MAY 31, 1970

MRS M. HENSHAW, of Edinburgh, owed £3 to a mail-order firm when her payment book went missing. It slipped her mind until April 14 when she’d a letter from a debt collecting firm.

They said that, with legal fees, she now owed £12. If she didn’t pay by return post, her name and address would be in the papers for a warrant sale of her furniture. Mrs Henshaw sent £2 that day and £10 the next.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the firm sent two receipts. That’s the end of that, she thought.

Imagine how angry she felt when on May 4 someone phoned her at work to tell her that her name and address were in the paper for a Sheriff Officer’s sale.

And how ashamed when she went home that night and heard people in the street talking about her. Mr Henshaw phoned the debt collectors. They confirmed the debt was clear. Yet he was told he’d still have to pay £35 for the advert. Mrs Henshaw wonders how such a tangle can happen. We asked the firm. They say they handle thousands of debt transactions every day.

If a reference number isn’t clearly stated with a payment, there can be a delay in stopping the legal process. I’m glad to say the firm apologise to Mrs H. They confirm her name is clear. They are looking into the question of a retraction.

I hope some way can he found to make sure no one else finds themselves in Mrs Henshaw’s position—nearly three weeks after a debt has been paid.