Robinson Way - Old Abbey National Loan

Delta16

Hi Everybody,


I'm looking for some help if someone would be so kind. This is my first time posting but I've referred to these forums a lot in the past and I'm sure one of you guys will be able to help me out.


Back in 2004/5 (I'm not 100% sure of the year), I took out a loan with Abbey National for £5000. To cut a long story short, I became quite seriously ill, I had to leave my job and so I couldn't make any payments on my debts. I was out of action for about 18months but then I started working again. I set up a debt repayment plan and started paying off the loan (along with two other debts). I continued to pay this plan up until January 2013. I stopped the monthly payment, paid the other two debts in full but I left the Abbey National loan unpaid. The main reason was because I didn't have a clue of its status at the time. I had never received a statement from either Santander or a DCA during the whole time that I had the loan (whereas the other two debts that I paid off in full used to send me quarterly statements showing my payments). I had no way of knowing how much, if anything, was still outstanding on the loan. In hindsight, I probably should have just carried on paying to them because it appears it's come back to bite me in the proverbial!


Yesterday I received two letters in one envelope (with Robinson Way's return address on the back). One letter was headed Santander, stating that the outstanding debt for £3700 had been sold to Hoist Portfolio Holding 2 Limited. The second letter was headed Hoist Portfolio Holding 2 Limited, stating that Robinson Way would now be responsible for collecting the debt.


So, I'm anticipating a letter turning up within the next couple of days from Robinson Way chasing the debt. I have massive reservations as to the amount outstanding. I have no paperwork from anyone showing the payments I've made and a decreasing balance over time. I'm getting a bit stressed to be honest.


Does anyone know where I need to go with this? Should I just start paying it regardless, or can I contest it in some way? Even if it's just the amount owed?


Any advice would be massively appreciated!

fermi

Once you are contacted, 1st step would be to get all the info they hold on the agreements and how the sum now due arose.

The laws that can get you that and template letters are explained here: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/39%20EW%20Credit%20agreements%20-%20getting%20information/Default.aspx

Delta16

Hi Fermi,


Thanks for your reply.


I was going to do this anyway. My concern is that they'll send back paperwork that's "made up". I've had this in the past with a DCA that basically sent paperwork that was just typed up and didn't bear any resemblance to the facts.


I'll request it regardless and see what they come back with. Hopefully it'll all be pretty clear and it'll turn out that I'm stressing for nothing!


Again, thank you for your advice.

sourcrates

Delta16 wrote: »

Hi Fermi,

Thanks for your reply.

I was going to do this anyway. My concern is that they'll send back paperwork that's "made up". I've had this in the past with a DCA that basically sent paperwork that was just typed up and didn't bear any resemblance to the facts.

Hi,
If you are concerned about the legitimacy of anything the DCA sends you, then your next step would be a S.A.R (subject access request) to the original lender, this does cost £10, but should get you all the information the lender holds on you.

Delta16

Hi sourcrates,


I have no problem paying the £10 if it will clarify whether I'm being lied to or not. I'm fretting due to the lack of info I have really.


I'll go through the motions and see what comes back. No doubt I'll be back for more advice!


Thanks for your reply and guidance.

Delta16

Well, the plot certainly thickens with this one!


I came home from work today to find the expected letter from Robinson Way waiting for me. It was a fairly genial letter, basically stating that they want to do their best to help me get the outstanding debt cleared. Pretty standard stuff.


Anyway, it spurred me on to go hunting for old paperwork regarding the loan. Low and behold, I've found a copy of the original agreement and it's got PPI on it! I'm completely shocked to be honest because it's not something I ever asked for nor something that I had explained to me. It certainly explains why I was paying for so long and hardly made a dent in the outstanding balance.


Any ideas on what to do now? I absolutely begrudge paying for something I didn't even know I had!


Again, any advice will be gratefully received :-).

sourcrates

Delta16 wrote: »

Anyway, it spurred me on to go hunting for old paperwork regarding the loan. Low and behold, I've found a copy of the original agreement and it's got PPI on it! I'm completely shocked to be honest because it's not something I ever asked for nor something that I had explained to me.


Any ideas on what to do now? I absolutely begrudge paying for something I didn't even know I had!


Again, any advice will be gratefully received :-).

Yes, get a complaint put in straight away, to the original lender, full guide here :


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance


Just be aware though, any refund you receive may be used by the lender to offset your debt.

antonic

And I have had personal experience of Robinson way dealing with an old Cahoot credit debt that was sold to them.

My experience with them was positive, as I made all the payments due , through my DMP with Payplan and they left me alone.