Parents debt. Do I offer to settle, or am I screwed?

Elle7

Thanks for the well-wishes.

I sent the letter today. I also filled in the online complaint form, as advised on the phone.

Someone replied hastily to say that if the orders were done from my laptop, it is my responsibility. They added that they had an email or two regarding orders that were signed off with my name. I've asked for copies of these for the police, but again they thought that this signified a lack of care for my details.

They advised that I withdraw the claim and try to pay £600 a month until the account is paid off, so that they don't have to look into whether I'm making a fraudulent application :eek:

It looks like it'll be a hard fight.

Elle7

Today's update:

Littlewoods emailed last night thanking me for alerting them to the problem, and stating that the fraud team will be in touch with me within 48 hours.

I've asked Barclays for documentation relating back to when my mum had an overdraft there in my name - they fixed this very promptly, which I was pleased with, but I can't find any paperwork. I think this could help with Littlewoods? No idea if Barclays will send me anything, though.

Googling fraud investigations has worried me a bit - it seems that they'll be desperate to prove it was me, and the onus is on me to prove that it wasn't - but I hope the truth will prevail.

battyboimatt

Overdraft at 16, are you sure ? you can't get credit at all until your 18.

Elle7

I think that's why Barclays were so helpful. They had it removed within hours of me meeting them and showing them proof of age, showing that I wasn't old enough at the time that the overdraft was opened.

Lensman_2

A subject access request (SAR or DSAR) under the data protection act might get the data you need from Barclays. How long ago was it?

A SAR costs £10, but that might be cheap in comparison.

Elle7

I've had a few calls from Littlewoods today. No messages left, so I didn't know it was them until they just emailed asking me to call tomorrow between 8am and 8pm.

I'm guessing that's not a good idea?

Elle7

Well, I've had an update letter.

It acknowledges my request to remove this from my credit file whilst it's being investigated, but says that the investigation is complete and there is no evidence of fraud.

It doesn't reference my crime number.

It then goes on to thank me for giving them the opportunity to investigate.

Any advice on where to go from here? I can't afford to pay it, so it looks like I won't be getting a mortgage for the next six years at least. Gutted.

chesky

Have they sent you a copy of the original agreement?

Elle7

No, not yet, but I only sent the letter last Wednesday.

The account was opened online in 2009, so I presume that will all be up-to-scratch anyway, but I could write again and chase it.

sourcrates

Elle7 wrote: »

No, not yet, but I only sent the letter last Wednesday.

The account was opened online in 2009, so I presume that will all be up-to-scratch anyway, but I could write again and chase it.

I wouldn't bother, they don't need a signed agreement if it was taken out online, different rules apply.