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Lowell Group Advice Needed

Etaine
Posts: 10 Forumite

Hi everyone. I used to be a member on here years ago in a half-arsed attempt to get my finances in order. I never did in the end. I'm now in my 30s, so that has changed somewhat and I'm smack bang in the middle of sorting it all out, properly.
My question (for now) relates to Lowell Group, to whom I pay a number of different accounts from my shady financial past. For some time, I didn't question this, but over the last few days I decided to examine my affairs more closely and I'm not very happy at what I discovered.
When ordering a gift for my daughter's birthday, I happened to recall that I'd had a credit account with the company (overall JD Williams & Co) and out of curiosity, I thought I'd log in to see how the balance had changed, considering I've been paying it via Lowell for two years now. It hadn't changed one bit, even though on my credit report (Experian) it appears to be down significantly, albeit listed as a default with no recent payments (bizarre, I haven't missed a single payment via Lowell). Perhaps stupidly, I went on to see if I could make a payment myself via the account and did so successfully, bringing the balance down by another £100.
I then thought I'd check out one of my other creditors that I pay via Lowell, and gave Vanquis a call about my old credit card (for which I no longer hold details). They were very accommodating and informed me of the balance due - which again hasn't changed in two years. They explained that to make a payment I had to do so via Lowell as they'd bought the debt - but I *have* been making payments via Lowell with apparently no results. I'm very, very confused.
I'll be calling Lowell tomorrow to go through everything, but wanted to see if I could get some thoughts here first. Surely, if I'm paying them for these debts, the payments should a)show on my report and b)actually bring down the balance? Another thing that troubles me is that on my credit report, the original creditors are listed as well as the SAME accounts held by Lowell, making it appear as though I have twice as much debt as I actually do. Can I do anything about this?
Thanks in advance!
My question (for now) relates to Lowell Group, to whom I pay a number of different accounts from my shady financial past. For some time, I didn't question this, but over the last few days I decided to examine my affairs more closely and I'm not very happy at what I discovered.
When ordering a gift for my daughter's birthday, I happened to recall that I'd had a credit account with the company (overall JD Williams & Co) and out of curiosity, I thought I'd log in to see how the balance had changed, considering I've been paying it via Lowell for two years now. It hadn't changed one bit, even though on my credit report (Experian) it appears to be down significantly, albeit listed as a default with no recent payments (bizarre, I haven't missed a single payment via Lowell). Perhaps stupidly, I went on to see if I could make a payment myself via the account and did so successfully, bringing the balance down by another £100.
I then thought I'd check out one of my other creditors that I pay via Lowell, and gave Vanquis a call about my old credit card (for which I no longer hold details). They were very accommodating and informed me of the balance due - which again hasn't changed in two years. They explained that to make a payment I had to do so via Lowell as they'd bought the debt - but I *have* been making payments via Lowell with apparently no results. I'm very, very confused.
I'll be calling Lowell tomorrow to go through everything, but wanted to see if I could get some thoughts here first. Surely, if I'm paying them for these debts, the payments should a)show on my report and b)actually bring down the balance? Another thing that troubles me is that on my credit report, the original creditors are listed as well as the SAME accounts held by Lowell, making it appear as though I have twice as much debt as I actually do. Can I do anything about this?
Thanks in advance!
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Comments
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When was the JD account updated on your credit report?
Accounts can have 2 entries, as long as the first says sold to CAIS member and the default dates are identical. The Lowell ones should then be updated.
Best way to sort this is to write to Lowell, requesting an up to date statement for your accounts within 14 days.
By all means call them, but follow up in writing if no statements received. If they mess you about, just stop laying, they will get the message and pull their finger out.:beer:0 -
Good advice from HB.
However, if you make a formal CCA request the statement of account is legally binding on them. If they don't give you a statement of account then they are in default of your request.BSC No 248
Free, confidential advice
National Debtline 0808 808 4000 | StepChange 0800 138 1111 | CAB - Get Advice
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Can I be dim and ask what CCA stands for? I'm good with formal letters so that's not a problem. I'll definitely send something off requesting a statement of all accounts so I can investigate further.0
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Consumer Credit Agreement.
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/39%20EW%20Credit%20agreements%20-%20getting%20information/Default.aspx
Send one per account and don't bother dealing with them until they send it to you including a statement.:beer:0
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