It’s so good that I’m going to amend the original blog post to include your suggested way of dealing with them.

To: collections@arvatofinance.co.uk
Subject: REF : XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 13:25:10 +0000

Dear AFS

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (1 and 1 internet ).

I am are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading debt collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully
James Khan

They will reply saying the case is closed. They cannot prove the debt is valid and so cannot chanse it.

According to 1&1 own T&C you can terminate the contract by putting it in writing. In August last year I did because due to the economic down turn my company had ceased trading and was de-solved, not owing anyone I might add. Also as the company had ceased trading I no longer had access to the email address that I set the account up in.

After not hearing from 1&1 I chased it up with an email, as per their T&C what then followed was 3 months of 1&1giving me the wrong information and the even told me it was cancelled in the end I told them I had fished with them and I did not want any more to do with them.

In April this year I was contacted by Arvarto Finance Services not only for this account but also for another account, another month went by of me explaining why I did not owe the money. I am the informed that I don’t owe the money on one of the accounts. They were however perusing me for the other one. I took some legal advice and wrote to both 1&1 and Arvarto Finance telling them I did not owe the money and to stop bully in me and if they did not respond within 10 days I would consider the mater closed. 2 months pass and nothing then Arvarto finance contact me again I am now in dispute with 1&1 for £30.00.

Recently I received a letter from H L LEGAL & Collections in association with Sampson & Co they have now given me 7 day and have threatened me with court action. I rang H L LEGAL and funnily enough they knew nothing of the case. This raised my suspicions I was finally passed through to a Mr Carl Wiltshire who not only told me he was a solicitor but I think he also told me it was his family business. Mr Carl Wiltshire then told me that his company did not send the letter but I think he said the company name was licensed to Arvarto Finance. I told him I thought that it was illegal to do that as I felt that the letter did not make it clear who the company was or their roll with Arvarto Finance As it is unfair to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear, inaccurate or a misleading manner. Also it is wrong for companies to ignore disputes about whether you owe the money and refuse to freeze action if you dispute the dept.

I sent Mr Carl Wiltshire the information and he emailed it to Arvarto Finance.

Phill Sylvester

Like it’s a real hassle to hang up a phone. Maybe I’ll look up your phone number via whois and call you for a couple bucks next time I feel like going out for a pint.

Better yet I’ll get my friends wife to call… she’s way more annoying than me.

BEWARE anyone who has a service with 1&1 and think everything is fine.. You wait to the day when you want to cancel…

They set the baliffs on you for stupid amounts of money. They know most people pay up because its not worth the hassle.

These people are PIGS because what other company automatically charges you for another year? Most send you an Invoice then wait for payment. No payment? No service. You dont send the baliffs. That is just plain sick.

So my warning to ANYONE with a 1&1 account is that their company Arvato Finance is just round the corner and they will come knocking at your door with letters. If you are like me and an honest person can you imagine how you feel when you open a letter with the words “recover debt” and “formally persue” and “to halt this process..” and “Instructed by Creditor to persue…” NICE.

As a law abiding person I bet you would HATE that landing on your doormat. It would frighten you. Think of all the times in your life where you have never bothered to renew something. Insurance, Magazine subscription, Clubs.

Also the get out of jail card (cancel your account) is so cumbersome with 1&1 that it is deliberately designed to fail at multiple points to include:
1) Not being easy to find
2) Multiple pages
3) Buttons hidden at bottom of pages
4) Extra screens saying “are you sure…”
5) Email validation
6) Non arriving emails to put the final nail in.

This is fraud. Pure and simple.

Richard Hazell.

I have emailed the collections department requesting more information, copy of the previous correspondence etc

del

I even got the ticket escalated but they guy who it was escalated to was even less help than the frontline support staff

However, I’ve heard many things that make me nervous about staying with their company. Two thirds of my domains are held elsewhere so hopefully it won’t be too painful to move once my contract expires (next year!)

Plus I want cPanel and fantastico…

John Szram