Littlewoods claiming I owe them money!

pennyfrog

Just a quick question.
Over the last few months I've had 2 or 3 letters from Littlewoods saying that I owe them over £400. The last time I had anything to do with Litlewoods was back in about 2000 - 2001 when I had a Littlewoods catalogue. I ordered a few things from it (a couple of skateboards, some crockery, etc) but nothing that came to anywhere near that amount. I paid for those.

When we moved around that time, I didn't bother with the catalogue any more. I haven't received one or ordered from one since. We've moved a couple more times since then and it's only over the last few months that I've received these letters.

We have a small Greenwood/Provident loan and when the woman who collects the money turned up as usual 2 weeks ago, she said that the debt had been passed on to them and that I could pay it off in installments to her along with our normal payments. She was very good about it when I told her that I haven't had anything of that value- and haven't had anything to do with Littlewoods for about 8 or 9 years. She did say that she had to make the same offer with another customer for some other company earlier that day- and he'd never even heard of the company that claimed he owed them money. She said I ought to check it out before paying anything.

So- what's the best approach? Should I contact Littlewoods and ask what exactly I'm meant to owe money for?
I'm half convinced there may be some sort of letter mentioned somewhere. If so, can someone point me in the right direction please?

Thanks folks!

Tixy

Hi

You need the prove it letter. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11570893&postcount=2

It could be a complete mistake on littlewoods behalf (another person with a similar name) but I guess its just possible that the next occupants might have ordered under your name (if a catalogue was delivered after you left) - did you have your mail forwarded at the time you moved can you remember?

Hannah_10

I agree with Tixy, send the prove it letter.

The golden rule is never, ever phone or talk to a debt collection agency face to face- do everything in writing. So tell that nice lady from Greenwood/the Provident that you'll keep paying the loan you know about but that you're going to deal with the other, older thing, in writing. I'm sure she'll understand... If she doesn't though come back and tell us what she said and we'll tell you if anyones crossing any lines and what to do now (they do that sometimes).

Your first port of call is that prove it letter. Get that off in tomorrows post signed for (only about 80p more than normal 1st or 2nd class).

In the longer term there are a few things that are possible, like because of the age of the debt then it's statute barred, meaning it's not on your credit files (or shouldn't be anyway) and they can't chase you for it. We've got template letters for that too if it gets to it. So not to worry, one way or another you shouldn't end up having to pay for it unfairly.

It's a wise idea to get copies of your credit files from Experian, Equifax and Call Credit in a situation like this where there may have been fraudulent activity in your name. Worst case scenario is this'll set you back just under £11 (£2 each "statutory report" fee, plus some more for postal order fees and posting the forms off), but pretty often you can see them online instantly and for free anyway. Here's some links...

http://www.experian.co.uk/
http://www.equifax.co.uk/
http://www.callcredit.co.uk/

GeorgeUK

Eh?

No paments have been made for 9 years?
The debt's surely statute barred.

Yes, give Littlewoods a call, just to confirm whether this is your debt or not, but you definately don't need to pay anything towards it.

pennyfrog

Thank you for your responses, guys. It's really helpful. I've used the template, Tixy and have sent the letter off this morning (which they'll have to sign for.

I'll let you know how I get on.
Again, thanks you!