Settlement figure from Lowell??

colabottle_2

My husband recieved a letter from Lowells re a debt from 4-5 years ago for the amount og £2911. We phoned them to get a settlement figure as I said we had £1400 spare and could raise another 300 max. The lad at the end of the phone said he would try for £1700.

I spoke to another woman who said because my husband is in the army they will not reduce the settlement past £2500 beucase they can go straight to the army and demand the money - she was very threatening in a non threating manner (if you know what I mean)

I have found out this is not the case without a CCJ and she was just trying to frighten us. Has anybody got any advice on how to proceed. The first person I spoke to said normally settlements are about 50%. Any tips on getting a reduced settlement and how we should proceed??

Thank you!!

rog2

colabottle wrote: »

I spoke to another woman who said because my husband is in the army they will not reduce the settlement past £2500 beucase they can go straight to the army and demand the money - she was very threatening in a non threating manner (if you know what I mean)

I hope that you took the name of this 'woman' and noted the time of the call. She was acting in direct contravention of the OFT guidelines on debt collection, which you can see here:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

You would be well within your rights to report this woman to Trading Standards, but my initial advice would be to conduct ALL future communication in writing only, and to use the letters that can be found on the National Debtline site:
http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Has your husband given Lowell written instructions that they should discuss his debt with you?

chevalier

Seems a bit off to me agree with what rog says. Send an offer in in writing for half the debt and see what they say. But don't take anyones word on the phone,
chev

colabottle_2

Thanks for the advise. He hasn't given written instruction but gave his authority at the beginning of the call. I was so angry with her that I am very tempted to report her. I know alot of people would have buckled. Do you think its worth asking for the CCA when offering half?