Allied International Credit - Help

ReginaII

Hello all, I'm new to posting (having often read) and in search of some wisdom!

To try and cut a long story short, 5 years ago I had a good job etc. etc. then I was made redundant and approximately around the same time found out that I was expecting my first child, which made finding another job that much more difficult. Add to that, all the insurances which I had taken out on loans, credit cards in the event of redundancy became null and void, they wouldn't pay my bills once they learned of my pregnancy. Anyhow, despite the best efforts of my partner and myself, I fell behind with payments and defaulted on a number of accounts. I have held my hand up to all but one, and am still doing my best to pay them off, doing reasonably well too.

However, the one account which hasn't been dealt with was a Natwest credit card with a balance of £2.5K. Basically the story goes thusly, after my redundancy I left my permanent residence (from where I had started the account pre 2003 I think) and moved to Yorkshire to be with my partner who was stationed there with the army, changed my address with Natwest and it was whilst there that I defaulted on the payments. After 6 months, he had left the army and we moved back to my permanent address, by which time the baby's birth was imminent and I just didn't change my address with Natwest back again. Time marched on and, feeling deeply under the cosh from other debt collectors, I buried my head in the sand. I know it's no excuse but I couldn't bear any more and I had a new daughter in whom I could take little delight as I pretty much felt suicidal with threats coming from all angles, afraid to answer the phone, afraid of the postman. I have however, always been on the electoral register, so haven't actively tried to 'hide'.

So, fast forward to today and I've had a letter from Allied International Credit regarding my outstanding a/c with Natwest, the first I have heard about it since I stopped paying the account in summer 2004. So I called them and, for the first time in all my dealings with debt collectors, I asked for a copy of the credit agreement (not sure why, just something about the guy's demeanor that rankled) he told me to get it myself. I refused and insisted they do it, whereupon he started shouting down the phone, ranting, asking me why I didn't pay my debts etc. I told him that I had no idea who they were, and that I wasn't going to pay them anything without proof that I owed it to them. So, he continued ranting and I put the phone down. He obviously did 1471 and called me straight back, saying that I need to send my request in writing and to include £1.

So, I guess what I'd like guidance on is, where do I go from here? Have I set in motion something which I'll regret? I know little or nothing about the process. I don't even know why I asked for it, I haven't done so with Metropolitan, nor Moorcroft, both of whom I've been paying since the time of default on other accounts as I know they are my debts.

Any help would be very gratefully received!

fatbelly

Do you remember having read posts where we say 'do not talk to debt collectors on the phone'?

Now you know why.

What they are worried about is that you have not acknowledged the debt (phone calls don't count) since 2004 and so in the middle of next year it will become statute barred.

They now have a little over 12 months to hassle you into

• making a payment (£1 will do) or
• acknowledging the debt in writing

If you do neither, then they will have to decide whether it is worth spending money on a court claim. Without you volunterring further information, it's going to be hard for them to decide.

Your choices are either to

• ignore them or
• send a 'prove it'

After all, how do you know that they are acting as legitimate collectors for Nat West or as owners of the debt?

Prove it

Merlinexcalibur

What they said. I must say your post mirrors somewhat the other AIC, Natwest one from later this afternoon.

ReginaII

Hi fatbelly, thanks for your reply.

Well, this is it, how do I know? As I said to the guy at Allied, I could send him a letter saying he owes me money, but saying it doesn't make it true.

I would guess they know they're onto a pretty safe bet as on my credit report my addresses are all linked, and I appear on the electoral register as being more or less continuous since 1999. I'm surprised, to be honest, that it's taken this long to hear anything.

I suppose that I'm worried that by forcing the issue and just not making a payment immediately, that I'll land up in court quick smart.

ReginaII

Hi Merlinexcalibur, I haven't seen that post. Is it on this forum or another? I'd be interested to have a look.

Merlinexcalibur

Don't worry, mostly all of us have been there. We don't need to know, because why should we be expected to know? I mean, we go to doctor for medical needs for example cos they know. Hope that made sense. The post is a little further down now, probably on page 3.

ReginaII

Thank you, will have a look for it now.

I suppose I always knew the hammer would fall, but it still came as something of a shock to be shouted at like that, I've had a reasonable amount of dealings with debt collectors and it still took me aback. At the end of the day, I'm doing my best to juggle all, so much so that we're still stuck in a one bedroom flat with two children (had another child in 2006) I'm not running away from my responsibilities per se. It's just been one problem after another!

ReginaII

Found that thread, disturbingly familiar!

fatbelly

ReginaII wrote: »

I suppose that I'm worried that by forcing the issue and just not making a payment immediately, that I'll land up in court quick smart.

That's what they want you to think.

Can they prove they have the right to collect on this debt?

If they can't prove it to you, they can't prove it to a court.

Prove it

ReginaII

Exactly, how do I know that having paid them Natwest won't surface at some time and demand the same debt.

I've seen some of the template letters to send requesting a true credit agreement and notice of assignment and think I understand the timescales. However, just to be certain, if I sent it today allowing the 12 working days + 2 for post, the deadline would be 1st April? Upon which time I send the 30 day letter.

looktothefuture

Hmmmm Regina... your thread sounds familiar! I personally have had enough harrasement after only 1 telephone call!

Makes you wonder how these people are getting away with it!