How Long Do Companies Keep Recorded Phone Calls

Originally posted by WOWDesign View Post

Hi All

Basically I just got a call from a credit company on behalf of Virgin Media (formally NTL).

I had broadband with them and cancelled the account when I moved offices. They claimed I was in a two year contract. When I asked them to send me copies of of an agreement I signed stating two years I was told to ignore any invoices and given a reference number.

THIS WAS THREE YEARS AGO.

So tonight I get a call from this credit company asking for the money.

My thought is that Virgin only keep reference numbers for three years and will now turn around and say "Sorry our records don't go back that far". I have the ladies name I spoke to, the date and a reference number.

Also the account was for my now closed Limited company. I have gone back to being a sole trader.

So does anyone know what rights I have please?

Kindest regards
Glynn

Initial response would be "it's in the name of the old MyCo so let them go chase it". If it's closed, and no longer exists, the claim will reach a dead end and vanish in time.

6 years is the limit of liability. If they leave you alone for 6 years with no recovery action, it's a dead debt.

Statutory record keeping is 7 years, so Virgin have to have a record. Even if deleted from their day to day CRM tool, it will be somewhere. Whether they care, or can be arsed to help you, is another matter. Seems the debt is sold on to the debt collector anyway. They won't be interested in any historic agreement you had with Virgin, unless it's in black and white!

So, if the MyCo is dead, so is the debt. If the debt is in your name, or can be claimed against you in some way you have two options. If it's small, pay it and avoid the hassles. If it's for a lot, try and argue your case, and enjoy the stress.

The rub of all this, is that companies are desperate for cash. I am seeing more and more companies opening their files for small debts that are years old. Several people I know have had 3 or 4 year old debts resurface, where for all intense and purpose all recovery had previously ceased.

I am not an expert, just someone who has experienced things first hand. If you need expert advice then seek out a qualified expert. My opinions are just that, my opinions. I could be wrong, and laws change, so trust nothing I say