Horizon Finance premium rate call back scam

El Gringo · #1 13-August-2009, 22:55

El Gringo · #2 25-June-2010, 14:59

http://www.creditman.biz/uk/members/...hksrc=NNow4251

Citizens Advice top tips on fake loans:
* Never pay money up front
* Never give out bank account details to cold callers
* Be very wary of cold calls offering loans, and internet sites offering quick and easy credit
* If it looks too good to be true it usually is
* If you need credit, shop around, use a trusted source and always check the paperwork
* If you’ve already paid money up front for a non-existent loan, inform Trading Standards (·www.tradingstandards.gov.uk). The Consumer Credit Act says that all but £5 of any brokerage fees should be refunded if no loan is taken up within 6 months.
* If you suspect a scam or fraud, report it to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040, the National Fraud Authority’s reporting line.
* Get free, confidential, independent debt advice from any Citizens Advice Bureau (go to www.adviceguide.org.uk for more information and contact details).

manny · #3 25-June-2010, 18:19

thanks el-gringo for sharing.

El Gringo · #4 02-August-2010, 22:10

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Calls.aspx/090

13
09064001864
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 5 h 56 min ago
5
09064001863
Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them making an ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 6 h 8 min ago
3
09064001862
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised. ARE CASH FINANCE DIRECT A LEGITIMATE COMPANY? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 6 h 12 min ago
8
09064001861
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised. ARE CASH FINANCE DIRECT A LEGITIMATE COMPANY? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 6 h 17 min ago
2
09064001860
Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them making an ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 6 h 20 min ago
10
09064001859
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised. ARE CASH FINANCE DIRECT A LEGITIMATE COMPANY? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 6 h 23 min ago
3
09041690414
A ja dostałem SMS-a, że mam pod ten numer zadzwonić w sprawie pracy, do niejakiego Adama i powołać się na jakąś Kasię, rzekomą nadawczynię SMS-a. SMS przyszedł z numeru 07732197965. Więc chyba należy przestrzec przed oboma. Przypuszczam że tamten 0904... po prostu doi z kasy.
Last post by aro - 6 h 50 min ago
5
09064001858
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to address some of the questions which have been raised. ARE CASH FINANCE DIRECT A LEGITIMATE COMPANY? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 8 h 6 min ago
8
09064001857
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to address some of the issues which have been raised. WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 8 h 35 min ago
4
09064001877
Who rang this number and who does this number belong to?
Last post by Ian Dunn - 9 h 22 min ago
6
09064001856
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 44 min ago
4
09064001855
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 46 min ago
5
09064001854
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 47 min ago
2
09064001853
Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them making an ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 53 min ago
5
09064001852
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 55 min ago
3
09064001851
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 56 min ago
19
09064001850
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 9 h 57 min ago
8
09064001849
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 0 min ago
5
09064001848
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 2 min ago
1
09064001847
Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them making an ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 4 min ago
6
09064001846
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 6 min ago
1
09064001845
Hi Philip, Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 9 min ago
13
09064001844
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised. WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT? Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 11 min ago
6
09064001843
Hi, I work within the Customer Services Department at Cash Finance Direct and after reading your posts I wanted to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions which have been raised: WHO IS CASH FINANCE DIRECT Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 21 min ago
2
09064001842
Hi Philip, Cash Finance Direct Limited, trading as Horizon Finance, is a master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans. We do not lend the money ourselves, but take your details through our telephone service, and pass them on to our extensive panel of lenders with the intent of them ...
Last post by Cash Finance Direct - 10 h 23 min ago

i wonder if somebody has finally had a word with this 'master finance broker who helps individuals to arrange loans'

El Gringo · #5 27-September-2010, 22:21

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PENMAN...GER-a060332544
PENMAN AND ALFORD'S SORTED COLUMN: RETURN OF LOAN DANGER.
1999

PARASITE Mark Pickston is back to his old tricks, ripping people off with his bogus offers to fix credit ratings.

Pickston runs Manchester-based Horizon Finance, the trading name for Cash Finance Direct Ltd.

Last year Sorted revealed how Horizon promised to act as a credit repair agent for a pounds 45 fee.

Victims got an "information pack" - which consisted of widely-known facts available from any Citizens Advice Bureau.

Horizon is under investigation by the Office of Fair Trading who have warned Pickston that they are considering revoking his consumer credit licence.

Undeterred, Horizon has been sending out unsolicited mail claiming to find people loans despite debts or County Court judgements.

The leaflet reads "Please telephone us urgently ... We have tried to contact you regarding your loan application."

But replies to the leaflet go to a premium rate phone number which costs pounds 1 a minute - and the call lasts up to 15 minutes before you are told to call back to another premium rate line.

But Pickston's scam has been rumbled.

The premium rate watchdog ICSTIS found that Horizon made four "serious breaches" of guidelines and fined them pounds 500.

http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints-and...ADJ_47068.aspx
ASA Adjudication on Cash Finance Direct Ltd
Cash Finance Direct Ltd t/a Horizon Finance
Floor 7
Dale House
Tiviot Dale
Stockport
Cheshire
SK1 1TA

Date: 14 October 2009
Media: Direct mail
Sector: Financial

Number of complaints: 1
Complaint Ref: 98582

Ad
A mailing from Horizon Finance addressed to the recipient stated "Congratulations! - Your application was passed to us by a company that you applied to last year. Even though you may have been refused credit in the past we have pre-processed your application and feel sure that we can accept you for an Instant Cash Loan." The mailing was sent in a white window envelope with no return address or identity of the sender.

Issue
1. A recipient challenged whether the mailing complied with the CAP Code. She had not previously applied for a loan and was concerned that her identity may have been cloned and her credit worthiness affected.

2. The ASA challenged whether the envelope made clear that it contained marketing material.

CAP Code (Edition 11)
3.17.122.1
Response
1. Horizon Finance said their data sources provided them with details of clients who had applied for a loan in the past. They said some of those applications might have been made online, through money and loan comparison sites, for instance, where the process was very brief and less memorable but where applicants did, nevertheless, give their permission for their details to be passed on to third parties. Horizon Finance said each data source they dealt with had a contractual guarantee that the clients whose information they passed on to them had opted in to receive promotional information. They said that, because of confidentiality agreements, their data suppliers were unable to disclose the source of the recipient's details. However, Horizon Finance said they had not yet had an instance where they had been unable to prove that permission had been given. They said that, in any case, no credit searches were performed without the express permission of the applicant, so the recipient's credit worthiness would not have been affected. They confirmed that they had now removed the recipient's details from their mailing lists.

2. Horizon Finance said they had recently experienced difficulties with their envelope suppliers and it appeared that, on this occasion, one of the temporary envelopes they had substituted for a short period of time may not have contained information such as Horizon's name and return postal address. They said they had now put further mailings on hold until the situation was rectified.

Assessment
1. Upheld

The ASA welcomed Horizon Finance's assurance that they had now removed the recipient from their mailing lists. We considered, however, that recipients were likely to be concerned that the mailing stated that details of a loan application they had not made had been passed on to Horizon Finance. We reminded Horizon Finance that the CAP Code placed ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of marketing material on the advertiser. Because Horizon Finance had been unable to show that the recipient had previously applied for a loan, we concluded that the mailing was misleading.

On this point, the ad breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation) and 7.1 (Truthfulness).

2. Upheld

We concluded that the envelope should have been clearly marked to show that it contained marketing material to avoid any confusion or ambiguity about its status.

On this point, the ad breached CAP Code clauses 7.1 (Truthfulness) and 22.1 (Recognising marketing communications).

Action
We told Horizon Finance to ensure that mailings did not suggest that recipients had applied for financial products when they had not and to ensure that clients had given their consent to be contacted. We also told them to ensure envelopes were clearly marked to show that they contained marketing material.

.

El Gringo · #6 28-September-2010, 22:49

the following is recent on-going action being taken to clean up this whole Debt/Loan 'industry' in general.

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/
Debt management firms that fleece the poor face the axe
SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

The watchdog Office of Fair Trading is threatening to put scores of rogue "debt management" firms out of business unless they clean up their act.

The firms prey on some of the poorest in society, claiming to be able to help deal with debt issues.

But an OFT investigation
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updat...ay?prid=745674
has found that the industry is riddled with problems, including firms that:

*Claim to office free advice when in fact there are charges;

*Offer incompetent advice;

*Refuse to tell potential customers about free advice offered by charities and Government departments such as the Insolvency Service - which you can find here.
http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/pdfs/gu...indebt-web.pdf

*Ignore Financial Ombudsman Service rules;

Now 129 debt management companies have been given three months to prove that they are following industry guidelines.

Ones that fail risk having their consumer credit licence withdrawn, which would effectively put them out of business.

"People who are heavily indebted, desperate and vulnerable need advice which makes their problem better not worse and should not be exploited," said Ray Watson, director of the OFT's consumer credit group.

"Debt management firms must be clear about their charges and the options available to customers.

'The level of non-compliance we found across the industry is unacceptable. If any of the 129 firms identified do not improve their standards substantially they will be the subject of licensing action by the OFT."

The watchdog is not naming the 129 firms threatened with closure, but there are details of some firms already shut down here.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosit...0&SubjectId=36
The Insolvency Service
Group of Cheshire based companies including theloansupermarket.co.uk shut down after Insolvency Service investigation
04 June 2010 12:00

A group of Cheshire-based companies offering debt management and loan brokerage services to financially distressed clients have been wound-up in the High Court following an investigation by Company Investigations of the Insolvency Service.

Carter & Carter Financial (Management) Limited, theloansupermarket.co.uk Limited, Easysteploans (UK) Limited and T.L.G Loans Limited were wound up on the grounds that their businesses served to operate against the public interest. Carter & Carter Financial Limited, which also formed part of the investigation, was wound-up separately on a creditor’s petition.

Initially a debt management service was offered by the companies whereby they established how much disposable income a client had available to meet claims by creditors and a payment plan was agreed with those creditors on behalf of the client. Regular payments were collected from clients for onward payment to creditors after the deduction of fees. However, the investigation found numerous complaints that monies had been collected from clients, but not paid over to creditors. The debt management business was found to have operated in breach of Office of Fair Trading guidelines aimed at protecting consumers.

Subsequently the companies moved into loan brokerage, representing that they would source loan finance on behalf of clients. Clients were recruited through advertising and when they contacted the companies they were asked to provide credit/debit card details, purportedly for an ‘identity verification check’. However, no system was in place by which a client was credit-checked or otherwise assessed during the course of the call. Instead the process was found to be a device to obtain a client’s card details in order to charge unauthorised brokerage fees. In addition, clients were misled as to the likelihood of obtaining a loan. Of some 10,000 applications made to one master broker approached by the companies, only 71 had successfully resulted in a loan being made to the client.

In addition to debt management and loan brokerage clients not receiving the services they had paid for, the investigation also revealed financial excess on the part of the company directors who made substantial cash withdrawals, leased a number of prestige cars and purchased Rolex watches which were passed to family members.

Commenting on the case Colin Cronin of The Insolvency Services, Company Investigations said; "Companies using deliberately misleading offers for financial gain is serious misconduct and it undermines the confidence the public have in business. I hope the action taken against these financial companies sends a clear and simple message; if you set out to rip off your clients you will be closed down.

“This action should also serve as an important reminder to anyone seeking the services of a debt management or loan brokerage company, always check the validity of any company asking for your personal banking details and quickly inform your financial provider if you notice any subsequent unusual activity.”

Delroy Corinaldi of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said; “Offering to help desperate people to repay their debts and pocketing the money is despicable and the Insolvency Service has done well to get these companies shut down. Unfortunately they are not the first and they will not be the last to prey on the vulnerable and I would urge those with debt problems to look to the charitable sector for help."

i'm not implying for one moment that Horizon is involved in any of the above bad practices that are described but does it explain the recent desperate attempt of Horizon Finance (Cash Finance Direct) to clean up their act and repair their image.

El Gringo · #7 11-November-2010, 15:36

28 October 2010
Information provider N/A
Service provider Cash Finance Direct Limited trading as Horizon Finance
Information provider location N/A
Service provider location London
Telephone network Cable & Wireless UK Limited, London
Service type Live service
Cost £1.50 per minute
Number of complaints 31
Source of complaint Members of the public
Fine 50000

Sanction A Formal Reprimand; The Tribunal commented that it expected claims for refunds to continue to be paid by the Service Provider for the full amount spent by complainants, except where there is good cause to believe that such claims are not valid.

The Investigation

The Executive conducted a preliminary investigation into the Service Provider’s service on 20 April 2010.

The Tribunal made a decision on the alleged breaches raised by the Executive on 28 October 2010

The Service Provider obtained prior permission for this service in 1999

The cost paid by individual consumers was high. One consumer was charged over £38
It stated that, from the 130,000 users of its service this year alone

The revenue in relation to this service fell within the low range of Band 1 (£500,000+)

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/09064001800

martin owen
4 Oct 2008
just had phone bill, 10 min call to (or from?) this number has cost £16,53, don't know who this is
[.....]
fifteen pages of complaints and two years later
[....]
andrew hemming
19 h 41 min ago
scam ripoff they got my mother to call back and said nothing when they answered the line and charged £21.60 then with the other scam number which is 09064001802 they charged £15.82 this scam should be stopped and they should be prosecuted,im the one who pays the phone bill and to lose £38 to these ******** ****es me off
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

the two rolls of Phonepayplus is to con the public and to occupy the ground where genuine consumer protection should be

Cormoran · #8 11-November-2010, 16:42

Text received from +447935989346
Wipe off your debts!:
Begin your application today and start to wipe off debt with a 'New Goverment Settlement Order' from April 2010.
Reply YES to find out more.

This text arrived late last night, from what I have found it seems to have been doing the rounds since last week from several different numbers;

+447935989346
07562784716
07516184875
07564683545
07510819362
07562784667

Originally Posted by Posted on MSE

I replied to the text and the Company called me back today (26th) from number 01617131883 the rude little ratbag on the phone wasn't really happy that I'd duped them into calling me. quite frankly i wish they hadn't the arrogant turnip wasn't interested in divulging company name and where they got my details. I've Googled the number and it belongs to a company called 'Bankfair Limited'.

Details below are from the ministry of justice site:
Business Name: Bankfair Limited
Address: 7th Floor, Dale House Tiviot Dale, Stockport
Town/City: Stockport
Postcode: SK1 1TA
County: Cheshire
hello@bankfair.co.uk

Trading Names: No Trading Names
Sector: Financial products/services,
Authorisation Number: CRM21359

Originally Posted by Posted by Jayrowe on MSE

ASA Adjudication on Cash Finance Direct Ltd
Cash Finance Direct Ltd t/a Horizon Finance
Floor 7
Dale House
Tiviot Dale
Stockport
Cheshire
SK1 1TA

Originally Posted by Posted by El Gringo

I posted this thread on MSE after receiving the above texts;
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=2681295

I have just noticed that Bankfair & Horizon/Cash Finance Direct Ltd share the same address. Are they connected?

El Gringo · #9 11-November-2010, 17:52

http://www.novaloca.com/property-details/15043

don't think so. there are a number of 'financial' companies there.

Cormoran · #10 12-November-2010, 09:25

http://www.novaloca.com/property-details/15043

don't think so. there are a number of 'financial' companies there.
Originally Posted by El Gringo

Not unlike the address in City Road, London EC1, a few years back, where we had several companies in the same building sending out unsolicited reverse bill texts yet they were not connected.

El Gringo · #11 16-April-2011, 15:59

09064001800 09064001801 09064001802 09064001803 09064001804 09064001805 09064001806 09064001807 09064001808 09064001809 09064001810 09064001811 09064001812 09064001813 09064001814 09064001815 09064001816 09064001817 09064001818 09064001819 09064001820 09064001821 09064001822 09064001824 09064001825 09064001826 09064001827 09064001828 09064001829 09064001830 09064001831 09064001832 09064001833 09064001834 09064001835 09064001836 09064001837 09064001838 09064001840 09064001841 09064001842 09064001843 09064001844 09064001845 09064001846 09064001847 09064001848 09064001849 09064001850 09064001851 09064001852 09064001853 09064001854 09064001855 09064001856 09064001857 09064001858 09064001859 09064001860 09064001861 09064001862 09064001863 09064001864 09064001865 09064001866 09064001867 09064001868 09064001869 09064001871 09064001872 09064001873 09064001874 09064001875 09064001876 09064001877 09064001878 09064001879 09064001880 09064001881 09064001882 09064001883 09064001884 09064001885 09064001886 09064001887 09064001888 09064001889 09064001890 09064001891 09064001892 09064001893 09064001894 09064001895 09064001896 09064001897 09064001898 09064001899 09064001900 09064001901 09064001906 09064001915 09064001917 09064001918 09064001919 09064001926 09064001927 09064001931 09064001933 09064001935 09064001937 09064001960 09064001961 09064001962 09064001963 09064001965 09064001966 09064001968 09064001969 09064001971 09064001972 09064001974 09064001975 09064001977 09064001978 09064001980 09064001981 09064001982 09064001983 09064001984 09064001985 09064001986 09064001987 09064001988 09064001989 09064001998 09064001999 09064001870 09064001823 09064001839 09064001970

it looks like the above old numbers were getting a bad reputation

09061931113 09061931115 09061931120 09061910804 09061910861 09061910862 09061910863 09061910864 09061910865 09061910866 09061910868 09061910870 09061910871 09061910872 09061910874 09061910877 09061910878 09061910880 09061910881 09061910882 09061910884 09061931058 09061931093 09061931097 09061931101 09061931103 09061931104 09061931109 09061931117 09061931118 09061931124 09061931134

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