged for six years. A statute barred debt cannot be legally recovered. Whilst the OFT accepts that the debt still exists, the OFT considers that it can be unfair to pursue the debt in the circumstances set out in our Debt Collection Guidance (pdf 116 kb) http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf . In Northern Ireland, statue barred debts are governed by the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. In Scotland, statute barred debts are governed by the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 which states that the debt itself ceases to exist after five years providing that it has not been acknowledged and that no relevant claim against it has been made by the creditor.

7. The OFT's advice for those being pursued by debt collectors is: don't panic or ignore the problem, seek help and advice from your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau and contact those who you owe money to as soon as possible.

===
Company Details & Ratings:  http://www.levelbusiness.com/doc/company/uk/SC084131

I was called today on my landline by this number. I didn't speak and neither did they! After about 1 minute of silence he or she hung up. I dialled 1471 and found 01482 483251. Who are these people? Probably another scam...

Asking for Nicky, are you neighbour close by?

I've had three calls - three days in a row- from this number. The caller told me he was trying to trace a friend who lived next door- but - one to me and had lost his phone number.I didn't know the person but the house has been empty for some time anyway- not that I would have passed on the details had I known them. I found it all a bit sinister but having googled the number I am disgusted that these people can resort to such tactics

Bit concerned, these people rang on my mobile and knew my nae, asking about someone down the round. Told they had access to some BT database.....

I have been called by this number - 01482483251. When I answered she sounded surprised that I was in!!! 9.20 am - I wouldn't normally be, just taken a day off work

She wanted to know if a certain person lived at 102 on my road and if I knew his number

I said that if I did know him, no way would I give her a number and I said I thought she was being very unprofessional and underhand

I asked her where she was calling from and she said 2S(or F) Locations service in Glasgow but she was trying to get rid of me, I asked her to repeat it - she did have a Glasgow accent - and she insisted she was doing nothing illegal

But I felt it was all out of order

Incidentally, the person she asked for is not the name of the person who does live at 102, but because I was not telling her anything she said 'Don't worry, if you don't know who your neighbours are' - But sadly she was wrong, I know exactly who they are and that is one good reason for not passing on information she can't get hold of herself. She said she'd got my number from the Electoral Roll and Directory Enquiries.

I did a 1471 and got the number, rang it back, got the automated message telling me it was Westcott Credit, got straight onto Google and found this site immediately

I found another number on Westcott site and rang it. I spoke to another Scottish person, a man. I asked him why I had been called and he immediately passed the buck. I said I'd received a call from 2S or F and he said that was Locations and confirmed it as 2F -but that it was nothing to do with him. I said I'd done a 1471 and got the name of the Company and so rung him!! He started to shout and talk loudly over me so I said my piece and that I thought they were underhand and perhaps he should look for another job because it was a shame that he had to work for such an unprofessional outfit. He said he really enjoys his job.

He said I would not be called again. I asked him how he knew that, as I didn't give him my name or number and withheld my number anyway - he just reinterated, You will definitely not be called again.

Please can something be done

Recieved a call asking i live near number x - said yes they then said do I know the person who lives here.  When I asked who calling they said 2F.  Looked online could not find this company.  How embarrassing for my neighbours that they are call me - surely data protection should stop them from doing this as it took me know time to find out they are westcot - debt recovery.  How did they find my details and then call me  about something unrelated to me.

They called me and asked if I was George Piss-Legge and I said I was and then they asked if I was damp. I told them I was bone dry as my carer had just changed my pad and it was the brand new Tena Pants (Men) { ) Discrete and I was guaranteed to be moisture-free for at least 7 hours. (Terms and conditions apply. see website for details. BOGOF.)

They called me again and again, so I got a stout, ziplock plastic bag from the £oundShoppe, put in all my used Tena Pads (Men) { ) Discrete and posted it to them by Special Delivery.

I've not heard a dicky bird since, although I did hear on the news that Weschott Credit Schervices in Hull was closed for fumigation for a week and that all current debts would be written off as the whole office complex including data had been destroyed. Piss. OFF! :-)

I was asked about someone living at another, local address, they wanted to know if I had seen the occupants

just recieved a series of calls from this number, all silent, had calls before from wescot looking for neighbour information but it wasnt this number, thanks for everyones contribution in raising awareness to this problem, personally i have filed reports with office of fair trading and the ombudsman in relation to wescots activities.....

Hi

I received a call from this company today August 19th 2011 at approximately 15;35pm enquiring about a neighbour. surely this is illegal. The caller number was 01482 483251.

I've had a call from these ppl aswell today, i'm glad i found these pages as its put my mind a rest that it was an actual company and not just some random weirdo ringing the house. Tbh i think its disgusting that they can get the info off electrol roll

The fella that rang sounded half cut- stupid pratt

Same as all the above keep getting calls from this number at ridiculous times, 7.30pm last night and then 8.30am this morning, I didnt answer either call having searched through this thread and seen what they are doing! absolutely ridiculous calling to ask about neighbours, its not my problem if they are in debt!

Same as others. Read this thread. Have reported to enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk

I got a text message from these on my private, note the word private, mobile phone asking me to ring an 0844 number. I have emailed them asking where they got the number from to get a generic (I say it's generic as it loaded up as an image) letter from them asking for the account number.

I have emailed them back with the account number on the text message and asked them kindly to remove my details from their computer if there is no such account.

I'm still waiting for a reply.

I know I owe money but texting me, on a private number which is not given to anybody, is beyond a joke. How these vultures get away with it is beyond me. As far as I knew, they are NOT allowed to contact anybody over the phone without first sending a letter. It's scaremongering of the highest degree

I received a call whilst at my parents house regarding one of their neighbours who is very elderly. When I asked why they were calling the guy said he was trying to track down an old friend.
I said I was a carer so had no knowledge of the neighbour he hung up abruptly.
1471 and got phone no 01482 483251  

I am going to file a complaint against this company after checking the previous post saying they are breaking the guidelines.

i had a call from number 01482618100 he said he was from the santander bank he asked for my post code and then said he had the wrong person i was supicious and rang the number back a man answered and said it was westcox credit services he would not give me any infor why this guy had rung me would not put me through to a supervisor

Just had a call from these,picked up the phone a voice said "Good afternoon I wonder if you can help me" before he had time to finish the sentence i said "No...." and put the phone down,did the usual 1471 and put it in here and found this thread.

2 Calls in 2 days. I called yesterday and was told they have no record of my number at all. I called again today a few minutes ago and was told the same and was also told it takes 24 hours to remove a phone number as they use an automatic dialer. That doesn't explain why they called me in the first place which really doesn't impress me at all.

If i get a call tomorrow I'm going to complain as it will have been over 24 hours. I'm hoping it won't come to that.