Recent Oriel communications

[bottleredhead]

Sorry if I sound a bit dim, but we too have received a letter from Oriel.

What should we do now? (the person it is addressed to doesnt even exist here!)

Also, I have no idea how they got our details because no-one here has made any contact with Platte

Many thanks

[ForumFriend]

These comments are all very concerning, given that Platte is no longer trading in the UK.

However, I think there is a general point to be made to everyone who has heard from Oriel, which is to put in writing that you dispute this so-called debt, with perhaps your individual explanation of why this is.  As Oriel are a bona fide company, it is, I think, important to have a record of your dispute over the debt, just in case there is any attempt to take the matter further.  Unfortunately, a telephone conversation leaves (from your point of view) no trace, while a letter does.  And, by the way, I would send such a letter by recorded delivery since this would be evidence that you sent the letter in question (hang onto the receipt). With recorded delivery, the Post Office will have a record that the letter was delivered, so there'll be no way out for Oriel.

Since you are in dispute with Platte/Oriel over the debt, they will be somewhat constrained over what they can do.

[Mister Cinema]

I was fortunate to escape Platte's clutches, but only after many hours of hassle which I, and all their other victims, could have done without. I'm sorry to hear some people are still being chased for money by Oriel. Tell them go take a jump!!!

To MsC: I am no more than a 'barrack-room lawyer' but my advice is simple. DON'T PAY!
If worried about being listed as a debtor with any credit reference agency - although it's unlikely you will be - it should be possible to have this corrected by supplying the facts.

To Dave McDave: You wrote, 'The person at Trading Standards she spoke to told her, and this is a direct quote, "You might as well pay it. Cos they'll only get you in the end and you'll probably end up paying court fees as well." This made me absolutely livid.'

I entirely agree. My local TS have always been helpful, but regarding Platte they checked with OFT and were informed that Platte was not illegal. This is the one and only time I've felt let down with TS, but, of course, they were "Only Following Orders!".    Frankly, it's time OFT took their finger out and did something intelligent and useful for a change.

[Dave McDave]

Hi all, unfortunately, due to risking my family having bad thoughts about me put into their heads, I gave in to the bullying tactics of Platte and Oriel and paid them the money. And I still have to clear stupid little pop-up's which pop up twice a day, every day.

How long must we continue to be subjected to these bullying tactics?

Are you still getting these pop ups now John? As they are very easy to remove. Many free programs available on the internet will remove it from your computer and stop it from returning. I'll be happy to provide details if you need them.

McDave

[brummielad]

hi yes the letter from oriel is not dated properly it just say march but arrived wednesday the 25th of march it went to trading standards saturday the 28th of march and should have arrived with them monday the 30th of march i hope this is helpfull to you best wishes brummielad

[Abusebyit]

In the 12 months or so that I have been aware of the Platte scam the statutory authorities have been very bad at dealing with this matter, mainly ignoring it or being so slow to act that many people have suffered.

I would suggest four things:

First, NEVER pay, no matter what the threats / risks with credit etc (95% of credit reference agency records have errors in them). Second, contact the news media, there was an article which is somewhere in this Forum written by (I think) the Guardian.
Third, report the matter to Trading Standards.
Fourth, make an appointment to meet your MP.

[Bob]

Hi,

My father has received correspondence from Platte International (starting 13th Feb 09) demanding money.  These letters have been incorrectly/incompletely addressed and are missing a named person.  There are four computer users in the household, none of whom have any knowledge of Platte or 'Getfilmsnow'.  None of us have had the pop-ups on our pcs.

Having spoken to Trading Standards a few weeks ago, they suggested we write to Platte stating that as they didn't have the address details correct, how could someone here have possibly completed their '7-stage sign-up process'.  We didn't hear anything from Platte but have now received a letter from Oriel Collections Ltd. 

I phoned a Mr Owen Williams at Oriel (being careful not to give my name!) and told him we were in dispute with Platte and would not be paying.  I also asked him how he intended to pursue this debt as he didn't even have a named person to pursue.  He said 'it would obviously be problematical'.  I've left it that we would definitely not be paying and would put this in writing to them.

[em gee]

I havent heard from oriel recently but did get a threatening letter from them towards the end of last year and ended up paying my £29.99. I had had enough and just wanted it to end.... I havent heard from Platte or oriel since.

[ForumFriend]

I find that very sad.  I would like to think that you will write to the OFT and tell them that you feel that their lack of action has led to you being bullied into paying somebody money that you did not owe.

If anyone else reads this and has done the same thing (ie. not signed up to Platte but paid money to them under duresse) perhaps you would drop me a line about it. 

Thanks

[Dave McDave]

Sorry if I sound a bit dim, but we too have received a letter from Oriel.

What should we do now? (the person it is addressed to doesnt even exist here!)

Also, I have no idea how they got our details because no-one here has made any contact with Platte

Many thanks

If they are trying to get money out of someone that doesn't exist at your address, then just do what I do when I was getting mail at my home for people I'd never heard of. Simply write "NOT KNOWN AT THIS ADDRESS" & "REMOVE FROM MAILING LIST" on the front of the letter. Then drop it back into the post box. Don't even open it, as opening mail not addressed to you is actually a crime.
I've found this also works for spam letters from companies such as Sky, Virgin, etc.

[acer]

ye like most i have the same problem. received a letter from oriel today about debt outstanding £54.99 and dated "april 2009". not even an exact date, how the hell are these companies still active!

complete nonsense, no one in our house hold would ever think of registering for a paid internet service such as this. there is no way i am going to pay for a service that firstly never new about let alone addressed to any one in the house hold.

just says "computer owner", silly because we have about 4 computer owners here. i have had a look at the forum, can any give a  letter template that i can send to oriel. i have never had this situation before so i am not sure how i would structure it.

i think i had received a letter from platte a while back but just threw it away as i thought it was spam. the fact that so many people have been having the same problem and yet no major actions have been taken is really frustrating.

has any one here had any replies after letter contact with oriel?

thanks.

[ForumFriend]

This is interesting, and I think others affected in this way need to be aware of the OFT guidelines for debt collection, to which I've already referred in another post.

It would appear to me that Oriel  are in contravention of the OFT guidelines for debt collection because they are  behaving unfairly by sending demands for payment to  somebody when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question, by addressing  communications to ‘the computer owner’ or ‘the occupier’.   

[Fergus]

We have been dealing with Platte since late last year.  Have just come across this forum, wish I had looked before. 

Started to recieve pop up messages about unpaid account - £29.99, made the fatal mistake of calling them, same old story passed on my post code and house number, then the letters started coming. 

Contacted Consumer Direct for advice.  Sent a letter to Platte on 07 March 2009 asking for proof of the contract we supposedly entered into, have not received a reply.

However received on Friday 3rd April 2009 a letter from Oriel dated April 2009, addressed to our surname, no christian name or initial.  Account now standing at £54.99 due to an admin cost!  Have responded to Oriel as advised by Consumer Direct, along with copies of correspondence to Platte, saying we are in dispute with Platte and have no intentions of paying anything.

How has this been allowed to go on in this day and age, I can understand why people pay up just for peace and quiet.

Letter content:

Dear (surname)

Oriel Collections Ltd have been appointed by Platte International to collect the above outstanding amount.  Thus relates to your purchase of a subscription for the access to online digital entertainment.  This amount is overdue and payable immediately.  It is important that you therefore call us on 0845 226 1816 to pay this within the next 7 days.  On behalf of Platte International we accept all major debit and credit cards or we are happy to discuss other methods of payment.

Owen Williams
Collections Advisor
Tel
Fax
EMail

Let's hope Oriel disappear along with Platte International!

[Hef]

Hi,
I have also received a letter with the same text as the above although mine was addressed to 'The Computer Owner'. I received this letter after several from Platte informing that I had an outstanding fee and like others I had not registered on their site. The letter from Oriel was delivered around 30th March and I replied to that letter on 2nd April (not recorded delivery but certificate of postage) informing them that I am in dispute with Platte and would not be paying the £54.99 fee. I recieved another letter from Oriel yesterday 7th April which read exactly the same as the first letter, so either they sent the same letter 7 days after the first one or they sent it again in response to my letter. Am not sure what to do next so will probably wait another week or so to see if I receive any more letters from Oriel. Has anyone else had more than one letter from Oriel?

[ForumFriend]

Hef, if they have sent a second letter so soon after the first, and despite your reply, they are probably making you feel that they are harassing you.  This, along with sending a letter that does not identify an individual at your address, would appear to contravene the OFT guidelines for debt collection.  You might wish, if you choose to reply to them, to point this out.  Alternatively, you might prefer to complain direct to the OFT about the activities of Oriel (and Platte, by the way).