Debt agency say not to pay C/tax

fresh-air1

Hi can i have some advice i have received letters from Lowell regarding some accounts i had years ago, i thought these had all been settled back in 2010, i am disputing these with the original creditor at the moment, anyway these letters i have received say that during Feb/March i am not required to pay my council tax as it doesn't start till April, and i should be £150 better off and i could put this towards my debts?, i don't know what to do as i pay my bills weekly and if i miss payments i could get into trouble with the council tax people. any advice?

Cornucopia

Whatever you do, don't miss Council Tax payments - that's the worst thing you can default on.

What they are saying is that some Councils' installment plans don't charge in Jan & Feb (mine doesn't), and therefore people might have some money spare. If that doesn't apply to you, ignore their advice.

fresh-air1

No i will not miss my council Tax payments, i was just concerned that as they are not officially due until April they could force me to use this money to pay them, also is there anything i can do to stop the 6 calls a day from Lowell as its getting me down, i have told them i am dealing with the original creiditor but they seem relentless

[Deleted User]

I agree with Cornucopia.

Most people pay their CT bills in 10 instalments (you can choose to pay in 12, but you have to request it and pay by DD), so February and March would be "free months".

You need to check your CT bill, to see when the payments are due.

If no payments are listed for February and March, and you have made all the previous payments (ie. you are not in arrears), then you will not need to pay on those two months.

If you are unsure (you may well be, given you pay weekly), you should probably check with the CT office.

evie451

Cornucopia ir right you can get into a lot of trouble missing council tax payments..........most councils charge CT over 10 monthly payments and you dont pay the other 2 but if you pay weekly or like me moved at the wrong end of the year and elected to pay over 12mths then the 2 free mths thing doesnt apply to you!

RAS

fresh air - how old are these accounts? When did you last pay anything on them?

Oh - and CT is a priority debt. I think the OFT would regard the advice from Lowell as unacceptable.

fresh-air1

Hi they the debts in question are 2010-2011, i am going to keep paying my C/Tax weekly as its the only way i can afford to do it, i am also paying arrears and cannot miss that on my C/Tax, i just wasn't sure if i could get in to trouble for not paying Lowell, they are very instant with their calls i have told my children not to answer the phone as i cant talk to them they are very rude and don't listen to what i say, they keep saying there is debts owed and they have the legally right to call as much as they want to collect them

pelirocco

I read it that Lowells are saying the OP will have 'spare' cash in the months CT isnt paid and therefore she should use it to pay off debt

pelirocco

fresh-air1 wrote: »

Hi they the debts in question are 2010-2011, i am going to keep paying my C/Tax weekly as its the only way i can afford to do it, i am also paying arrears and cannot miss that on my C/Tax, i just wasn't sure if i could get in to trouble for not paying Lowell, they are very instant with their calls i have told my children not to answer the phone as i cant talk to them they are very rude and don't listen to what i say, they keep saying there is debts owed and they have the legally right to call as much as they want to collect them

send them a prove it letter , hopefully someone will come along and provide the link . In the meantime ignore them

fresh-air1

thank you Pelirocco, i have now un pluged the phone just in case, hopefully i can get this all sorted out.

RAS

So they are quite new debts?

WRITE to Lowell and demand that they remove your phone number(s) from their systems. Point out that if yu hear fromk them again you will report them to the OFT and the Information Commisioner.

Also record any further calls that take place in the next week - tell the Lowell staff you are doign this. They will not be prepared to repeat the suggestion they have made.