Link Financial, advice please!

gambit27

Hi, I hope someone can help me...

I have debts, some of which are defaults, which are up at the end of next year/beginning of 2013, except one, Link Financial.

I got my credit report, and it states I went into default with them in 2008. All my debt problems happened late 2005, at the time I split with my partner, and was struggling to pay the mortgage let alone debts while I waited for him to allow the sale of our house, and all defaults were in 2006, other than one, which is to be removed as this was in my new home, and was down to a dispute not being recorded.

Anyway, since the defaults, I moved home, and have taken on no new credit whatsoever, so the Link default status is not true, as I haven't entered any agreement with them, in fact I haven't even spoken to them, and do not know what the debt is for. They have sent postcards to my current address, and my parents, they have phoned my home, and my parents, on the postcards they ask that you call them to discuss your bank accounts, in the phone calls they are saying they want to speak to me to help me reduce my outgoings, I've ignored them in the past thinking it's a scam, but now this default has shown up on my report, and I'm very wary of admitting to them who I am as I've never dealt with them, and the fact that they seem to be being very devious in trying to get me to talk to them, and have also got mine and my parents address and phone numbers when they are ex directory really worries me.

Can anyone advise how I can find out what this debt is for? And how I find out what agreement it is I supposedly have with them? Has anyone else dealt with them before?

fermi

Presumably Link have bought one of the debts that you previously had.

They can change the default entry on your credit report over into their name. That is OK. BUT they mustn't alter the original default date.

Unfortunately, many debt collectors like Link don't give a to$$ what they are supposed to do.

When the buy the debt they just register a new default at the date they bought the account for whatever they think should be owed. Very naughty.

So, do you have your old credit reports showing the default entries for 2006?

Does the amount owed match up with any of those?

gambit27

Thanks for replying.

No, there is no other default or account for the amount they claim I owe them on my reports. I'm paying all the other debt via debt agency's, who as you say, changed the debt to their name, but have kept the 2006 default dates.

At the time my ex ran up a lot of debt in my name after I ended the relationship, we weren't married, and my lawyer advised me to bite the bullet, and pay off the debt as I basically didn't have a leg to stand on in court because he was saying he used the cards with my knowledge, basically his word against mine. So this may be something he's run up that I previously didn't know about, but I cancelled all my cards in 2005/6 so surely it wouldn't take 2 + years for an account to default? The others only took a few months.

So if this is a debt I didn't know about, are they allowed to default it whenever they like without sending me any correspondance to tell me? With all other debts, I explained the situation and set up payment plans, but of course it wasn't enough to cover the debts and was issued with default notices each time, but I have no idea about this debt at all.

fermi

They aren't allowed to just default it whenever they like, but as said, Link are the type of company that doesn't care what they are supposed to do.

Honestly, I can't see how you are going to be able to work out what it is for unless you write to them demanding details. Something that you may not want to do at the moment?

If you did decide to write to them, then it would probably be the standard "I do have any knowledge of a debt owed to you. Provide proof that I owe this money or get lost." Along with requiring them to remove the default entries if they cannot prove them.

gambit27

I'd rather get started paying it off now if it is a debt under my name, just want to get it all over with as quickly as possible!

I've had a look for template letters I can send, is there any threads on MSE that can help me word it properly?

IF this is a genuine debt, am I right in saying they should be able to provide me with a default letter to confirm the default date? And if they can't give me this on the date they alledge I defaulted with them, how do I go about getting the default removed if they refuse?

fermi

As you have no idea what this date relates to, then the letter in this link is a basic starting point.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11570893&postcount=2

As you've got a default on your file, then you obviously need to add in a few lines demanding that they substantiate that as well. Requiring them to remove it if they cannot.

If they can't prove that you did default, but won't remove it, then you will need to complain to the Information Commissioner and & possibly the Financial Ombudsman.

fermi

It might also be worth disputing the default entry and date via the Credit Reference Agency as well.

They will contact Link to corroborate the details, and may possibly remove the entry from your files if Link don't.

Having things disputed from 2 different directions also seems to often give these companies the added kick up the bum required for them to sort things.

gambit27

Fantastic advice, thank you so much for taking the time to reply, will give your suggestions a go, and keep my fingers crossed! I don't even mind having to pay the debt back if it's relating to all the other stuff, it's the default that's more annoying as I'll be default free in less than 2 years otherwise, and have good credit on my car finance and loan agreement which won't come off my file for 2 more years after that. Thank you again for all your help

gambit27

Hi, before I got a chance to send the letter, I had a letter from Instant Silver, offering me a 40% discount and a monthly payment agreement. What do I do? Should I still send the letter to Link, or should I send it to this Instand Silver? It states on the letter I have 15 days to reply or they will pass the account back to Link Financial and remove the discount. Don't know what to do I'm not happy with the default date, as I had no agreement, and in fact have never spoken to Link, the letter I received states it's about an MBNA Europe credit card, so I'm going on the assumption my ex has something to do with it, but I didn't ever have an MBNA card. But worried if I don't agree to this, I might be liable for this as it's in my name, and I'm going to have to shell out the full whack. So confused now, please help Thanks

sussexchick

hi guys

its been a long time since i posted here but couldn't let this thread down - i had a debt with HSBC who then sold it onto Link Financial. Despite numerous attempts at trying to negotiate with them, they simply took me to court in the hope of obtaining a CCJ against me. I disputed it and they eventually issued a Tomlin Order which i felt i had to sign, just to get them off my back ! Oddly enough I had a letter today from them saying that I needed to pay my monthly fee (which i have already done 3 weeks ago !) and that i need to set my standing order/direct debit ! ... (which again i have already done!). This company are a complete and utter pain in the butt to negotiate with. My advice would be to ask one of the non-profit making debt companies to negotiate on your behalf. There is no such thing as a DCA offering help ! Its about time this darn government started regulating these unscrupulous companies who are not fit to trade. (sorry about the hi-jacking of your thread and rant over) ... clarification - if you feel out your depth and too frightened to face them head on - call in the experts

sussexchick

gambit27 wrote: »

Hi, before I got a chance to send the letter, I had a letter from Instant Silver, offering me a 40% discount and a monthly payment agreement. What do I do? Should I still send the letter to Link, or should I send it to this Instand Silver? It states on the letter I have 15 days to reply or they will pass the account back to Link Financial and remove the discount. Don't know what to do I'm not happy with the default date, as I had no agreement, and in fact have never spoken to Link, the letter I received states it's about an MBNA Europe credit card, so I'm going on the assumption my ex has something to do with it, but I didn't ever have an MBNA card. But worried if I don't agree to this, I might be liable for this as it's in my name, and I'm going to have to shell out the full whack. So confused now, please help Thanks

Take the offer of 40% if you feel its acceptable to you and you are happy with the re-payment schedule -