Extra default added to same debt

oldmuser

I have a default from Jan 2011 for approx 1.6k, which I couldnt pay at the time as I was not working. I have since got a permanent position, and been saving to make a full and final settlement for it.

The debt was with HSBC, but I have checked my Noddle report and a company called Lowell have added a default to my file this month. I have checked the details and it is for the same amount as HSBC's orignal default.

On my Lowell entry, I have no missed payments apart from this month. HSBC's default has missed payments from Jan 2011 up to March 2013. There hasn't been a missed payment for this month.

So, what's the situation with this? Does it sound if it's been sold on? Surely this can't be right. 2 defaults for the same debt!

I've made some mistakes in the past, and now I'm trying to fix them- and this is just making it even more tricky!

Thanks,
OM

Tixy

Have lowell added the default this month but used the default date of Jan 11 or have they added the account and entered the default as 2013?

It sounds like the debt has now been sold on. But they are not allowed to report the same debt twice on your credit file. It should only appear in the name of lowell if HSBC remove their entry. And the default date on the lowell account must be the same date that HSBC originally used.

oldmuser

Hi Tixy,
I just had another look- I can do screenshots of what's on my Noddle file, obviously removing the details.

HSBC default date: xx/01/2011
Lowell default date: xx/02/2011

I've replaced the actual days so it's harder for me to be identified online by anyone snooping. There are 5 days between HSBC's default date and Lowell's one.

The account number is the same for both defaults, and the account start dates are as well.

If it's been sold on, what's the best starting figure to offer to Lowell? And what should I do about this extra default?

OM

Tixy

No letters from Lowell yet?

To start you could write to them (copy in hsbc) and state you have noted they have added an entry and default to your credit file that appears to relate to an HSBC debt. Point out that the HSBC account and default (with the correct default date) still appear on your credit file and that you require them to remove their duplicate entry from your file.

Or you could wait to see if they write to you in the next week or so and then reply to that to state that same.

With regards to a full & final settlement, are you paying anything towards it to HSBC at the moment? token payments or anything?
You might want to start by just offering lowell token payments when they first write to you, and then offer a full & final in a couple of months time. Best to start any F&F low as you can always increase your offer, or they may come back with a counter offer for you.

oldmuser

I havn't had anything from HSBC or Lowell for a long while, nothing from when I moved into my current flat- and that's been a year and a month now. I updated my address to the current bank that I use as soon as I moved- so I don't understand why there havn't been any letters yet.

I had to get my phone number changed because of the calls I was getting, while I was looking for a job. Answering the phone to a agency, prospective employer or HSBC- it made me nervous everytime it rang and made me sound unconfident on the phone to whoever was on the other line.

Nope, I havn't been paying anything- token payments etc. I did start a job in March 2011, and offered them £1 which they accepted but I didn't get around to that as that job was temp and lasted for 3 weeks when I thought it was going to be longer. It was weekly work with a zero contract.

I have got about 15% to offer, so should I just go to Lowell rather than HSBC when making settlement? I want to try and save more before contacting them, as I just want this thing to go away- so if they counter with something like 45% then I don't have the funds to clear it now and the letters could start again.

OM

pauletruth

very unlikely to go as low as 15%. expect it to be in the 40-60 range.