Argos Card/Wescot Debt Help

Legacy_user

Hi people. I've not dealt with something like this before so I would really like advice.

My boyfriend has an Argos Card in debt for, lets say, around 400-450. We can't afford to pay it in full, but the monthly payments were doable. The issue however is that my boyfriend is very forgetful and constantly forgot to pay it and also forgot all of his login information...

We have received 2 letters from Wescot saying they have been contacted by Argos to reclaim this debt, they have only said that they will continue to call us and send letters, no threat of anything else (the 2nd letter was just them saying that they've checked that they're sending to the right address).
I would much rather we paid Argos Card directly obviously (and take more control in making sure my boyfriend actually remembers to pay) but I'm not sure if that's possible now or how any of this works? Do we just contact Argos, explain our situation/ask to pay them and ignore Wescot? Do we call Wescot and arrange a monthly payment? Do I need to make sure everything is in writing, etc...

Some other things I'd like to add about the situation:
1. We are young hence why we're so unexperienced with all this - I am on benefits as I'm disabled and he has a very low paying job.
2. We received these letters at an old address - we literally just moved last week.
3. Argos have NOT said that they have closed the Argos Card account.

Any advice on what we should do is appreciated, thank you.

National_Debtline

Hi northghosts


Argos will either be employing Westcott to collect the debt, or they will have sold it to them. Either way you will need to deal with Westcott now, but don't worry as they are only a debt collection agency (DCA). They don't have any special powers and they can't take any goods.


It sounds like the balance of the debt has been called in and the card cancelled. Your boyfriend is going to need to complete a statement of affairs (SOA) to decide on his next steps. He could use the SOA to negotiate reduced payments and a freeze on interest. And if he has other debts he may have more options available, such as a debt management plan or debt relief order. I'd recommend contacting one of the free debt advice agencies to discuss all of his options.


Susie
@natdebtline

sourcrates

Wescot do not buy debts any longer, so they will only be acting on behalf of Argos, however as they have appointed wescot to deal with the debt, you should contact wescot.

They are easy to deal with, just do a budget and work out what you can afford to pay towards the debt, then pay them.

It can all be done from there website, no need to speak to anyone.