Letter threatening physical violence cost company its licence says OFT

11 July 2011

The Office of Fair Trading has revoked the licence of debt management company, Parkgate UK Limited, after it sent a threatening letter to a debt collection agency.

The letter, sent on behalf of one of Parkgate’s clients, included a threat of physical violence against the agent should they attempt to collect the client’s debts.
Parkgate apologised for its conduct and said it did not intend to act on the threat.

But the OFT has concluded that the letter, combined with other failings to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to run a consumer credit business, meant Parkgate was unfit to hold a licence.

David Fisher, director of consumer credit at the OFT, says: “Threatening behaviour is unacceptable. The letter Parkgate sent was inappropriate and called into question the company’s fitness to hold a licence.

“We will not tolerate behaviour of this kind as it is a clear breach of the standards we expect from licensed businesses. We have therefore taken the decision to revoke its licence.”

If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Mortgage Strategy and Follow @mortgagestrat