Help Please with Robinson Way

BertieB1977

Hi

New to the forum and have today received a letter from Robinson Way who I now know are a DCA. Really took me aback as not had any debt issues for about 10 years and now have cards, loans and car via finance with Barclays so never suspected still had any outstanding debts.

In my naivety around 10 years ago I ran up some debt with First Direct through a loan and a credit card and subsequently lost my job meaning I couldn't pay back what I owed and sought help via Citizens Advice etc and eventually ended up paying back £10 a month standing order to a company called Metropolitan Collection Services who I now know are part of HSBC, even more stupidly I've still been paying this £10 a month ( I know it's stupid and ignorant on my part) so in affect I've been acknowledging a debt for years now and I'm thinking that the only reason Robinson Way are now chasing me is they now have said debt that was previously with MCS.

Is this plausible?

Feel really sick in my stomach about this as I now have totally different life with kids etc and am now worried.

The letter received today gives no details on any debt just asks me to call them to basically verify its me and gives a previous address of mine that I've not lived at for the last 10 years, also I find this strange given I've had at least 3 other addresses since then so struggling to understand why it's taken this long to chase any debt.

At the time when Citizens Advice helped me they sorted out a freeze on any interest etc. but my Mum supported me at that time and kept all the necessary paperwork so I'm hoping she still has it or copies of said paperwork.

Sorry for the long winded post but could do with some advice on what to do next as my first thought is contact Citizens Advice again to see where I stand, also do I contact Robinson Way myself or send them anything as it feels at the moment like they are still fishing? Also I've read on here that as I've paid towards this debt in the last 6 years it's an admission.

Help please

BertieB1977

Sorry guys but has anyone got any advice on my above post or can help guide me in anyway?

Thanks in advance

fermi

If they don't say what it is then perhaps wait until they do, or send Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

If they then confirm what it is, then make a legal request for the credit agreements and statement of account --> https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/39%20EW%20Credit%20agreements%20-%20getting%20information/Page-05.aspx

Marktheshark

Send the prove it letter above.
Also request the credit agreement be produced.
Do not tell them you are paying anyone else or have been !
Let them stump up all the proof, give them no information other than demands for proof .

BertieB1977

Thanks so much for the templates and the advice.

One question I have is when I send the prove it letter effectively I'll be confirming my address won't i?

Is that a problem?

happy_bunny_2

Yes you will. Does that matter?

Best give them your new address, in case of court action, as at least you will know about it.

Get proof it's your debt.

Then, if so, send a CCA request. No produce, no court CCJ,they are stuffed and you can ignore or settle for not a lot.

BertieB1977

Thanks again guys, last night I was fretting so much about this but seeing some of the advice and support on here really gives me hope that I can fight back.

I've read on another forum that after 10 years they may find it difficult to produce a signed credit agreement, is that true?

happy_bunny_2

BertieB1977 wrote: »

Thanks again guys, last night I was fretting so much about this but seeing some of the advice and support on here really gives me hope that I can fight back.

I've read on another forum that after 10 years they may find it difficult to produce a signed credit agreement, is that true?

Correct. A CCA request will find out what they have.

BertieB1977

So just to be clear I need to put ALL the onus on them to prove the debt?

happy_bunny_2

Yes. The advice from a Fermi is what you need.

Send the prove it letter, wait, when they respond, post back simples

Don't fret, not a great deal they can do here.

matttye

Prove it letter? Prove what? I know they will obviously be trying to contact the OP about a debt but they have so far mentioned nothing about any debt.

I say keep your powder dry and await further correspondence from them before doing anything. They could have written to lots of people with your name hoping one of you is the person they're looking for. I wouldn't confirm your address at this time.

I take happy_bunny's point in post #6 about letting them have address for court papers, but seems unlikely it will escalate from fishing to court papers that quickly.