Lowell/HSBC

roosterjones

Hi,

I recieved a letter out of the blue recently from Lowell Portfolio I, claiming I owe £2760.

This debt was from 2000/2001, I thought I had sorted it back then, but can't remember how.

Is there anything I can do to sort this out? They have started calling me every couple of days, luckily I've not been in to take the call, I'm worried it'll affect my credit rating. I have no evidence to back up my claims that it was sorted out in 2001, I've moved several times since and probably binned it all.

Will they leave me alone if they can't contact me or will I have to speak to someone to try to sort it out?

Thanks

guyrulius

This bunch of chancers seem to specialise in buying statute barred accounts and trying their luck. They send a letter hoping you will panic into acknowledging the debt. Send them a cca letter. You will find it in one of the threads. Don't worry about Red Debt Collections, they are all part of the same group. Deal with them only in writing.

Good luck and keep posting on this. I have a special interest in Lowell and Red Debts at the moment.

spinningsheep

Ive just finished repaying my debts to Lowell from HSBC and I found them to be very good. Accepted my repayment plan, no harrassment, no threatening calls, and offered by a 1/2 price FF settlement.

rog2

roosterjones wrote: »

Hi,

I recieved a letter out of the blue recently from Lowell Portfolio I, claiming I owe £2760.

This debt was from 2000/2001, I thought I had sorted it back then, but can't remember how.

Is there anything I can do to sort this out? They have started calling me every couple of days, luckily I've not been in to take the call, I'm worried it'll affect my credit rating. I have no evidence to back up my claims that it was sorted out in 2001, I've moved several times since and probably binned it all.

Will they leave me alone if they can't contact me or will I have to speak to someone to try to sort it out?

Thanks

The chances are that, if you have made no payments towards this debt, or contacted the original creditor, since 2001, then the 'debt' is covered by the Limitations Act, and is 'Statute Barred'.
This means that, if you tell the creditor/dca that you will not pay the alleged debt because it is 'statute barred' then they can not pursue you for payment.
There is a template letter which you should send to Lowell, on the following link:

http://nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/7975_98121.pdf

mookybargirl

This post was on the credit cards board by someone else... looks quite similar to the problem you have - some of the responses may also be helpful to you.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=508037

roosterjones

Thanks guys, most helpful.

What happens if I decide not to contact them? It's a bit scary really and I'd perfer not to deal with them at all.

Is ignoring them and hoping they leave me alone an idea i should consider? (if it's a silly idea, pls tell me!)

If not i guess i'll have to send them the letters, which one goes first?

guyrulius

I woould go with the cca letter first. See what they've got. Ignore anything else that comes through the post for now. In the letter state you won't respond until they can provide proof as required by the cca request.

Send it registered post with a cheque or po for £1 and give them 14 days to respond.

If they don't respond they are on shaky ground anyway as I believe the debt becomes unenforceable. If they still try it on and you're sure of your dates run with the statute barred letter.

rog2

roosterjones wrote: »

Is ignoring them and hoping they leave me alone an idea i should consider? (if it's a silly idea, pls tell me!)

If not i guess i'll have to send them the letters, which one goes first?

Hi rj - Ignoring them is not really a good idea - they will drive you mad with their persistant harassment.

If you are NOT sure what the debt is, then send a CCA letter, as per the one in the following link:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1444823#post1444823

If they can not send you the original cca, then they can not enforce the alleged debt.

If, on the other hand, you know what the alleged debt is, and are sure that you have made no payment to, or been in written contact with, the creditor for more than six years, then send the 'statute barred' letter:

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/7975_98121.pdf

You do have the right to demand that they cease trying to contact you, by telephone, and to insist that all future communication be in writing only.