Lowell - chasing debts that I don’t recognise

Ossyref

Hi all,

I could do with some advice.

Lowell are emailing, writing and calling about 2 debts that they say that I owe.

I have no recollection of these debts and have asked them, formally, to prove that the debts belong to me.

They say that the debts were assigned to them by Hoist.

Again I have re-iterated that I have no knowledge of them and another debt collection firm saying that I do is not evidence. 

I have asked them to provide signed contracts which show that these debts are mine.

How do I get this resolved?

Brie

Sounds like you've done the essential thing - ask them for proof of the debts.  This may include proof of Hoist assigning the debts to Lowell's as well as someone else assigning them to Hoist and the original creditor assigning them to Hoist as well as proof of the original credit agreement with whomever.  If there's significantly less than that I think you can wave them bye-bye.  

Good to check your credit report too just in case there's a clue there.

Once you know where the debts originated then you can decide what your next action should be.  Possibly these are not yours or they are from so long ago you can tell them they are statute barred due to their age.  

It will take time to get this sorted as you should always be dealing with these people by snail mail, not giving them easy access via a phone number or email address.  And once it's sorted it may come back to nip at you again if they sell the debt on to someone else.  

Grumpelstiltskin

Have you sent the Provit letter by snail mail?

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

Then block their numbers delete their e mails and wait until you get a reply by snail mail ( if they reply )

RAS

If you search you will find a lot of recent threads regarding Lowell and very old debts. It may be that they bought a load of junk debts for a pittance and are hoping to get few people to cough up and make a profit. 

Those about which people think that know anything are generally statute barred but it's better to send the "prove it" letter. By the way, debts not acknowledged in 6 years England and Wales are "statute barred." A different part of the Act covers CCJs not enforced for 6 years.

sourcrates

You have asked them to prove your liability, they will attempt to do so.

If they can produce credit agreements, in your name, then you its up to you to deal with it, if they can`t, it ends there.

There is no requirement for a signature on a copy credit agreement.

Ossyref

Thanks all. So far they have been unable to provide agreements. Just a date of a notice of assignment from Hoist.

I’ve checked my credit report and neither of the supposed debts appear on there either. 

sourcrates

Then until, or unless they do, the debts are unenforceable.

Sea_Shell

My experience of Lowells.  

I received what could be described as a fishing letter from Lowells back in November 18, saying "information suggests you are our customer".  It named me.

I ignored it.

Then about 3 weeks later, I got another letter with the details of the alleged debt, with a statement, for £4300.    I knew it was not mine.   

I immediately then sent a "prove it" letter, with proof of postage.  

They replied within 10 days, saying that they are "undertaking an investigation".       Never heard anything more from them, by letter.

I did receive a barrage of text messages, which I deleted, unread.   These came every months for a couple of years, and stopped in Oct 20.    I got one more random one in June 23, and then nothing.    

I've kept the paperwork, just in case, but hopefully that will be the end of it.

Ossyref

So I’ve had a reply to my “prove it” letter and Lowell have said “ Due to the age of the accounts we are unable to provide documents. As your accounts have been legally assigned to us, we do not need all the documents that you have asked for.

If you wish to dispute the accounts, we ask that you provide us with the full details of your dispute and any supporting documentation as evidence of your dispute so that we can investigate this matter for you”

Has any do ever had this before?

How do I provide evidence that I don’t know what these debts are?

stu12345_2

then the second reply shall be written to them , as the onus on them supplying proof , not you 

RAS

Let's put it politely.

Lowell know they have a legal duty to provide evidence of your liability for any debt they claim you owe. They can read the FCA guideline as easily as you or me.  They can't provide evidence, so they need to acknowledge that and go away. 

Hopefully this letter is from someone in desperate need of retraining rather than a new one installed on their computer.

Send a letter telling them that they are flouting FCA collection guidelines and confirming that one more squeak will result in a formal complaint.

And complain, about their harassment, and blatant untruths.