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Debt help please - from o2 account

3 replies

JustKeepSw1mming · 10/01/2025 21:25

Hi,
Any help greatly appreciated on a small debt that has increased exponentially.
I signed up to Virgin Internet that had a £10 per month o2 phone contract as part of it. I didn't need the phone contract, but the overall package was good. I never used the phone and forgot the number. After the end of the contract, I stupidly just cancelled the direct debit, as I didn't know the phone number of the account (as I had never used it) to contact o2.
O2 started sending me emails to pay, which went to junk. Eventually I realised what had happened so phoned o2 to pay. I asked to cancel to whole contract. O2 said that I had to pay the outstanding amount first, then phone back to cancel at the the end of the month. They would not let me cancel there and then. I paid the outstanding.
I phoned back a few weeks later, by which time more charges had been added. I paid all the amount owing and asked to close the account. As far as i was aware this was all closed. This was several months ago (maybe Aug?)
However, for some reason there was still £10 added on after this. Again as emails were going to junk I didn't get them. They did send a letter, which I hadn't responded to yet.
Then in Dec they have sent me to a debt recovery agency. I have been away for 3 weeks over Christmas and hadn't opened post for a couple of weeks before that.
There was a letter from a debt recovery agency for £40 in early Dec, then one a couple of weeks later that says I owe more than £500
I'm panicking. What do I do?
Thanks

OP posts:
PickledPurplePickle · 11/01/2025 06:30

Speak to them

AConcernedCitizen · 11/01/2025 09:17

If you're disputing that you owe the money, you'll need to speak to them.

You'll will have evidence (email or letter) of your account being closed in August. They should also have a record of this. If this is the case they will be able to cancel the debt.

However it sounds like you probably do owe them money and have been putting off dealing with it. Emails 'going to junk' isn't really an excuse - you're aware it's happening so you should have marked the first one as not junk to prevent it. You've also ignored a letter.

If you do owe the £500 and can't pay up front, they will almost certainly offer a payment plan.

JustKeepSw1mming · 11/01/2025 15:12

Thanks for your advice guys. I put my big girl pants on and phoned them this morning. Turns out that when I cancelled they erroneously signed me up to a new contract. They have offered me £400 back - the cost if the outstanding contract.
Hopefully I can also be refunded the past few months worth of bills too...

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