Lowell Group chasing a debt that isn't mine

chereney21

Hello. I am new here and I wonder if anyone can give any advice?

About 2 months ago I had a text message on my house phone asking for my maiden name (which I haven't used in 6 years) and askinge to call them back. I didn't know who they were so ignored it. A few weeks later I got another message but this time called them back. I gave the reference number from the text but they couldn't find me. I then gave my current address and previous address (going back 15 years) and still nothing. On the off chance I gave my parents address in Scotland which I left 15 years ago at the age on 17. Apparently this is the address they have (although I don't know where they got ny phone number from).

The person I spoke to was quite nice and told me that they are contacting me regarding a debt to a doorstep loan company call Provodent (I have never heard of these people) from 2006! Now i have been living in England since 2000 so have no idea about this debt. I had some debt trouble myself and went throught CCCS a few years ago and have everything paid. I also keep a close eye on my credit file and there is nothing on there about this company. Thean I spoke to seemed quite sympathetic anf said he would pass it to the relevant department saying it wasn't me. However today I have had another text message at home from them. I don't know what to do but I know 100% that I don't owe these people. My one concern is that I may have been my mum or grandmother. I can't ask though as I haven't spoken to my mum in years and my gran passd away 2 years ago. They are the only ones who could have had my details. I am really worried because I don't want to get into trouble over a debt that isn't mine.

Does anyone have any advice? I know they have my phone number which we have only had since 2008 but I am scared in case they find my address.

sourcrates

Write to then, with the "provit" letter, asking them to either verify there claim, or to remove all your details from there files and leave you alone.


Template letter available here :


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247

seanavfc92

chereney21 wrote: »

Hello. I am new here and I wonder if anyone can give any advice?

About 2 months ago I had a text message on my house phone asking for my maiden name (which I haven't used in 6 years) and askinge to call them back. I didn't know who they were so ignored it. A few weeks later I got another message but this time called them back. I gave the reference number from the text but they couldn't find me. I then gave my current address and previous address (going back 15 years) and still nothing. On the off chance I gave my parents address in Scotland which I left 15 years ago at the age on 17. Apparently this is the address they have (although I don't know where they got ny phone number from).

The person I spoke to was quite nice and told me that they are contacting me regarding a debt to a doorstep loan company call Provodent (I have never heard of these people) from 2006! Now i have been living in England since 2000 so have no idea about this debt. I had some debt trouble myself and went throught CCCS a few years ago and have everything paid. I also keep a close eye on my credit file and there is nothing on there about this company. Thean I spoke to seemed quite sympathetic anf said he would pass it to the relevant department saying it wasn't me. However today I have had another text message at home from them. I don't know what to do but I know 100% that I don't owe these people. My one concern is that I may have been my mum or grandmother. I can't ask though as I haven't spoken to my mum in years and my gran passd away 2 years ago. They are the only ones who could have had my details. I am really worried because I don't want to get into trouble over a debt that isn't mine.

Does anyone have any advice? I know they have my phone number which we have only had since 2008 but I am scared in case they find my address.

I'm wondering if it would be worth getting in touch with the collection agency and requesting a copy of the Consumer Credit Act that you have supposedly signed.

Are you able to prove that you've been living in England since 2000? If so, this may support your claim as you weren't living at the address at the time of the debt being taken out.

Also, if your credit file has your current address, Lowell will be able to see this. Don't worry about it though, they don't have any power to come to your property and remove goods.

chereney21

Thank you. I was thinking of writing to them but I am worried about what might happen once they have my address. I've read online that they can be particularly nasty. On my credit file it shows me being on the electoral register since 2000. Also I jad debt at my previous address for that period and I am sure I have payslips and p60's since before 2006.

sourcrates

chereney21 wrote: »

Thank you. I was thinking of writing to them but I am worried about what might happen once they have my address. I've read online that they can be particularly nasty. On my credit file it shows me being on the electoral register since 2000. Also I jad debt at my previous address for that period and I am sure I have payslips and p60's since before 2006.

Nah, Lowell are !!!!!!s really, the only way to get them off your back is to go down this road I`m afraid, chances are its not your debt, sending the provit letter will determine this once and for all.


Add a line at the bottom of the letter where you only consent to contact in writing.
Once sent, they are obligated to either prove you owe the money or to jog on !!

chereney21

Thanks for the advice, I will be sending them a "prove it" letter as soon as I can. This morning I received a letter from them so quite clearly they have managed to find my address anyway. I called them again and spoke to another advisor who seemed reasonably helpful. Again I explained what I had to the previous advisor and he put me on hold. When he came back he told me that they were putting a freeze on the account until they have investigated it as there are a lot of anomalies (of course there are!) and I should receive their findings in about 30 days? Has anyone ever had anything investigated by them and had a successful outcome? I know it's not my debt but I just feel sceptical at this point that they will agree. Anyway I asked him if there was anything that I needed to do such as calling the police to report fraud or to call the original company. He told me not to and to just leave it to them at the moment. I am hoping that this gets cleared up quickly but I don't know what I'm going to do if they come back to me trying to tell me that I am liable.

[Deleted User]

One thing.

When you send the Prove It letter, don't sign it.

chereney21

Thanks for the reply, I will take your advice but can I just ask why not to sign it? I genuinely don't have a clue with these things.

enfield_freddy

I was thinking that they might photocopy your signature , however I noted that you changed from your maiden name to your new one about six yrs ago?


so did you know your now husband or where you married 8 yrs ago (2006)?

chereney21

I have been with my husband since June 2000. I then moved in with him (so moved to England) around November 2000. I have been in England ever since. We have lived at 2 addresses since then and I have been on the electoral register for them both. We got Married in 2008.

[Deleted User]

enfield_freddy wrote: »

I was thinking that they might photocopy your signature

Precisely.

It's not unheard of, for a signature to magically appear on a credit agreement.