Where exactly do I stand?

XValentine

Hi all.

I've been dealing with a debt for a while now and, the whole ordeal is baffling to me. I'll try not to take up too much time and explain everything as simple as I can, as I'd like some advice on the matter.

in 2006 I opened a second account with Nationwide (This account was set up for one reason, so I could pay rent to a family member, via standing order.)

I had a £50 a month standing order on this account.

The family member closed the account that I was paying into and told me I could pay them rent in cash.

I went to Nationwide, and closed my account with them. (I still had my original, card only account with them)

Fast forward 2010.

I receive a letter from a debt collector, asking me to pay £650. I phone them up and ask what this is about? To be told that it is a debt on a Nationwide account.

I contact Nationwide to ask, they then inform me that account I had closed, was still open and that £50 a month was being taken out and I was being charged £30 for an unplanned overdraft/charges, they then stopped the account and sold the debt.

I asked them where did the money go to? As the account I was paying into was closed? They told me. That £50 was going out of my empty account and being returned; this is a £30 charge every time this happened, plus an overdraft fee.

In this time, I hadn't received one letter from Nationwide to say the account was still open or that I was being charged. I was however receiving letters from them about my original account.

Upon digging, I found that Nationwide not only didn't close the account, they also had the account registered to an address I've never heard of.

I asked for print outs of all the data from Nationwide and sent it to the debt collectors, telling them that I refuse to pay this debt. That it was an error on Nationwide and that I have no contract and haven't signed anything with the debt collector, and how in all reality I did not go into any debt, I did not borrow any money from anyone.

I moved maybe three or four months after telling them I'm not paying it, and didn't hear from them at all in this time. I have moved three times since 2010 and have never heard from them again.

Until today. I now no longer live in the UK, I live in the Chanel Islands.

I want to know if anyone knows what I should do here. I feel like I am being robbed from in all honesty. I've spoken to Nationwide over the phone and they have told me that have No Records of this account any more.

Thank you in advance and thank you for taking time to read this.

-XV.

(Ps. This is the only debt I have.)

Tixy

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Do you mean you have been contacted by debt collectors today?
Who has contacted you and was that by letter or phone or what? and what have they said to you?

XValentine

Thank you for your response.

It was a letter from the debt collectors (Lowell.)

"We are contacting you about an account we purchased from Nationwide which was opened in 2006. Nationwide sold us this account due to an outstanding balance. This may be because Nationwide did not have up to date details for you.

We have used the services of Credit Reference Agency, who have provided us with your address. We would like to confirm the information we hold is correct and up to date"

They then ask me to call them so that they can "help me" with my debt.

FireWyrm

From what you have said....
1) the debt collector could not prove the debt even if they wanted to because...
2) Nationwide have no record of it.


The debt collector seems to be working on the offchance. I would ignore it frankly until and unless court papers arrive.

FireWyrm

XValentine wrote: »

We would like to confirm the information we hold is correct and up to date"

They then ask me to call them so that they can "help me" with my debt.

In other words, they have no idea if you are the culprit and cant prove it even if they were sure. Ignore and file under 'bin'

Tixy

Its usually advised to start any contact with a debt collector with the prove it letter.
This specifically does not acknowledge the debt and asks them to provide further evidence of the debt - see template here - Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

Was lowell the previous debt collector you dealt with?

XValentine

Yes. This is same firm who contacted me in 2010.

FireWyrm

XValentine wrote: »

Yes. This is same firm who contacted me in 2010.

And you did not acknowledge the debt or pay them anything?

XValentine

In 2010, after speaking to Nationwide and being told why this debt existed, I phoned Lowell and informed them that I did not borrow money from Nationwide and that this debt is fabricated as Nationwide did not lose any money, they simply added a minus to an account assumed closed.

FireWyrm

Hmmm...

I might be inclined to write to Nationwide and complain. Say that you want the account expunged on the basis that this is clearly their mistake and nothing to do with you. You have not borrowed money in any way and their charges are entirely coincidental.

Ignore Lowell entirely and go to the organ grinder.

DawnW

FireWyrm wrote: »

Hmmm...

I might be inclined to write to Nationwide and complain. Say that you want the account expunged on the basis that this is clearly their mistake and nothing to do with you. You have not borrowed money in any way and their charges are entirely coincidental.

Ignore Lowell entirely and go to the organ grinder.

I agree, official complaint to NW and take it further if not resolved.