The debt collection regulator Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued related "minded to revoke" (MTR) notices to Roxburghe, HFO Services Ltd and HFO Capital Ltd, all of which are trading names of HFO Services, on 20 May.
If you log on to www.roxburghe.com you will see that they state, in a very prominent position, that they were ‘Consumer debt collector of the year 2009’.
To balance things out why don’t they add the following? ‘We have been issued with a ‘Minded to refuse/revoke licence’. That to me is just as important as the other statement!
They also have a section on their website under the heading of -
The real difference is people;
It states;-
What makes Roxburghe truly stand out from traditional debt recovery agencies is the diligence we apply to training and developing our personnel. This is how we ensure that all your debtors will be dealt with sensitively, according to their situation.
All Roxburghe staff are encouraged and equipped to help our clients and their debtors achieve a positive outcome.
I just wonder how this statement stands scrutiny in the light of the OFT’s action.
Has action by Roxburghe, HFO Services Ltd and HFO Capital Ltd affected you?
If you have been affected by any of the above firms and wish to furnish information to the OFT to help them decide whether they are fit and proper to hold their licence to trade then write to the OFT as the address below. Make sure to add the following in the heading of the letter or at the beginning of the OFT address;
Information re HFO/Roxburgh Licence
Enquiries and Reporting Centre
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX.
Minded to refuse/revoke a licence
Where there are substantiated doubts about a trader's fitness to operate, the OFT issues a 'Minded to Refuse' or 'Minded to Revoke' Notice (MTR).
This is a formal notice advising the applicant or licensee that the OFT is minded to refuse to grant them a licence or is minded to revoke their existing licence. It invites them to make representations to an independent OFT adjudicator who will make a decision on the case.
The trader retains their licence until the adjudication process and any subsequent appeal is concluded.
It's not a crime to be in debt
Many individuals who are in debt are often subject to unnecessary harassment by lenders so it is important that they know their rights and how to deal with overzealous debt collection agencies.
Just remember it is not a crime to be in debt so ensure you are treated with respect. The last debtor’s prison was shut in 1869 and society has moved on somewhat.
Below we have two links which will help you understand your consumer rights;
Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Debt Collection Guidelines
How to stop creditor harassment + template letters
We explain what is harassment, what you can do if you feel you are being harassed, what legislation is out there to help you and we also offer two template letters to send to the 'harassing' debt collection agency/lender.
Harassment Letter 1 - This letter is designed to send to the lender or Debt Collecting Agency (DCA) pursuing you for a debt you do not owe or is in dispute.
Harassment Letter 2 - This letter is designed to send to the lender or Debt Collection Agency (DCA) to stop harassment, in whatever form.
View harassment and template letters
