Buchanan Clark & Wells letter-please help!

Shezza82

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site so please be gentle. I'm really hoping someone can give me some advice and guidance.
I received a letter from Buchanan Clark & Wells the other week who have pursuers Aktiv Kapital Uk Ltd and the creditors are GE Capital. I ignored the first letter and today have received another. The letter reads:
FINAL NOTICE
We refer to previous correspondence regarding our clients Aktiv Kapital UK Ltd and regret to note that your debt, in the sum of £657.18 remains outstanding.
Since you have failed to notify us of any legitimate reason for non-payment we can only assume that you do not wish to settle this matter amicably.
Accordingly, this letter should be accepted as final notice that unless payment is made immediately, we shall recommend that our clients commence legal proceedings against you, with payment of interest and costs in addition to the principal sum being sought.

I had a bad split with a partner around 3.5years ago and had 3 store cards I couldn't afford to pay any more, I moved out of the area and hadn't heard anything until now. I can only assume that this is for one of my unpaid cards but i'm not sure which one it would be for?
I can't afford to pay this amount as I live on my own and i'm on a low income. I'm too scared to call them as I know i'll end up agreeing to paying an amount I really can't afford..what should I do?
Sorry this post is long winded but wanted to fit in as much info as possible.
Thanks in advance for taking your time to read this and possibly help me out.

concerned43

My advice is not to call BCW - always put correspondance in writing. If you are not sure of the debt - then write to them and ask them what the debt relates to and ask for proof of this i.e. your contract with the provider - there are many templates on this site which will give you an idea of what to write.
Once they get back to you with the proof (if there is any) then you would need to write up a statement of affairs (again there is an application on this site to help you with that) after that you can see what you can afford to pay each week/month to them.
Don't freak out and worry about their letter it is just a standard letter they send out. If in dooubt to any of this, get in touch with your nearest CAB who can see to this for you.

thechippy

As above, but don't send a soa. They have no right to see one and it gives away too much info about you. Just tell them what you can afford to pay each month.

Shezza82

Sorry, one more thing....i'm a real scaredy cat/stress head type. How likely are they to take this matter to court and how quickly? i.e they've told me they'll take me to court if I don't pay immediately. Will I have time to sort a letter out to them?

chanz4

they wont, sounds stat bar if aktiv capital have it. BCW are a callcenter only

thechippy

Court is unlikely indeed if you are making a monthly payment.
ONLY pay them what you can afford each month and ignore their empty threats.....;)

FTW

Have them prove the debt before offering to pay them a penny, don't speak to them on the phone, and absolutely do NOT send your signature to them or anything with your signature on.

Just by doing a google search, you'll find more than enough on either company, and you'll find much info on how they can be seen off.

ex_manager

EX MANAGER OF AK...

hi Shazza82..... do NOT pay a penny, Ak pass accounts to BWC if they cant collect on them. BCW are dirty hard hitting wannabies that have already been pasted over watchdog. they get paid on what they collect so they will be forceful.
call AK (as they legally own the account) ask them when the default date was, if over 6 years then there is SOD ALL they can do about it.
remember you need the date it was defaulted from the creditor, NOT when it was passed to AK.
if they say they dont have this info.... there LYING. (it will be stats barrred, they just dont want to tell you that)

once you have this, tell them that anymore calls or letters from them OR BCW, will mean you will call OFCOM, OFT and watchdog.
also remember to get the name and date of the person you spoke to as they wont note the account in all cases as all your doing is wasting there time if your not paying them ... sad uh.

please can i ask that at the end of the call you tell them pete the ex manager sends his love. need more help, just ask.

Shezza82

Hi, just a quick update....I found a prove it letter on here and sent it to BCW along with a £1 postal order. A few days after sending I received a letter back saying my account was now on hold as they do not have the information I require. They also returned my postal order which I thought was rather nice of them. I probably shouldn't speak too soon but it's been about a month now and haven't heard anything else from either company.
Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. It's a big scary world out there.

thechippy

Just keep in touch if you hear any more.

...It's just their usual willy waving nonsense..........:D