Provident chasing me for a loan Ive never had

markmcalear

I recently recieved a letter from a debt collector called Buchanan Clarke and Wells regarding a provident loan taken out about 18 months ago at my previous address (I was living there at the time).

I called them up to explain that I have never taken out a Provident loan and that I have never been in a position where I would want or need one. I went on to tell them that at the time I lived in a shared house with 2 other guys and I also work long hours so it was possible one of them had done it and hidden the evidence from me as this is the first I have heard of it.

I asked what ID was shown and could they send me a copy of the credit agreement. They said photo ID need not be shown but anything shown to the advisor would be noted on the credit agreement which they would send me a copy of.

I then contacted Provident directly and told them the same thing and recieved the same response.

I recieved my copy of the credit agreement yesterday so I have written the following letter and sent it to both BCW and Provident but what happens if they refuse to make this go away? Will I be forced into paying it?

Dear Sir or Madam


I have received the copy of the credit agreement as requested.


When I first contacted yourselves I asked how a loan could be taken out without any identification being shown. I was told by one of your advisers that photographic ID was not required but that any ID shown would be noted on the credit agreement.


My issues with the copy of the agreement you have sent me are:

1. The customer signature is clearly not mine. I have enclosed a copy of the front and back of my debit card (for security reasons I have blanked out the last 4 digits of the card number and the card security code).
2. I see no mention anywhere on the agreement of any identification shown. I can only assume that no ID was shown to your advisor, nor was any ID taken or photocopied by your advisor.

Due to these reasons I do not acknowledge that this debt is mine. I must insist that all entries on my credit file relating to this transaction are removed immediately. I trust that this is satisfactory and this issue will now be resolved.


I feel that 28 days would be sufficient time for this to be actioned. If you fail to do so then I will escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.




Regards

antrobus

markmcalear wrote: »

...
I recieved my copy of the credit agreement yesterday so I have written the following letter and sent it to both BCW and Provident but what happens if they refuse to make this go away? Will I be forced into paying it?

Generally speaking, you've probably gone a bit further than was strictly necessary in sending a copy of the front and back of your debit card in order to show that it was not your signature on the credit agreement - the onus is on the Provident to prove that it's your loan, not the other way around - but no harm done.

I wouldn't see much point in involving the FO at this stage; you'll very likely hear no more about it.

McKneff

I agree with Antrobus, the onus is always on them to prove that you owe the debt.

You dont have to prove that you don't.

Some 'mates' you lived with eh. Did you recognise the sort of 'signature' writing at all.

markmcalear

They werent mates, just two guys I did a house share with. It was only supposed to be temporary but ended up lasting over a year.

Provident have put a default on my credit file. According to Experian it can only be removed by Provident. Based on the conversations I have had with them it doesnt seem like they will do that without a fight.

Any suggestions moving forward??

The signature starts off looking like mine so its clearly been copied (I would assume from my passport or driving license counterpart which I always kept in my bedside drawer). The first two letters look fairly close, the rest is just totally off though.

markmcalear

I have had a reply from Provident. Basically pointing out to me that their complaints procedure allows them 56 days to reach a decision regarding my complaint.

Coveredinbees!!!!

That's good of them, so you got 2 months of stress while you wait for them to get their finger out.

KingElvis

Good old Provident, don't you love them and their customers.

MusicalLawyer

When I got my provident loan the agent came to my house to fill out the forms & give me the cash, even though I applied online. She also took passport details and details of my financial situation. They then came to my house on a weekly basis to collect payments.

Do they not do this in all cases?

markmcalear

Coveredinbees!!!! wrote: »

That's good of them, so you got 2 months of stress while you wait for them to get their finger out.

Not just stress theres gonna be some inconvenience too. I have a baby due next month and I need to get the missus a new car (we are now officially in people carrier territory) and I know I am gonna struggle to get finance which is a bit of a pain. I'll have to hope my otherwise perfect credit history along with a higher than average income will be enough

mo786uk

You have been a victim of identity theft - so you will need to report it to the Police.

Once Providen believe its ID theft they hsould back off.

Can they tell you where the money went? i.e into which bank account?

27col

markmcalear wrote: »

Not just stress theres gonna be some inconvenience too. I have a baby due next month and I need to get the missus a new car (we are now officially in people carrier territory) and I know I am gonna struggle to get finance which is a bit of a pain. I'll have to hope my otherwise perfect credit history along with a higher than average income will be enough

How on earth did we all manage to have families before people carriers were invented?