ACI / Intrum HSBC Debt

mister_g_love

Hi all,

After reading through threads here the last couple of weeks it seems ACI might have bought a bulk load of HSBC debts recently?!

I have lived in Northern Ireland for over ten years and have recently received the first and second letters from ACI, for an alleged £700+ debt for an HSBC account. They are threatening the Verify visit in the second letter.

I haven't even logged into the HSBC account online since at least 2014 at the very latest, and certainly have never received any communication about this (or any) outstanding debt.

As I live in NI can I use the usual stickied prove it letter for England and Wales ok? Could I even jump straight to SB letter as I know the debt is way over six years old?

What is the likelihood if I don't respond to ACI that they will actually take a CCJ out against me?

I have never had any debt or missed payment showing on my clear score report and have a good score and no issue getting credit cards, car lease etc over the years.

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

mister_g_love

I should also mention that I suspect this alleged debt would be for an overdraft which may have had charges against it which I was never aware of as opened a new account when I moved to NI as HSBC didn't operate here.

Brie

I would stick to a prove it letter.  No point saying you know anything about it if you're not even sure what it's about.  So no dates, no guesses about it might be an overdraft.  Just prove I owe anything.  

I've not heard of a Verify visit before but I would assume this is the usual debt agency hot air.  Should anyone show up ask again that they send you something to prove the debt and shut the door.  Or window.  Certainly never let anyone in.  HSBCE or ACI won't be sending actual bailiffs to take things away as they have no right to do so in my experience.

fatbelly

The prove-it is the safe option. See what comes back.

They may give you the information that shows it is statute barred but I wouldn't go straight in with that on an overdraft.

mister_g_love

Thank you for all the replies, much appreciated.

I have emailed off the prove it letter this morning and will see what comes back.

mister_g_love

Received a letter from Verify today threatening the visit - I will follow the advice of previous replies and simply tell anybody I have the misfortune of seeing face to face to write a letter to the address they're pursuing (unlikely as I don't answer my door to anybody anyway).

I was going to email and copy in ACI Complaints and recorded post the following, with a copy of my Prove It letter that was already sent last week, that they have ignored so far....

Anything else I should consider for now? Many thanks.

Dear [Debt Collection Company],
COMPLAINT

On dd/mm/yy I asked you to provide proof that I owed the alleged debt to xxxxxxx. I attach a copy of my letter.

The FCA rules are clear that ” Where there is a dispute as to the identity of the borrower or hirer or as to the amount of the debt, it is for the firm (and not the customer) to establish, as the case may be, that the customer is the correct person in relation to the debt or that the amount is the correct amount owed under the agreement.”

I do not owe this money. You have failed to produce any evidence that I do. If you do not cease contacting me about this debt I shall be complaining to the Financial Ombudsman.

[Please also delete the incorrect entries from my credit records.]

Your name

WhoIsJusticeBeaver

Hi, @mister_g_love, I have had an account default and sold to them just this week. I am now panicking about these Verify visits. Have you heard anything else? 

sourcrates

Never panic over some stupid debt collection company, they have no power to do anything.

Very few DCA actually still knock on doors, but some still do, they are no more worry that the postman would be.

Ignore them, film them, laugh at them, it doesn't matter what you do, leave them outside on the doorstep, just don`t discuss business matters with them, tell them as much, and ask them to leave.

Go about your day and never think of them again.

WhoIsJusticeBeaver

Thanks @sourcrates my mother now lives with us and it's the thought of her opening up the door to them that worries me but will have to cross that bridge when or if we come to it.