If this post is incorrectly posted – feel free to move.
Hi Folks! This is the lowdown:
Credit Card is a Visa card through Halifax.
This evening was checking my credit card account online and discovered that €1,572.69
extra was taken out of my account without my authorization or knowledge.
I contacted Halifax and was informed that the amount was taken through 3 separate payments on the 27th - 28th August. The payments went to a website
www.bristowsutor.co.uk This is a website for a UK based company that specializes in enforcement and recovery of debts. The website contains a Barclaycard Merchant Service for the payment of debts.
Bristow & Sutor
Bartleet Road
Washford
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 0FL
Now I must state that I
do not have any outstanding past debts or have been contacted by debt collectors or sheriffs. The only debt that I have is real credit card balance (€382) and a car loan (€10,200) which I recently took out. I am servicing this through monthly payments.
Halifax informed me that I should contact the company directly but when I rang the company it was outside of office hours Monday to Friday. I will ring them Monday. Halifax said that if I do not get any satisfaction from this company that they will immediately initiate an investigation.
I need advice on following:
1.Has anybody heard of this happening before.
2.Would this be similar to a mis-payment or a fraudulent payment?
3.Info in dealing with a Debt collection Agency with a similar scenario or any scenario?How should I approach the phone call on Monday?
4.If Halifax initiate this investigation, how long will it take?How much red tape?
5.Am I liable to for this extra payment?
6.If I don't pay this amount on my credit card , will this effect my Credit Rating?
7.Should I contact my solicitor immediately Monday morning?
Thanks!