Letter from a debt collection company.

[Sara_H]

This is a funny one.

On my birthday in January I recieved a present from a friend. Friend had orderd the gift from a US supplier and had it delivered directly to me.

A few weeks later I got a letter from fedex saying I owe them money for import duties which they paid. I confess I'm a bit miffed at having to pay import duties for an unsolicited gift but having looked into it, I'm between a rock and a hard place and it seems I do have to pay.
That said, I completely forgot. A couple of weeks ago I recieved a letter from a reovery agency. Funny thing is, the origional letter from fedex and the letter from the recovery agency were not adressed to me, the name was completely wrong, its adressed to someone who doesn't exist.
Now call me old fashioned, but I want the invoice to have my name on it. Knowing how dodgy some of these collections agencies can be I don't want to pay the bill if its not addressed to me. I've spoken to the collection agency and explained this, and they're saying that they don't think fedex will change the adresseee.
I asked him how they will persue it if their claimee is a person that doesn't exist and he said "hmmmmm".
I agree I accepted the item, but that was adressed to me, the two invoices aren't.

Top tips?

 

[MacB]

you've done enough the ball is back in their court, you're not trying to avoid the FedEx charges just refusing to pay something not in your name.

 

[Dave Davenport]

you've done enough the ball is back in their court, you're not trying to avoid the FedEx charges just refusing to pay something not in your name.

+1

 

[Andrew_P]

I would be more concerned over the effect on your Credit File, I wouldn't be encouraging them to get your details right before paying...

 

[Beebo]

How much is the debt? Is it worth the hassel? If not then I would would just pay it.

 

[green1]

I would be more concerned over the effect on your Credit File, I wouldn't be encouraging them to get your details right before paying...

If they are chasing some one who doesn't exist it shouldn't effect her Credit File.

 

[Andrew_P]

If they are chasing some one who doesn't exist it shouldn't effect her Credit File.

exactly that is why I wouldn't be in a hurry to have them correct the name.. Depending how much it is I would just pay it with the duff name. Not even sure they will register the debt with a credit reference agency but not worth the risk.

Just make sure you get a reciept.

 

[brodiej]

You may not want to do this but have you told the friend that gave you the present?

It seems to me as if it is them that owes the money. I assume they paid in the 1st place - you just signed for the package. It would be a shame if it hurt a friendship but also a shame if your credit rating was affected through no fault of your own..

 

[Sara_H]

You may not want to do this but have you told the friend that gave you the present?

It seems to me as if it is them that owes the money. I assume they paid in the 1st place - you just signed for the package. It would be a shame if it hurt a friendship but also a shame if your credit rating was affected through no fault of your own..

Having looked into it, it seems I am liable for the charge, and I will pay it, but, as I said previously, I worry about paying it when its not in my name and them coming back again saying I still owe money when its not in my name.
That said, I am worried about it escalating and A)the charge risin B) as others said, leaving a mark on my credit rating (but can this be possible as it isn't in my name.

All this said, I do find it a bit strange that any tom, dick or harry can order something to be delivered to you and leave you landed with a charge, but this is apparently all legal and above board.

 

[yello]

If they are chasing some one who doesn't exist it shouldn't effect her Credit File.

The same address will have an impact though.

I'm surprised that FedEx resorted to a debt recovery agency so quickly with no reminder letter. I think it reasonable to request that the letter be in your name (if you accept the charges are yours) but I suspect it'll only delay the process and you'll end up paying anyway. I wouldn't attempt to duck it though - not worth it imho.

 

[ianrauk]

The same address will have an impact though.

I'm surprised that FedEx resorted to a debt recovery agency so quickly with no reminder letter. I think it reasonable to request that the letter be in your name (if you accept the charges are yours) but I suspect it'll only delay the process and you'll end up paying anyway. I wouldn't attempt to duck it though - not worth it imho.

FedEx are probably one of the worse for chasing payment in a very aggressive manner, closely followed by UPS. I stopped using both for my company after bad experiences with both.

 

[Sara_H]

The same address will have an impact though.

I'm surprised that FedEx resorted to a debt recovery agency so quickly with no reminder letter. I think it reasonable to request that the letter be in your name (if you accept the charges are yours) but I suspect it'll only delay the process and you'll end up paying anyway. I wouldn't attempt to duck it though - not worth it imho.

No, I know I have to pay it, all I've asked for is the invoice in the correct name, but the debt agency seem to think this is a problem, but then agreed to look into it when I asked how they would recover a debt from someone who didn't exist.

 

[green1]

No, I know I have to pay it, all I've asked for is the invoice in the correct name, but the debt agency seem to think this is a problem, but then agreed to look into it when I asked how they would recover a debt from someone who didn't exist.

I wouldn't deal with the debt company, just FedEx.

 

[yello]

Thinking about this, what might be worth 'trying on' is speaking to FedEx and offering to pay the original invoice (that is, minus any additional debt collection agency charges) since them getting the name wrong is not your fault.

 

[classic33]

The Royal Mail work along similar lines, with regards "import duty". They open the item, place a value on it & decide that they want a percetange of what they feel the item is worth. Even replacements for faulty items, replaced by the manufacturer. Simple greed.

If the letter isn't in your name & you opened it, you may be in trouble for not just returning it, with "Not Known At This Address" across the the front of the envelope.

Look at this a different way. If a bill arrived at your address, that wasn't addressed to you what would your actions be. Would you pay it or tell the company that sent the bill the person did not exist. They have to prove that the person does exist and that they have the correct person being billed