Lowell

music_facer

I received a letter from HSBC today informing me that they have sold my debt on to Lowell on 11th May. The letter is dated 26th June.
I have previously asked HSBC if I have any outstanding debt with them. They said no, but only in person, when I asked outright...

I then received a letter from Lowell asking me to contact them regarding the debt. It was dated 27th June.

This seems fishy to me.
What do I do?

I have an old, old debt (a coupla months off 6 years) outstanding to HSBC that I asked to pay off months ago, and they said didn't exist... now they've sold it to this bunch of (apparently) bullies?

I'm not one to play the system, but I'm not one to roll over and pay it, either. what do I do?

Bru#23

Hey,

I've had that exact same letter (same dates and everything!). There's another post on here regarding the same company and Sky customers which gives a nice example letter to send them asking for proof.

POSTED by Harrassed
I do not acknowledge ANY debt to your company. I require you to supply the following documentation before I will correspond further on this matter.

1. You must supply me with a true copy of the alleged agreement you refer to. This is my right under your obligation to supply a copy of the agreement under the legislation contained within s.78 (1) Consumer Credit Act 1974 (s.77 (1) for fixed sum credit) - your obligation also extends to providing a statement of account. I enclose a £1 postal order in payment of the statutory fee, PO Serial Number xxxxx.

2. A signed true copy of the deed of assignment of the above referenced agreement that you allege exists.

3. You are notified that you are obliged to supply these documents, whether you are the original creditor or not under S189 of the CCA 1974.

Non-compliance with my request is a criminal offence under the above Act and will result in a report being submitted to the relevant statutory authorities.

As you are aware, a credit agreement that is not properly documented and signed by the customer is totally unenforceable under the CCA and therefore is a complete defence to any court claim that is issued.

Take note at this stage, that any legal action you may contemplate will be both vigorously defended and contested.

They go on to say that Lowell have to reply within 14 days, and if they don't provide the information within 30 days they're breaking the law. I'm going to give it a try as I paid off what I owed HSBC years ago.

Wonder_Girl

Unfortunately Lowell are well known for buying debts that are just about 6 years old as this is when they get them cheapest. :mad:

music_facer

This is the point that they drop off your record too, isn't it?
As in, if you can contest it at this point, it's over in a few months..?

I spoke to HSBC, they said that they're not going to see any money from this even if I *do* pay it - that the debt was sold to Metropolitan and then on to Lowell; that they will see nothing...

Does the letter I got from HSBC count as some proof of the debt?
Am I actually going to be able to contest this?

I wouldn't mind it if HSBC were going to get the money, but I'm not in the business of paying bullies to be bullies...

MyUserNamesTaken

Ring the national debt line... You could be able to avoid paying it under the limitations act, but only if it goes beyond 6 years without you acknowledging or making a payment to the debt.