Another VVM complaint - please help

[Gizmo Gomez]

Hey all, as per the title, I am being hounded by a company called VVM debt collectors / attorneys. I'm hoping I can get some advise from someone in the know as I feel I am being taken advantage of here.
In 2022 a Vodacom account was handed over to VVM for non payment. I had a balance of 1087.00 which I paid in May of 2022 (I paid 1090.00 directly to VVM via ref number they provided me), I sent proof of payment via email to VVM, a representative responded that a paid up letter would be requested from their "client" Vodacom.

I breathed a sigh of relief that it was out of my hair and kinda forgot about it (I never did get the letter and silly me I never did hound them or follow up).
Fast forward to November 2023 I started getting calls from them again, claiming I owe them R748.00. After disputing this I immediately found the mails from 2022 and sent through to them, telling them I don't owe them money as I was paid up. They responded with a request for me to go to the police station, get an affidavit stating my case, and to provide them with a Certified ID copy, along with 6 specimen signatures????

What am I missing here and why should I go to this length when I have in black and white that my debt was paid up in 2022?

What are my rights here and how should I best proceed with this to avoid more so called fees, and obviously avoid blacklisting?

 

[Rickster]

*I* would call Immanuel and tell him to speak to his co-worker (whoever reached out to you recently) about this and they must fix it.

*I* would tell them not to make their problem mine as they didnt get the paid up letter from voda.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Hey all, as per the title, I am being hounded by a company called VVM debt collectors / attorneys. I'm hoping I can get some advise from someone in the know as I feel I am being taken advantage of here.
In 2022 a Vodacom account was handed over to VVM for non payment. I had a balance of 1087.00 which I paid in May of 2022 (I paid 1090.00 directly to VVM via ref number they provided me), I sent proof of payment via email to VVM, a representative responded that a paid up letter would be requested from their "client" Vodacom.

I breathed a sigh of relief that it was out of my hair and kinda forgot about it (I never did get the letter and silly me I never did hound them or follow up).
Fast forward to November 2023 I started getting calls from them again, claiming I owe them R748.00. After disputing this I immediately found the mails from 2022 and sent through to them, telling them I don't owe them money as I was paid up. They responded with a request for me to go to the police station, get an affidavit stating my case, and to provide them with a Certified ID copy, along with 6 specimen signatures????

What am I missing here and why should I go to this length when I have in black and white that my debt was paid up in 2022?

What are my rights here and how should I best proceed with this to avoid more so called fees, and obviously avoid blacklisting?

So they sent you a statement in 2022 sometime with a value, and you have the proof of payment to VVM for that value with the relevant ref number?
I'd very unpolitely tell them to go and fsck themselves... No need for affadavits, or Certified IDs or specimen signatures. They're just dicking you around you around.

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

take them to the small claims court :

1) it wastes their time because they have to show up in court
2) yes it wastes your time, but it is satisfying watching them lose when you clearly have the paperwork / proof to show you're in good standing.
3) the claim can be against Vodacom or VVM, because Vodacom instructs VVM.

I've never done this but I'm sure you can take anyone to the small claims court?

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

So they sent you a statement in 2022 sometime with a value, and you have the proof of payment to VVM for that value with the relevant ref number?
I'd very unpolitely tell them to go and fsck themselves... No need for affadavits, or Certified IDs or specimen signatures. They're just dicking you around you around.

Well no, I got called on my cell oneday from VVM claiming an account I had with them was in arrears, they quoted a ref number which when I checked corresponded to a 3G card my company initially subsidized, but transferred into my name instead of cancelling it outright (most of the IT staff had a company issued 3G for standby reasons) long story short it was being debited from an account i had stopped using a year prior so the debits bounced. The lady I spoke with gave me banking details to make payment, I paid the money and sent them proof, I never did receive statement, or a paid up letter as they promised they would.

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

take them to the small claims court :

1) it wastes their time because they have to show up in court
2) yes it wastes your time, but it is satisfying watching them lose when you clearly have the paperwork / proof to show you're in good standing.
3) the claim can be against Vodacom or VVM, because Vodacom instructs VVM.

I've never done this but I'm sure you can take anyone to the small claims court?

Yes I think you can take anyone to small claims provided it does not exceed a certain value, I will need to check up on that but i think its R5000.00 or less.

After sending them various strongly worded emails they have since replied with the below:

Good day,

Account number: IXXXXX315



The above matter and correspondence dated the 1st of December 2023 has reference.



Please accept our sincere apology for the inconvenienced caused.



Kindly note that we confirm receipt of the proof of payment dated the 20th of May 2022.



The above matter has been escalated for confirmation and is treated as urgent.



We will provide you with feedback upon our clients response.



I think I might be getting somewhere with these people

 

[epah]

you guys never learn, Never pay the debt collectors directly or else your balance will never go down, pay your original creditor and then tell them to let the debt collectors know that you have paid off your debt.

Debt collectors are scum and you will never finish paying them off, they want you to pay until the day you die, they mission is to make as much money as they can from each single fool who decided to acknowledge the debt and setup a payment arrangement with them.

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

you guys never learn, Never pay the debt collectors directly or else your balance will never go down, pay your original creditor and then tell them to let the debt collectors know that you have paid off your debt.

Debt collectors are scum and you will never finish paying them off, they want you to pay until the day you die, they mission is to make as much money as they can from each single fool who decided to acknowledge the debt and setup a payment arrangement with them.

Eish, "You guys" - I hear you, I wish I had known this last year when they called, but you know what its like they threaten to blacklist you and all sorts of nonsense, unfortunately not all of us are as street smart as we think and let people take advantage....

 

[DStvNothingOn]

funny story a few years back my father got calls and emails from a debt collector for SABC about TV License.
I was spending a lot time at the time in radio park in Auckland Park, and they happen to have a payment office there.
So I go in to the office pay the R200.00 odd bucks and get receipt direct from the SABC.
Send it on the collector, say I now consider this matter closed.
The collector shoots through the roof, why didn't you pay via me, now the debt won't cleared it should have been done via me etc etc.
Told him here is a direct SABC receipt they saying the debt clear matter closed, that was good day seeing there collector loss his....

you guys never learn, Never pay the debt collectors directly or else your balance will never go down, pay your original creditor and then tell them to let the debt collectors know that you have paid off your debt.

Debt collectors are scum and you will never finish paying them off, they want you to pay until the day you die, they mission is to make as much money as they can from each single fool who decided to acknowledge the debt and setup a payment arrangement with them.

Eish, "You guys" - I hear you, I wish I had known this last year when they called, but you know what its like they threaten to blacklist you and all sorts of nonsense, unfortunately not all of us are as street smart as we think and let people take advantage....

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

funny story a few years back my father got calls and emails from a debt collector for SABC about TV License.
I was spending a lot time at the time in radio park in Auckland Park, and they happen to have a payment office there.
So I go in to the office pay the R200.00 odd bucks and get receipt direct from the SABC.
Send it on the collector, say I now consider this matter closed.
The collector shoots through the roof, why didn't you pay via me, now the debt won't cleared it should have been done via me etc etc.
Told him here is a direct SABC receipt they saying the debt clear matter closed, that was good day seeing there collector loss his....

LOL. lost out on their collection fees you see

 

[epah]

Eish, "You guys" - I hear you, I wish I had known this last year when they called, but you know what its like they threaten to blacklist you and all sorts of nonsense, unfortunately not all of us are as street smart as we think and let people take advantage....

Yeah well if you live in South Africa you have to be street smart, Threats from debt collectors is a tactic they use to force you into paying, most times they cant even blacklist you depending on the type of debt they are trying to recover.

Whenever these idiots call tell them to ferk off and only discuss your debts with original lenders.. But now you know, we live and learn.

 

[epah]

funny story a few years back my father got calls and emails from a debt collector for SABC about TV License.
I was spending a lot time at the time in radio park in Auckland Park, and they happen to have a payment office there.
So I go in to the office pay the R200.00 odd bucks and get receipt direct from the SABC.
Send it on the collector, say I now consider this matter closed.
The collector shoots through the roof, why didn't you pay via me, now the debt won't cleared it should have been done via me etc etc.
Told him here is a direct SABC receipt they saying the debt clear matter closed, that was good day seeing there collector loss his....

This is exactly how it should be done, Debt collectors know they can make more from you if you pay them directly, The will keep adding unnecessary fees so they make it impossible for you to ever pay the debt off.

 

[Sargeant]

Just block them - had fraudulent contracts taken out in my name with MTN (another long story and proof again none of these regulations help the consumer one iota!) and even after I got a letter from MTN stating they cleared my record, these buffoons still phone me. They earn commission on what they recover so don't believe for a minute they're going to stop phoning - even if they are wrong!

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

Just block them - had fraudulent contracts taken out in my name with MTN (another long story and proof again none of these regulations help the consumer one iota!) and even after I got a letter from MTN stating they cleared my record, these buffoons still phone me. They earn commission on what they recover so don't believe for a minute they're going to stop phoning - even if they are wrong!

To be honest, when the calls started again I resorted to blocking them via Truecaller over the course of about a month (5 times a day or so), let me tell you I ended up blocking around 15 different numbers before they finally go through on a number Truecaller hadn't yet picked up. Although I have questions and concerns around Truecaller and its methods, in this case it really does help

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

I have since reached out the Council for Debt Collectors, VVM just keep returning my messages with stock standard copy / paste type responses that their "Client" will advise and get back to me. I am not falling for it this time. Anyone had any luck with these guys? They sort of like an Ombudsman from what I gather...

CFDC - Councilsmart

www.councilsmart.org.za

 

[HartsockZA]

Hey all, as per the title, I am being hounded by a company called VVM debt collectors / attorneys. I'm hoping I can get some advise from someone in the know as I feel I am being taken advantage of here.
In 2022 a Vodacom account was handed over to VVM for non payment. I had a balance of 1087.00 which I paid in May of 2022 (I paid 1090.00 directly to VVM via ref number they provided me), I sent proof of payment via email to VVM, a representative responded that a paid up letter would be requested from their "client" Vodacom.

I breathed a sigh of relief that it was out of my hair and kinda forgot about it (I never did get the letter and silly me I never did hound them or follow up).
Fast forward to November 2023 I started getting calls from them again, claiming I owe them R748.00. After disputing this I immediately found the mails from 2022 and sent through to them, telling them I don't owe them money as I was paid up. They responded with a request for me to go to the police station, get an affidavit stating my case, and to provide them with a Certified ID copy, along with 6 specimen signatures????

What am I missing here and why should I go to this length when I have in black and white that my debt was paid up in 2022?

What are my rights here and how should I best proceed with this to avoid more so called fees, and obviously avoid blacklisting?

AS most have already said you deal with the original debt ower and that's Vodacom in your case. Once you have delt with them and have prove of payment of said account and VVM still bugs you then I'd hand the matter over to the Debt Collectors Ombudsman. Had a similar problem with Cell C for R50, yes R50, don't ask. Anyways debt collectors went back and forth and I handed their asses over to the Ombudsman and was sorted within a week. Especially if you have prove of payment in hand.

Service providers never send letters of being paid up, unless the ombudsman requests it from them then they **** themselves and send you one, just have the pop and you'll be ok https://www.cfdc.org.za/

I have since reached out the Council for Debt Collectors, VVM just keep returning my messages with stock standard copy / paste type responses that their "Client" will advise and get back to me. I am not falling for it this time. Anyone had any luck with these guys? They sort of like an Ombudsman from what I gather...

CFDC - Councilsmart

www.councilsmart.org.za

Yes they are, they monitor these guys when they don't actually do their jobs they get warnings and oh man is it wonderful

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

AS most have already said you deal with the original debt ower and that's Vodacom in your case. Once you have delt with them and have prove of payment of said account and VVM still bugs you then I'd hand the matter over to the Debt Collectors Ombudsman. Had a similar problem with Cell C for R50, yes R50, don't ask. Anyways debt collectors went back and forth and I handed their asses over to the Ombudsman and was sorted within a week. Especially if you have prove of payment in hand.

Service providers never send letters of being paid up, unless the ombudsman requests it from them then they **** themselves and send you one, just have the pop and you'll be ok https://www.cfdc.org.za/



Yes they are, they monitor these guys when they don't actually do their jobs they get warnings and oh man is it wonderful

Thanks so much for the advice, what I find funny is, i am still an active Vodacom subscriber - yes you can kick me later lol - but I have not once been contacted by Vodacom for this specific account? (it was an old company subsidised 3G card that was transferred to the staff) long story short it was a valid account, I did owe the money which is why i never dodged VVM in the beginning. They seemed to find me without any issue, so what is Vodacom's excuse? The number i have now was a Vodacom number for over ten years, I only ported to Telkom recently but still have two active Vodacom packages well over 5 years old !?
But how does a debtor hand someone over with no contact being made? Secondly how does it get handed to a debt collector who harasses a person over the phone, without providing statement, or proof in writing of any kind? I was nice enough to acknowledge the debt, pay it, and send them proof only for them to resume the harassment for again unknown charges....

 

[HartsockZA]

Thanks so much for the advice, what I find funny is, i am still an active Vodacom subscriber - yes you can kick me later lol - but I have not once been contacted by Vodacom for this specific account? (it was an old company subsidised 3G card that was transferred to the staff) long story short it was a valid account, I did owe the money which is why i never dodged VVM in the beginning. They seemed to find me without any issue, so what is Vodacom's excuse? The number i have now was a Vodacom number for over ten years, I only ported to Telkom recently but still have two active Vodacom packages well over 5 years old !?
But how does a debtor hand someone over with no contact being made? Secondly how does it get handed to a debt collector who harasses a person over the phone, without providing statement, or proof in writing of any kind? I was nice enough to acknowledge the debt, pay it, and send them proof only for them to resume the harassment for again unknown charges....

Companies sell the debt, booklet of naughty people. Same thing and well it is what it is.

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

AS most have already said you deal with the original debt ower and that's Vodacom in your case. Once you have delt with them and have prove of payment of said account and VVM still bugs you then I'd hand the matter over to the Debt Collectors Ombudsman. Had a similar problem with Cell C for R50, yes R50, don't ask. Anyways debt collectors went back and forth and I handed their asses over to the Ombudsman and was sorted within a week. Especially if you have prove of payment in hand.

Service providers never send letters of being paid up, unless the ombudsman requests it from them then they **** themselves and send you one, just have the pop and you'll be ok https://www.cfdc.org.za/



Yes they are, they monitor these guys when they don't actually do their jobs they get warnings and oh man is it wonderful

Seems these guys can get quite heavy....my complaint with the CDC has been accepted and gone through, they have instructed VVM to respond to my claims within 5 days, providing proof that I have been furnished the necessary paperwork (which they haven't) or they will be "disciplined" through an inquiry.

 

[Gizmo Gomez]

It's not the amount of money, it's the principle behind it. I was raised with good moral standards and ethics but unfortunately have come to realize not everyone else follows the same. If they want to suck money from me they picked on the wrong person, Im generally a nice guy until you piss me off