Dealing with Lowell... Help :)

BlueCleaningStuff

Hi,

Thank you both for your reply.

The original debtor have advised they no longer own the debt any all questions should be directed to Lowell. I don't understand why I would be required to contact someone who no longer owns the debt to dispute the charges with them? As they are no longer the legal owners of the debt are they able to deal with my request for further documentation?

I was going to first make a formal complaint to Lowell with regards to the matter before going to the Ombudsman - but do you think the Ombudsman would still request I contact the original owner of the debt?

The extract from the COC is very useful as well so thanks for that

Kind regards,

Blue

sourcrates

The original creditor added the charges, not Lowell.

Lowell can't remove something it did not add.

Never mind what the OC tells you, they are responsible for dealing with your complaint, not Lowell.

If you want confirmation, just ring the FOS helpline and they will confirm it.

BlueCleaningStuff

Ok thanks Sourcrates!

I think I'll make a complaint to Lowell first, with reference to the CONC statement, as personally I feel the 'legal' owner of the debt should provide the documentation. If that proves fruitless I'll go to the original owner.

Thank you both again,

Blue

sourcrates

BlueCleaningStuff wrote: »

Ok thanks Sourcrates!

I think I'll make a complaint to Lowell first, with reference to the CONC statement, as personally I feel the 'legal' owner of the debt should provide the documentation. If that proves fruitless I'll go to the original owner.

Thank you both again,

Blue

If your looking at getting those charges refunded, then you will have to deal with the OC, and they will have to resolve it for you.

Your wasting your time asking Lowell, as the thing your complaining about happened before Lowell became involved.

Lowell would probebly be able to get the info your looking for, but you would be no nearer getting a refund.

Do you see where I'm coming from ?

Just trying to save you time and hassle.

BlueCleaningStuff

Thanks Sourcrates,

Yes I understand where you are coming from but I just feel that as Lowell is now the owners of the debt they should be the ones to provide the information, rather than me do the chasing and incur costs from that.

Lowell have at least put things on hold for the time being and I would prefer for things to be clearer before I accepted any amount claimed to be owed. I think where I'm coming from is that I expect the person actually chasing the debt to prove the amount owed is accurate rather than saying well its up to me to prove it because they don't have the documentation.

As Im sure you are aware that debts can be passed around a lot so it is quite possible that this debt was cleared already with a different company.

I'm currently not working so no in a position to many payments at the moment (not entitled to any state benefits either alas) so a bit of breathing space until I start working again would help if I do still owe any money.

Thanks to you both again,

Blue

sourcrates

Ok, understand your concerns.


Let me put it another way, is your intention to get the charges added by Little woods refunded, yes or no ?


If yes, then you will have to make your complaint for a refund direct to Littlewoods, as they added them to your account.


Lowell or anyone else, are not allowed to add charges or interest to accounts they buy unless the original account terms and conditions allows them to do so, most agreements covered by the consumer credit act do not.


Lowell will not of been aware of any disputed charges when they bought the debt, they cannot refund what they did not add in the first place, regardless now of who owns the debt.


If No, and your intention is just to ask for a breakdown of charges and/or interest added to the account, then Lowell are responsible for providing that information, yes.


Once you have that info, there is nothing stopping you from complaining to Littlewoods, and asking for a refund.