Help Please!

jones29

Hi, I'm new here and I really need some advice. After reading some of the other peoples threads, I know my debt is quite small but it still really bothers me.
I am already paying back a loan of £7000 from lomard direct that went to Connaught Collections (1st Credit). I have only £1200 left to pay...this will take me til may next year.
Yesterday I got a letter from Thames Credit about a debt passed onto them for £362. This is from a store card I had 4 years ago. Anyway, I phoned them and said I would be williing to pay this off, but it would have to be only £20 a month as I am on Maternity leave at the mo and only receive statutory maternity pay (£117 a week) He then told me that I had 2 debts outstanding on 2 store cards!! The other balance is for £580ish...I am not aware of this, which I did point out! He then told me to call back (after offering to call me first, which I didn't want) and he would find out exactly what this other debt is! I still haven't callled yet...I came here instead.

Someone please help if you can, I would really appreciate it!
Thankyou
J xx

halight

Hi,
First dont phone them. ITs very job to phone you!
Next try not to worry.
When thay phone tell them that you only have a very small amout of money to pay back your debts. Then make them a small offer. And stick to your guns.
Or how wbout givving payplan a ring and setting up a DMP with them thay will take to your credit compays and sort a repayment plan out for you.
This will only be what you can afford.
There are a lot of people on here who are on a DMP im on one myself and have been for 4 years. only got 10 months left. Its the best thing iv ever done. and loads of others say the same.
Try not to worry too much you will get thourth this.
Other people will post too and offer ther help. you are not on your own.
Good luck and all the very best

Welshwoofs

Yipes, be careful of Thames Credit, they are notorious for trying to bully people into paying up on statute barred debts or debts which aren't even yours to begin with, but belong to people with the same or similar names!

First things first do not acknowledge the debt. Put everything in writing and head your letters with 'Without Prejudice'. The first thing you need is a copy of the signed credit agreement which shows your signature, so send them the letter below with a £1 postal order:

"Dear Sir/Madam

Re: Account/Reference Number 123456

This letter is a formal request pursuant to s.77/78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. I require you to provide me with a true copy of the credit agreement relating to the above account, together with any other documentation the Act requires you to provide.

I expect you to comply fully and properly with this request, within the statutory time limit. You are reminded that should you fail to comply with my request, the provisions of s.77(6) will apply.

If it is your view that you are not the creditor, s.175 of the CCA 1974 applies in the case of a simple assignment, and places a duty upon you to pass this request to the creditor. In the case of an absolute assignment, you are a creditor as defined by s.189. If you contend that you purchased the rights but not the duties of any agreement, you are reminded that s.189 of the Act is clear that an assignment is of both rights and duties.

Your attention is drawn to ss.5(2), 3(b),6 and 7 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUTR).

I enclose a postal order in the sum of £1.00, which is the statutory fee. Note that these funds are not to be used for any other purpose.

If you are unable to comply fully and properly with this request, you should confirm this in writing at the earliest opportunity, and certainly within the statutory time limit for compliance, and return the fee.

Yours faithfully
Miss X"

They can't chase you for the debt until they've coughed up proof you actually owe it.

jones29

Thanks for the quick replies! I will try and write to them tomorrow.How long do they have to reply with the proof of debt?..what happens if they don't reply within that time frame?
thanks once again...I feel a little more in control...only slightly, but I do feel better, thankyou!

J xx