Next step advice please

DMPJourney

Hello all, I have been quietly reading the forums and following the great advice given to others who are in the same situation as me.
I stopped paying my credit cards in November and have been ignoring all calls/letters etc in order to get those all important default markers.
One of my creditors (Jaja) has now passed my account to a collector (Opos) who are now trying to contact me. I haven't engaged with them.
Jaja have not marked my file as 'defaulted', it still says 'in arrears'.
Am I right in thinking that I continue to ignore the collector until the account shows as 'defaulted'? 
It all feels a bit scary being passed to a debt collector. The reasonable part of my brain says they wont appear on the doorstep, but the irrational fear is still there.
I will hold my nerve and continue to ignore if that is the advice given here, I just want to be sure its the right thing to do at this stage.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

EssexHebridean

If they DO arrive on the doorstep, then just either ignore them there too, or open the nearest window, lean out and politely ask them to leave your property immediately. If they decide not to agree, ask a little less politely... (Obviously this only applies with debt collectors, not for anyone who has a CCJ recorded against them where more engagement may really be needed). 

fatbelly

OPOS are likely to just work through their standard letters

I don't think they do visits - it would not be very cost-effective for them.

DMPJourney

fatbelly said:

OPOS are likely to just work through their standard letters

I don't think they do visits - it would not be very cost-effective for them.

Yes they are based quite far away from me. So I continue to ignore them, and what happens then?
Does the account get passed back to Jaja for a default?

sourcrates

DMPJourney said:

fatbelly said:

OPOS are likely to just work through their standard letters

I don't think they do visits - it would not be very cost-effective for them.

Yes they are based quite far away from me. So I continue to ignore them, and what happens then?
Does the account get passed back to Jaja for a default?

The debt remains with the original creditor, OPOS are just acting on their behalf as collection agents, if they have no joy, the account will be returned to them, but it’s likely to be rinse and re-peat with possibly another company, or the debt may be sold, it’s entirely their choice.

At some stage in proceedings it should be defaulted.

DMPJourney

I see, thanks for explaining. I shall continue to ignore and hope for defaults soon.

DMPJourney

Hi all, Jaja have now defaulted my account. It shows a date of 29th March 2023 on my credit file. Opos are still trying to contact me regarding the debt. They are still referring to Jaja as 'our client'.
Now the debt is defaulted shall I engage with Opos to arrange a repayment plan?
Thanks for any advice. 

hoverFrog1

Do you have a letter from the lender explaining that they have engaged an agent to act on their behalf? If so then deal with the agent. If not, deal directly with the lender. I mean, just because they say they are acting on behalf of the lender, doesn't mean that they are.

DMPJourney

No, I havent had a letter from Jaja themselves to say that they have appointed a dca or that they have sold the debt.
I just looked at clearscore and can see that its defaulted, and Im being contacted by Opos to arrange payments.
Do you think that I should ignore Opos and wait for Jaja to write to me?

Brie

What are trying to achieve?  Ending up with token payments to a variety of creditors for the next 10 years or the rest of your life or are you aiming to get a debt relief order?  Do you have anyone assisting you?  Even if it's online or over the phone you might want to contact someone to help deal with what is particular to your situation.  StepChange and NationalDebtline are the two main contenders for that.

sourcrates

Its just sloppy due diligence on the part of Jaja.

They have equitably assigned the debt to Opos, but not bothered to send you a notice of assignment informing you of this.

Its a technical breach of guidance, but as your account is now defaulted, you can choose either to deal with them, or not.