leemg Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Hi, I returned to the UK in 2010 and as far as I am aware I closed all my bank accounts, which were in credit and settled all my bills. I had no loans or credit cards while in Australia. Recently I had an email from "baycorp" regarding an "urgent business issue". I emailed them and they asked me to confirm my details, I gave them my last address in Aus but not my current as I genuinely do not know what this is in relation to. What, if any, authority do these guys have to seek me in the UK for outstanding debt and if they wont confirm to me what this is about, how am I supposed to rectify it. Anyone experienced similar? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docboat Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I would report that to the police as an attempt to extort money, and let the paperwork chase baycorp rather than the other way round ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'd treat it as suspect for now and be very wary about giving out any info to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Did you chuck them in to google? https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/scams/companies-you-should-not-deal-with/unlicensed-companies-list/b/baycorp-international Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I would personally contact them and find out what they chasing you for - give them the address of Buckingham Palace if all they want is an address - http://www.baycorp.com.au/Clients/DebtCollection.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyupnorth Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 They could be phishing for your details, you only have their word that they are who they say they are....report it. Would you give your details to a Nigerian lottery syndicate, I think not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'd make the most of the power of the internet and go research email and phishing scams and use a few variations in your search terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'd make the most of the power of the internet and go research email and phishing scams and use a few variations in your search terms. Searching 'Baycorp Debt' reveals there is a legitimate looking debt recovery service in Australia with that name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Searching 'Baycorp Debt' reveals there is a legitimate looking debt recovery service in Australia with that name. There may well be, but I'd always always treat any email of that kind with utmost caution and never give out any info without verifying it was legit and checking if the actual email was genuine or the links etc in the email not dodgy etc. And research fully first before replying to any email. There are ways and means of picking up a scam or dissing one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 There may well be, but I'd always always treat any email of that kind with utmost caution and never give out any info without verifying it was legit and checking if the actual email was genuine or the links etc in the email not dodgy etc. And research fully first before replying to any email. There are ways and means of picking up a scam or dissing one out. Absolutely.. I would never make contact via email. I would ask for a contact number and expect and Australian accent to answer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Baycorp is a legitimate debt collection agency and do persue international collections - but that doesn't mean they are the ones who contacted you. Their publically listed contract number is +61 2 9806 2581. I would call them and suss it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 47403 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Searching 'Baycorp Debt' reveals there is a legitimate looking debt recovery service in Australia with that name. There's also legitimate businesses called Santander and Lloyds bank, neither of which I bank with however occasionally they (someone pretending to be them) send me emails asking me to confirm my bank account details to them. OP If your happy you owe nothing I'd totally ignore them and not even open emails from them. TBH i'd ignore them even if you do owe money you are in the UK now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 OP If your happy you owe nothing I'd totally ignore them and not even open emails from them. TBH i'd ignore them even if you do owe money you are in the UK now. Why? Do you think they'll get bored and go away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 47403 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Why? Do you think they'll get bored and go away? Yes if OP is happy he has no outstanding debt and they receive no response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I thought they didn't have the power to enforce debt collection between Aus and the UK it's been done to death on here a million times in the past . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 47403 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I thought they didn't have the power to enforce debt collection between Aus and the UK it's been done to death on here a million times in the past . Correct! It gets boring then the morality police get involved and it gets even more boring :SLEEP: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Absolutely.. I would never make contact via email. I would ask for a contact number and expect and Australian accent to answer... I wouldn't ask them for a contact number. I would use a number that you found for the company from a legitimate source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemg Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 Thanks for the responses, after a few email communications, these guys seem fairly legit although I have no idea what it is in relation to. We seem to be in stalemate as they wont confirm what it is about until I confirm "security", i.e. my address etc, and of course I refuse to give them any UK details until I know what they want. As mentioned to the best of my knowledge I settled all my bills etc on departure. However it concerns me these guys, have my old address in oz. Someone mentioned the debt thing had been done to death, can anyone give an absolute answer as to whether these guys have any authority in the UK or whether they can forward any alleged "debt" to UK collection agents. My other concern if there was a legitimate debt left outstanding, utility bill or something ridiculous, these guys will have inflated the debt out of all proportion with extortionate interest and costs. From what I can gather 99% of these types of companies operate on the fringes of what is legal and essentially deal in peoples misery and extortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'm sorry if that term caused offence that wasn't my intention it was a reference to past arguments on here. I'm not sure anyone can give you a definite answer unless they are legally qualified to. Maybe asked Citizens Advice or a solicitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsan Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Australia, Desiring to provide, on the basis of reciprocity, for the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters; Have agreed as follows: www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1994/Uksi_19941901_en_2.htm The above link basically says that a court order (Civil and Commercial Matters) made in either country, can be enforced in the other country. But Civil and Commerical matters are not consumer debt, ie credit cards etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dxboz Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 My OH started getting texts about a debt in another state - couldn't think what it was so I rang them - it was an outstanding utility bill - no idea it was outstanding - paid $80 solicitors fees and outstanding amount - fixed! It is probably something like this - of course they will not disclose debt to you if you do not confirm who you are. If you really want to get to the bottom of this confirm your details with them. As for you getting emails - you probably gave that as your contact - just like I gave my OH's mobile umber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemg Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Australia,Desiring to provide, on the basis of reciprocity, for the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters; Have agreed as follows: www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1994/Uksi_19941901_en_2.htm The above link basically says that a court order (Civil and Commercial Matters) made in either country, can be enforced in the other country. But Civil and Commerical matters are not consumer debt, ie credit cards etc Thanks Kevsan, I do not understand your last sentence. Are you stating that consumer debt are not covered by this agreement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I do not think that anyone seeking repayment of money would do so via email. I never open any of these types of emails and have found gmail accounts very good, gmail picks them all up. They play on our curiosity, if I see one that I think could be legit I do not contact via the email, contact the source and check. Snopes is a good place to visit too if there is any doubt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graemsay Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 In the UK there are a number of these collection agencies. What they do is buy up unpaid debts for pennies in the pound, and then chase up those named in an attempt to make easy money. Quite often the debt doesn't actually exist. I've been approached by one of these companies, and it was over a broadband bill for the month after I'd cancelled it. The same thing happened to my brother over a mobile phone bill. It's also possible that the debt is owed by someone else with the same name. If you're convinced that the company is legitimate then get in touch with them, and ask for proof that it's owed. I'd also check on the Australian laws covering debt collectors to ensure that they're not loading the payment with fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citation560XL Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Did you chuck them in to google? https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/scams/companies-you-should-not-deal-with/unlicensed-companies-list/b/baycorp-international Thank God for google :notworthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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