01563554540

Thank goodness for this site that I have just joined today. I didn't get to the phone in time when these people rang and now I'm pleased I didn't. I have NEVER had an unpaid debt, so why on earth they're ringing me is a mystery. I've added the number to my mobile so I know to ignore it in future. Thanks for making me aware everyone.

these people sent me text to my mobile saying 'please contact calvin at mackenzie hall on 01563554540 quoting reference number M257077@@.

Good job i have a blackberry with an ap to block scum and spam

i have had exactly the same message today.  I have never had an upaid debt in my life and as such, have no interest in calling back.  will also use my blackberry to work out how to block them like you said!

Please contact Alison at Mackenzie Hall urgently on 08444115647 quoting your reference M24561699 Network rates mat vary.

[***]! Read the peoples posts! 88 year old ladies..and you defend that... get a life! they are bullies! and the lenders were and still are greedy bstards!

your an idiot.

We are being chased by MH for a debt that is about 8 or 9 years old for a mobile phone bill which we disputed and resolutely refused to pay. We wrote to the company on many occasions and somewhere I'm sure we still have copies in the attic. But MH is calling and writing saying they bought the debt from another company and therefore the debt is new!!!  Such balderdash! But I'm desperately trying to find a way to get them to cease and desist as it's causing severe stress for my wife and I, especially my wife. We lost our son several years ago and this was a phone we had for him. It was stolen and the bill racked up with calls to somewhere in Bulgaria and Estonia if I remember correctly...or somewhere like that...My wife has repeatedly told them the debt wasn't ours, asked them for a copy of the bill and was told our credit record will have a black mark on it because of what we've done. How can we get them, once and for all, to stop immediately? I wrote them once already, sent it by recorded delivery, told them they were harassing us and if they persisted we would take legal action. This has had no affect what so ever!  They are particularly cruel as they know it makes my wife cry and still they harangue her. I don't want to have to buy one of those phones that display their number. I had BT block their call, which BT did for free for one number but they began calling from another number and BT said for the second number we would have to pay, plus for any other numbers.. I'm at wits end! I even wrote to Watchdog last month but as the show is currently not broadcasting I doubt we will hear from anyone for some time.

Hi Vvic

Dont worry about Mackenzie Hall.  Your supposed debt is more than 6 years old so legally it cannot be chased.  MH will tell you all sorts about marking your credit record with bad info but they have no legal powers to do so.

The law clearly states that is a debt is more than 6 years old - from the time the debt originally occurred, not the time it was purchased by a debt collection agency - and you have not heard anything from the original company involved for a significant amount of time, the debt is classed as "Statute Barred".  It CANNOT be collected.

Furthermore, any person visiting your house, with the exceltion of the police and the post office, needs to have prior written permission before entering onto any part of your property.  If they turn up without permission, ie to threaten you into paying by telling you they are going to take you tv etc, they are committing a number of offences:

1. Aggravated Trespass.  This is a crime under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.  The simple act of trespass is a civil offence, namely being on anothers property without permission.  However, as MH would be using the visit to threaten you into paying monies you do not owe, it becomes the crime of aggravated trespass.
2. Harassment.  This is a crime punishable by imprisonment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.  By constantly calling you, threatening you and telling you lies about your credit rating you are legally being harassed.

Furthermore, they are committing a number of consumer credit licence breaches for which they can be fined by chasing debts that are not legally due.

My simple advice is this: ignore them.  They know they are in the wrong and eventually will stop chasing you when they see they cant bully you into paying.  Stick to your guns.  If you do decide to pick up the phone, simply tell them before they start talking - "I do not wish to discuss anything over the telephone.  If you have something to tell me or any information you wish me to read you are to send it to my postal address which you will have on your records".  Then immediately put the phone down.

Dont worry, it will go away.  The plus side is now you know the number and the relevant laws surrounding this, you can safely ignore them knowing nothing can be done to force you to pay.  It might help you further to know that as your supposed debt is barred by statute, not even a sitting judge can overturn the law and force you to pay.

I hope this helps.

Ian

Got a new phone from Vodafone and there was a message on it saying to "Please contact Calvin at Mackenzie Hall on 01563554540 & quote reference number M25877532"  Needless to say, I havent.  This was a brand new phone with a new number that I hadnt even used.

Got an sms message sent to my house phone today saying the exact same thing....just ignoring it also after reading these posts! thanks!

just reading all of  the above and am now concerned as I have just had an SMS message read out on my office direct number - asjking me to call Mackenzie Hall - but not asking for anyone by name - it came straight through to a number that is never given out as I work in social services!!! Sensing a phishing going on?

Got a phone call (here at work on the switchboard number) and it was a text from 01563 554540.  I didn't really listen to it coz even if it had been for a specific person I would have no idea who !  

After reading these reports, they can go swivel !!!!

They called my mum's and I dont live here. I was there and asked what they wanted. Yhey asked for my date of birth so I said I did not want to talk anymore.

It is McKenzie hall debt collectors. I don't even know what the heck debt they are chasing as the can't tell me and that sounds wrong as I am not going to pay for a debt I am not sure is mine. They phoned my mobi 5 times in 50 mins is that not classed as a breach of the communications act. To think this company have been fined before for this sort of stuff and don't learn, idiots.

Received this via SMS

You are eligible for a discount of up to 50%, contact us on 0844 411 5681 quoting ref. M25171377. to claim your discount. Network rates may vary.

This company is a scam, they have been calling my 14 year old brother about debt he doesn't even have. His phone and sim were both brand new at Christmas, someone explain?

They called my landline and asked for my name and I said he is not in and they promised to call my mobile which no one called.

just had an sms message to home phone saying congratulations you have won a prize.ive getting call fom various number all leaving messages to ring urgent etc .i check all numbers and they are debt agencies.sometime they ask for someone who used to live here ive been at this address for 5 years and have no debts ive even sent for my credit file to check it out.they even sent a demanding msg to my mobile im absolutly sick surely they cant do this im gonna checkou.t watchdog site

i have had a text message saying "Congratulations! You are eligible for a discount of up to 50 %, contact us on 01563554540 quoting your ref. ************** to secure your discount- T&Cs apply"

i wouldn't mind if I had given my number out for something like this but i haven't and I happen to work for a commercial litigation law firm so if I have an issue they will sort it for me for no reason

They are corrupt and make up any rubbish when they ring you. Just ignore them and don't anwser your phone. They pick out random peoples numbers and then try to get info from them and then come round and pester for money you do not owe them. They are the posh version of a scrounger as they wear suits.