Thames Credit Have Defaulted Me - But I've Never Heard Of Them!

richardhall

Hello All,
Last year, shortly after moving house, I recieved a letter from Thames Credit informing me that they have bought a debt from HFC Bank and now I owe them. Problem is that I've never had an account with either HFC or Thames Credit so I wrote back telling them to prove it. After a brief exchange of letters I told them in no uncertain terms that they were on a fishing expedition and that it wouldn't wash.

I heard nothing more from them and considered the matter closed but when I made my annual check of my credit records I found that they had registered a default at my current address with Experian and Equifax.

My question is what can I do about this? I presume that if I contact the CRAs then they will check the info with Thames Credit and write back saying that it stays. I could add a notice of correction but that hardley makes up for having a fabricated black mark there does it?

All suggestions gratefully recieved.
Thanks,
Rich

CLAPTON

i would suggest you contact the credit agencies and say you 'dispute' the entry...don't bother about notice of correction as its generally a hindrance rather than a help. they should respond within 28 days

also write to Thames Credit something along the following lines

I do not acknowledge any debt to your company or clients.
Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 you are obliged for a fee of £1 (postal order), to supply a true copy of the alleged agreement.
Failure to comply is a criminal offence
Give them 12 days to comply.

Dr.Shoe_2

The problem about credit law (AFAIUI) is is that any licenced Credit broker or DCA can enter defaults without any source whatsoever. This means that the less scrupulous can hold you to ransom and enter against you just because you don't pay them on their say so.

IMO the rules concerning credit file entries needs review.

Brassic

We have heard of them. Definitely :rolleyes:

They have actually been ok for us. Didn't contact us for ages and ages - we had to track them down in the end, and when we did they were pleasant to deal with - didn't laugh too hard when we offered them a settlement figure, and have now accepted a fixed monthly payment instead and frozen the interest. All been done very politely too!

So, if I were you I'd follow Claptons advice, and keep us updated.

Good Luck!

Megatimbo

Hello richardhall,i have an account with Thames credit as i`m currently paying an old credit card debt, which was sold to them a long time ago,as i became redundant and couldnt afford what the original CC wanted so was passed to them,i believe the debt was sold onto them.
If you look on the web they have an address and i have letters from them aswell and recently wanted to obtain a final settlement figure but was unable to raise funds for it, i have found them to be "Human" and at least responsive to letters via snail mail
This probably isnt much use to you me telling you all this but just wanted to basically say they do exist and not some fly by night company
Best regards Megatimbo

richardhall

Thanks for you prompt responses guys. Clapton, I don't suppose you have any idea which part of the CCA 1974 deals with this do you? Always sound better if you can provide a quotation IMHO!

Also perhaps there is a data protection act angle from which to poke the CRAs, if Thames cannot provide proof the information is corrrect, and I say it is incorrect, should they be storing the information?