Mobile Service Provider from 5 Years Ago Sending Me an Outstanding Bill, Do I Need to Pay?

mreddie on 13/05/2020 - 14:24
Last edited 13/05/2020 - 15:47

Just received an email today saying I owe $30+ on an old account with a mobile service provider back in 2015. It then goes on to state "If we do not receive payment within the next 7 business days, we may refer your outstanding debt to a debt collection agency." .

My question, this is the first I've seen of the outstanding balance. Am I obliged to still pay this given I've never seen any reminders prior?

I'm happy to pay if I have to, just never seen a reminder bill come in 5 years later before. NB: I haven't been with said provider since 5 years ago.

Thanks

ADDED bit: Interesting to note the Provider was Jeenee Mobile, but the email (although branded Jeenee) is from Amaysim that seems to have bought out or taken over Jeenee. So I wasn't even with Amaysim 5 years ago, yet they are requesting the money??

Financial

Comments

  • Slippery Fish on 13/05/2020 - 14:29
    +2

    Do you owe the $? If so just pay and move on. It's $30 And $30 today is less then $30 5 years ago lol. #inflation

    • mreddie on 13/05/2020 - 14:40

      Yes I probably owe it although it's 5 years ago, I'm a little foggy on the outstanding amount.

  • GG57 on 13/05/2020 - 14:32

    An email?
    Demands are usually via mail, but maybe they couldn't track you down?

  • trustnoone on 13/05/2020 - 14:41
    +2

    Yeah, I feel like number one would be to ensure its legitimacy. Also make sure thats all it is, I heard that some collection agencies will ask you to pay for a small amount, and then use that payment to prove that you're taking ownership of the debt? 5 Years is a long time though, I'm not a lawyer but I would have to imagine it would only last a number of years. I thought even ATO only checks for 7? I'd be surprised they wouldn't just wipe the $30, take it as a loss (maybe claim on taxes?) which is kind of whats sparking my sceptism.

  • garetz on 13/05/2020 - 14:42
    +1

    It will cost them more to send it to a debt collector than the debt itself, if thats the route they want to take you should call their bluff.

    also ask for proof, like an actual bill that wasnt paid. I wouldnt take them at face value.
    The amount might be small, but they might be trying to scam you for a bigger amount later, if you pay the $30, and then they say there is additional late fees, and whatnot could add up to alot more.

    • ESEMCE on 13/05/2020 - 14:48

      Nope, they sell the debt to the debt collection company and wash their hands of it.
      If the debt collection agency needs to chase you up, they'll add fees.

      For $30 pay and move on (especially if you know or suspect you owe anyway)… nobody needs the hassle of being chased by debt collection for peanuts.

  • hoey888 on 13/05/2020 - 14:46

    I know its properly stupid asking but:

    -it is an genuine email from mobile service provider?
    -is the origin email address from mobile service provider?
    -is the reply to email address from mobile service provider?

    Seek link for phishing examples
    https://www.csu.edu.au/division/dit/services/service-catalog…

    • mreddie on 13/05/2020 - 15:24

      Yes it is genuine, I checked that

  • No on 13/05/2020 - 14:50
    +5

    Now that the airports are closed I think your only option is to pay.

  • Ocker on 13/05/2020 - 14:58

    Even if they sell your debt to a collection agency your debt obligation is only the original amount. You have no legal obligation to pay the debt collectors fees.

  • Jetstream on 13/05/2020 - 15:13
    +1

    Just remember when you can’t get a home loan, or the rate is 1% higher over the 30 years of the loan.

    ‘I am a little foggy on the amount’

    You owe it, pay it.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2020 - 18:21

      Amounts less than $150 cannot be listed on your credit report, so your hypothetical situation is impossible.

  • 87percent on 13/05/2020 - 15:14

    If the provider is Telstra, pm me your number and I’ll look into it

    • mreddie on 13/05/2020 - 15:24

      Jeenee Mobile (now no longer around) bought out or taken over by Amaysim.

  • burningrage on 13/05/2020 - 15:26

    I am 100% certain there is a similar thread like this….

    Also dealing with 5 years old bills as well.

  • RockyRaccoon on 13/05/2020 - 15:29
    +1

    Contact the Phone company and ask them. Then tell them you will refer it to the TIO of they persist in making the claim. You may find they drop it quick smart.

  • Hithere on 13/05/2020 - 15:33

    Is it Optus?

    I've heard a few people are getting this type of email.

    If you have any doubt or you believe that do owe the money just pay the bill.

    Otherwise

    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/debt-debt-collection/dispu…

  • mreddie on 13/05/2020 - 15:43

    See added note above regarding the mobile provider.

  • Almost Banned on 13/05/2020 - 16:09

    Wait until the debt is six years old - then tell them that they are statute barred!

  • cheaplee on 13/05/2020 - 20:09

    Were you getting your bills via email 5yrs ago?

    I personally would probably ignore it or ask for proof. It would take a lot for me to pay it.

    As noted above it would be really hard for debt collectors to make a profit chasing $30.

  • Parrot on 13/05/2020 - 20:30
    +2

    Could it be a fake bill?

    I had someone try to send a fake bill. Somehow some third party got a list of call records which were dumped from Eisa Internet (Dialup) and then claimed I owed them money when I already paid both Telstra and Eisa at the time.

    I know you think it's real, but since you can't even remember the full details about it. It could be a fake one you know… The one I received was very much convincing but after searching on Google at the time I found it was fake.

    Do you remember the breakdown of why you owe that $30? If not, then I would seriously question whether that debt even exists. It could be from a data breach…

    Like seriously, which company goes after someone for $30? That makes it seem very implausible. It is more likely a scammer utilising a data breach and/or amaysim template. Is there anything dodgy about how they want you to pay the bill? Have you checked what the account numbers look like? Maybe call up Amaysim and find out what name that account payment is going to. What happens if you bpay into that account and it goes into someone else's amaysim account?

    It could be a social engineering attack.

  • shake on 22/05/2020 - 17:09

    OP - out of curiosity, where did you get to with Jeenee?

    • mreddie on 23/05/2020 - 14:01
      +1

      Did nothing about it

  • lenspizza on 24/05/2020 - 14:49
    +1

    https://www.tio.com.au/help/billing-and-payments/unclear-del…

    "Unless there are exceptional circumstances, providers must not bill you for charges that you incurred more than 160 days ago."

    Depending on how much you value your time you may be able to fight this by involving the TIO.

    • mreddie on 25/05/2020 - 09:37

      Thanks this answers it perfectly, glad I didn't pay it

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