Dealing with Lowell - Help Appreciated

EveryCloud

Hello All,

Just wondered whether I could ask for some advice on a situation I've found myself in please?

In April 2013 I defaulted on a British Gas bill with the total amount owed amounting to £800. I moved address numerous times not informing them of any new address so they had no means of contacting me other than by phone or email. I started getting text messages to contact Lowell in 2015. The messages then went quiet until this year and I then received an email last week stating:

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Dear Miss **********

50% Discount still available.
This discount is still available on your former British Gas account for a limited time.

Don't miss out - you can clear the discounted balance today or set up affordable instalments without even picking up the phone.

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Also, I have not checked my credit file for over 5 years to check the actual date of the default as I was worried that by signing up to a credit reference agency Lowell would be able to obtain my current address.

My questions I wondered whether you could help with are:

1. Should I hold off and hope the debt goes over the 6 years limitation period?

2. Should I attempt to contact Lowell and settle at 50% discounted debt?

3. Would I have to get Lowell to send a letter stating that this a Full and Final payment so they can't pass the other 50% to another debt collection agency?

4. If paid in full would this debt drop off on the 6 year anniversary of the default or reset because I had paid the debt and this would be considered acknowledgement of the debt?

5. What is the best way to pay Lowell, cheque or debit card?

6. If I sign up to a credit reference agency which are the better ones to use and would they pass my current details on to Lowell?

I've handled this debt terribly I know, just looking for the best plan of action now. There seems to be plenty of sound advice/help given in these forums and in turn will help others as I gain more experience with such issues.

Thank you in advance.

EveryCloud

Willing2Learn

Hi Everycloud and welcome to the forum

Firstly, I think you would get better, more helpful replies on the Debt-Free Wannabe board.

Second, it sounds like they are fishing before the debt becomes statute barred. The want to see if you will take the bait by paying up!

Edit: Just re-reading your post again. You have stated that you have not acknowledged the debt since April 2013. The debt would become SBd in April 2016.

How is the debt marked on your credit files?

CakeCrusader

It takes 6 years for a debt to become statute barred, so 6 years from the last time it was acknowledged or a payment was made. They are offering you 50% off, they shouldn't pass it on to another debt collectors, it'll be done and dusted. It's possible that they will start court proceedings just before your 6 years is up, and this is probably the last thing you'll want as a CCJ will stay on your credit file for 6 years from when it was awarded. Lowell do often seek a CCJ by the way, especially if the debtor's avoiding them. Personally, if you used the gas/electricity then you should pay for it and a 50% discount isn't bad, but that's up to you. They don't care how you pay them.


It's worth checking your credit files anyway, the three free ones are Noodle, Clearscore, and MSE Credit Club (these cover the three big companies like Equifax, Experian). They won't pass your details onto anyone, but a debt collector can do a search on you to find you (and Lovell do searches of credit files, which is probably how they have found you).

pogofish

IME dealing with Lowell is akin to banging your brains out against a wall - They play by entirely their own rules and don't take much heed of anything that isn't in their interest to do plus they will try and screw more money money and personal information out of you at every turn.

CakeCrusader

pogofish wrote: »

IME dealing with Lowell is akin to banging your brains out against a wall - They play by entirely their own rules and don't take much heed of anything that isn't in their interest to do plus they will try and screw more money money and personal information out of you at every turn.

I found them OK to be honest. I had an unpaid utility bill which was passed onto them (the energy company were crap & didn't record my change of address or keep my last meter readings), they were fair, I wasn't hassled, their letters were clear, I paid up as I owed it (they did knock a 1/3 off the debt too as the energy company messed up), there were no hidden fees, and they only asked for the information they needed.

Thrugelmir

EveryCloud wrote: »

6. If I sign up to a credit reference agency which are the better ones to use and would they pass my current details on to Lowell?

They may well of found you. As you've bound to left a trail of some kind. Experian offer service called GAIN (Gone Away Information Network). Sooner or later people have to resurface just to live their normal lives,

LMCD

please see below


My questions I wondered whether you could help with are:

1. Should I hold off and hope the debt goes over the 6 years limitation period? Nope

2. Should I attempt to contact Lowell and settle at 50% discounted debt? Yes

3. Would I have to get Lowell to send a letter stating that this a Full and Final payment so they can't pass the other 50% to another debt collection agency? they will send you an email or letter as agreement of arrangment with them as long as you paying them.. they wont sell it. Not when they have discounted and will get some monetary value. My payments are now done thankfully but in the time paying them off they never shifted company. Great to deal with tbh than other experiences in past.

4. If paid in full would this debt drop off on the 6 year anniversary of the default or reset because I had paid the debt and this would be considered acknowledgement of the debt? Default should just go away. Takes courage but go view your credit report.

5. What is the best way to pay Lowell, cheque or debit card? they can take debit card payment on a date agreed every month. Clears quicker than waiting for your cheque to clear.

6. If I sign up to a credit reference agency which are the better ones to use and would they pass my current details on to Lowell? Lowell can search themselves.. they can look you up.

I've handled this debt terribly I know, just looking for the best plan of action now. There seems to be plenty of sound advice/help given in these forums and in turn will help others as I gain more experience with such issues. Hope you get it sorted the best way for you.. clearing it with their discounted offer is best way imo. Default away 6 years after that default date. I am sure you will feel much better for having done so.

Thank you in advance.

EveryCloud[/QUOTE]

[Deleted User]

Pay the debt that you owe

EveryCloud

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Update
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Have taken the plunge and paid the debt off through Lowell's website. Feel heaps better having done so. Just hope this doesn't stay on my credit file for another 6 years from now. Hopefully it will drop off next year as that was 6 years from the original default date.

Thank you for all of the responses, has helped to share the problem.

Much appreciated.

Every Cloud

jimbo26

It will drop off, 6 years from the date of the default.

LawAbiding

It'll drop off after 6 years from default date. I have had defaults drop off recently, to which I still pay an arrangement every month.

Pop it in your calendar, the date its supposed to drop off, and no time, you'll have the reminder pop u