Credit Card Debt...

whispywillow

Hi there MSE's, hope you can help me with (yet another) situation that has arisen today, just cant seem to get shut!!

Ok so, got a phone call today completely out of the blue from HFO Services regarding a barcleycard that I took out years ago and have had absolutely no corresponance from for years, here are the exact details that I took from the lady I spoke to:

Start Date: 8th November 2004
Default Date: 23rd December 2005
Balance before interest: £495.58
Balance after interest: £788.82
Interest: 12% P.A
Last payment: 11th October 2006 (£10)

I asked the lady what the minimum payment amount they would accept if I decided to pay this money back to which she gave the amounts of:

Over a 1 year term: £75 a month
Over a 6 month term: £131 a month

She said they would NOT accept (and she really did pronounce the NOT) any less than the amounts stated and they are fully prepared to take this case to the court. When she called up she described herself as litigation, which I dont know if thats possible as this is the first corresponance I have heard from them for years, and I havent moved address!! I asked her why this debt wasn't on my credit report, and she said that it was - but I have my credit report (from the Lloyds TSB ID aware service) and its definately not on there - but basically she said its within her power to make sure that this debt gets put on the credit report. This was all after trying to imply that the document I have wasn't my credit report (which I'm now rather worried about whether it is or it isn't!!!!)

I have just looked up HFO Services and feel a bit anxious because they seem to be a really bad company - I just dont feel like I could handle it if they started harrassing.
I did explain my situation, I told her that I had a mental health condition, that I was a single parent on benefits and at the moment im struggling to make ends meet, and basically she said that she has the power to make this case and so I need to make a decision and call her by 12 tomorrow.

Can anyone advise me of my rights in this situation. Im fully prepared to make small payments of this debt if thats what it takes, but £75 a month is just WAY beyond what I could ever ever afford, and I dont want this to go to court, I have spent a long time trying to build up my credit and a CCJ will not be good for me


Kindest regards

whispywillow

I'm bumping this up!!!

whispywillow

bump bump bump!!!! please help!!!

Svenena

You have to be patient - give it more than 15 minutes! Someone will be along with an answer soon.

These collection agencies are out to scare you into paying, but you can't pay what you don't have, and they know that.

birkee

First port of call is the TSB. Confirm they have handed a debt over to HFO services.
Initial thought is that this is a con, and somebody has picked up some old paperwork to get your details.
Shred or burn old out of date bank documents you no longer need, but keep as proof, any FINAL documents indicating the state of an account when you last used it.

whispywillow

Apologies for my impatience, i was properly stressing out!!

And Birkee, the account was with Barcleycard! I dont have ANY statements at all!!! Not even the contract!

TAG

Hi wispywillow,

You might want to post this thread over on the debt free wannabe board.

You'll get loads of help and advice on there as it's more suited to your problem.

Hope that helps.

Stalkdog

Have you checked your credit report recently to see if the debt is showing up on that?

As suggested, I would definitely check with Barclaycard that they handed over to HFO

Best of luck