Red/Lowell - help please

Johnny_Chaos

abisparkle wrote: »

Hi,

I've had a couple of letters from Red out of the blue the last couple of weeks for an Abbey National (old current account) debt of £300. They are addressed to my maiden name. From memory, I had a CCJ for this debt around 9 years ago. The CCJ is not showing on my credit record anymore, I have not made a payment or acknowledged anything for at least 9 years.

The letter received today is offering me a 50% reduction or a monthly fee of £20 per month. If I don't pay within 10 days they are going to pass to a field collection agent who will call at my home.

I have some questions:

1) I was planning to ignore all correspondence but really don't want someone calling at my home. What should I do/say if they do?

2) Can I deny being the person they are looking for as they are using my former name, not my married name.

3) Should I send off the letter stating the debt is statute barred and if so, which name should I use? Don't really want to give them my married name.

There is nothing showing on my credit record that Red have even searched the file let alone anything relating to this debt.

Help much appreciated as I just don't want anyone calling at the house.

This sounds like they're having a stab-in-the-dark. They've bought or found some old debts, and seeing if they can make a bit of money from them. The visit from a field representative is probably an idle threat, but if they do pop round just tell 'em you're not interested and close the door. I'd be tempted to completely ignore the letter. After 9 years you could be anywhere!

FTW

Blaise wrote: »

I got a letter yesterday from red/lowell offering me 85% discount - lol

this was after a letter sent disputing the money owed and that it is SB....

The debt in question is over 14 years old and is for just under £600. I don't know why they wasted their time and mine.

I was thinking of accepting their offer... but have changed my mind now.. Not going to give them a penny... because they know they are acting irresponsible and pursuing debt which is unenforceable anyway..

14 years old. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Is that some kind of record on MSE? After sending them the SB letter, and them coming back with an 85% discount offer - that pretty much confirms its status.

You could write back and say you'll be more than happy with a 100% discount.:D

fermi

FTW wrote: »

14 years old. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Is that some kind of record on MSE?

I'm sure I remember one that was 20+ years. :eek:

abisparkle

Thanks guys. I think I'll just wait a few more days and then send the SB letter. I'll make sure not to sign it, just print my name.

Hopefully they will then sod off.

Blaise

fermi wrote: »

There is a letter in this thread to send to Red if you feel you need it.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=881597

:T - thanks for that - very much appreciated...

fermi

Blaise wrote: »

:T - thanks for that - very much appreciated...

Good. That should finish things off wuth them.

If it doesn't, then please follow through with the threats to report them to the various authorities.

Blaise

fermi wrote: »

Good. That should finish things off wuth them.

If it doesn't, then please follow through with the threats to report them to the various authorities.

just a updated - good news. Got a letter today from lowell saying - they have discovered that section (5) of the limitation Act 1980 applies to my account - and they will no longer be asking for payment... amount owed is 0.00 - :T

thanks for all your help..

fermi

Excellent.