Vanquis Bank and Creditlink Account Recovery Services (CARS)

essexdad79

I have today received a letter from a company called Creditlink Account Recovery Services (C.A.R.S.). It relates to an unpaid debt (default notice) that is 2 years old with Vanquis Bank (Provident).

I moved in September 2010 and I hadn’t heard from Vanquis for over a year before I moved and I rented the previous property. Last week I received a letter from C.A.R.S saying that they are recovering the debt and demanding full payment.

I am prepared to repay this but in instalments. What I am not prepared to do is speak to them on the phone, as I know from previous experience how aggressive these companies can be and cherish my low blood pressure.

My questions are:

• How did they get my new address (considering that I have moved and am on the edited Electoral Role and don’t have any loans or outstanding debts at all)?
• I do not recall receiving a Default Notice – does this matter?
• Am I entitled to deal with them by post and refuse to speak to them on the telephone?
• I can afford to pay them £20 a month until the £194 is repaid. Can they refuse this plan and if so, what rights do I have?

My guess is that they are ‘chancers’ as they have today written to me saying they intend to make a ‘home visit’ because I haven’t responded. I doubt they will and even if they did I wouldn’t speak to them anyway – I know my rights as far as this part is concerned at least.

Your advice would be appreciated.

izools

They will have traced you to your new address via your credit file -an address link will have been created when you changed your address with your bank (and whoever else, e.g. mobile contract etc). Being on the electoral will not have caused them to find you.

If you received a default notice to your old address because you didn't advise them when you moved, that's your fault and tough titties. If however they never issued one, then they are in breach of the Consumer Credit Act. You may wish to challenge this with them.

You are entitled to deal with this in writing and entitled to offer them a monthly figure. You're definitely going about this the right way.

Good luck!

pcnup35

Hello,

I moved from the UK 2 years ago to mainland Europe. I continued to pay my Vanquis statement every month on statement day until Vanquis decided to not recognise a payment, saying that I paid it too early. They charged me and reduced my limit. At much cost to me I called them and finally had the charge waived and was promised my limit would go back to normal. This never did. Anyway, rightly or wrongly I decided that over the 4 years I have owned the credit card I have paid more than 4 or 5 times the limit back to Vanquis and decided to stop paying. I now work for an American company who operate in Europe and UK. I received a call today form C.A.R.S who I suspect are calling on behalf of Vanquis but as I would not confirm my address they would not speak to me! My question is can C.A.R.S pursue me for money if I do not live in the UK? I am not on a UK payroll either? Does anyone know?

Thank you in advance,

pcnup35