Advice please

Combatclerk20

Hi and hello,
Just after some advice, about 3 years ago my personal circumstances changed and i lost everything, so I had to return the car I had on PCP back to the dealership. I had a relapse and was back in hospital for a few months. Upon my discharge i had help sorting out my finances and gave the finance company a ring to discuss some sort of payment plan, at which they told me, because of my "exceptional circumstances" that they had written off the outstanding amount. Fast forward to last week where i was sent a letter and expenditure form from a company called "Intrum" demanding payment for the same amount that was supposed to be written off by the car finance firm. What the hell is going on? I can't afford the amount they are demanding. This has put me back in a spin. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Brie

Do you have anything in writing to confirm what the finance company said? Paper or email?  

Have you checked your credit history to see if any debt is still listed?

Either way, don't phone or email Intrum.  You might write to them and simply ask them to prove you have a debt with them. Nothing more.  Do not suggest you owed money to anyone, at any time.  Do not give them an email address or phone number as this just makes it easier for them to harass you.

You might want to get assistance from one of the debt agencies, such as Stepchange, Nationaldebtline, CAB or CMA.  They should be able to help you and correspond on your behalf to take the pressure off.

born_again

How long ago was discharge?
As many companies will say written off, when they have not been able to claim back funds. But all that means is that they have sold onto a 3rd party.

Rather than as many think "Written Off" means.

Grumpelstiltskin

Firstly do not panic about the letter from these chancers.

Do not phone them under any circumstances.

You need to send them the prove it letter by snail mail


Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter — MoneySavingExpert Forum

sourcrates

As above, when delinquent debts are sold, it shows as been written off on the sellers systems, which is possibly why you where told what you were told, they were just repeating what their screen told them.

No need to panic, do as Grumpelstiltskin advises above, send the provit letter, a company cannot just demand payment from you without providing evidence of your liability.

If they are unable to provide any, then the matter ends there, if they do provide evidence, then you have a choice on what strategy to employ next.

No one expects you to pay the full amount in one go, a suitable payment arrangement can be agreed, depending on your budget and available disposable income, if you can`t afford to pay anything, then you write and tell them so, again, no one would expect you to pay a debt you cannot afford, and that includes a court.

So first things first, send the letter, see what response you get and then post back.