CISAS and Orange Bill Dispute

[delboy1968]

I contacted CISAS as I have trIed to get Orange to respond to my letters of complaints/dispute regarding roaming rates and service and querying a bill. I have been contacting Orange since July which was initially a query which led to my official complaints sent 18/09/2009. Orange have only contacted me since the involvement of CISAS. I was using roaming as I had to leave the UK unplanned as I had to go and bury my mother overseas in July 2009 and returned to the UK in September 2009.
CISAS has decided in favour of Orange given me upto 22/04/2010 to respond. However Orange has contacted me via two seperate debt collectors; Westmnsiters Solictors 24/03/2010 giving me upto 14 days to contact them which could result in a courty court judgement., Scot Call 25/03/2010 informing me to contact them immediately. The debt is £3k excess which I cannot pay off in full. I am not happy with the Adjucator's decision, and Orange's repeated form of communication via debt collectors and harassment. The bill was £3153.69 and is now £3350.59. I do not know what do do. Which agency / debt collector do I contact? Can Orange do this considering CISAS are yet to receive my response? I am finding this whole matter very stressful and have not found CISAS supportive or even challenged Orange on their Complaints / Customer service procedures. Orange have taken 6 months to respond, only for the matter to be in their favour. I also feel that Orange have up the anti with threatening to take me to court to pursue the debt. They have outlined to CISAS that they offered me a reduced offer. This is not factual as this was presented to me via debt collecting agency in November 2009 NCO LTD. When I sought advice I was told that under OFT Regulations a company cannot use debt collecting agencies to pursue a debt whilst during a dispute. They did not disclosed a sum. What should I do. I feel very powerless.

Please help DelBOy

[bednobs]

in all fairness cisas are independent and have found not in your favour. Orange have provided a service that you haven't paid for - it's not all that surprising that they are pursuing any means to get it back, including debt collectors.
I think you feel powerless because your position is powerless

[northernmonkey]

Speaking from personal experience;
About 2/3 years ago I took a contract out with Orange, and my first monthly bill was £120/£140. I rang up and questioned the amount, and was told about £80 was from using the Internet. (I had unlimited internet)
I signed up for a £40 per month contract which included everything I needed/wanted.
I got told that I did not have unlimited internet despite it being clearly stated on the documentation from the Orange shop.

I refused to pay the amount until the correct deductions were made, and cancelled the direct debit & for anything to be taken out of my account by Orange.

I heard nothing more for at least 2 months, then I was unable to make outgoing calls and 2 weeks later was unable to receive incoming calls (or text messages) then I got a letter demanding immediate payment in full from Orange (so contacted Orange again explaining everything and after speaking to 2 different departments was told I would have to pay the full amount and then send the documents off and see wether I could get the Internet charges refunded. I knew would be difficult/impossible to get money back so didn't pay them anything)

[northernmonkey]

*Continuation from above post*

3 Months passed without being contacted again, then Scot call sent a letter ... 14 days for payment in full ect ect. So I rang them and explained everything and was asked to put everything in writing and include original paperwork stating "Unlimited internet" - which I did and heard nothing back.

3 weeks later and I got another letter "1st warning" which I didn't respond to and same with 2nd.

Since then, I've heard nothing further

So really I would'nt worry too much, You will not hear anything further from neither Westminster Solicitors or Scot call and as a reminder, Always send photocopies of any paperwork (As they have a habit of losing/ "misplacing" it and keep a copy of all letters sent so they can't say you haven't responded and you can always re-send again)

[factor-fiction]

Well, northernonkey's strategy may be a good one..... but it could also be a risky one.
In northernmonkey's case he had some grounds for challenging the validity of the debt, although once Orange had passed it on to debt collectors I would have thought the debt collectors would not have been interested in the arguments.
In delboy's case I can't see any reason for thinking the debt is not valid and I can't imagine the debt collector giving up on the debt simply because you ignore it- and you may find charges being added.

[northernmonkey]

I fail to see on what grounds Scot call decided to make attempts in recovering the outstanding balance, but no doubt was because Orange paid them ££. But 1 thing I forgot to mention but feel you really must be aware of, should you decide on not paying Orange, Your credit rating WILL be effected, but I don't really buy nothing on HP so thats why I am not too concerned about that being the only effect unavoidable as it's doing me a favour really preventing any chance of getting into debt. But I just thought you should realise this, incase you do want finance say in 3 months but get refused, this would be reason why especially the amount being £1000+ .