Lowell for debt default date 31/3/20, what next?

flamingo747

Hi, I need advice please.

I have one debt, a credit card originally with Aqua. Credit Karma says default date 31/3/20. I had spoken to them in 2019 about struggling to pay and my anxiety, and I didn't hear anything at first, then it was sent to MoorGroup in Autumn 2019. I told them about the anxiety and looking into a DRO, the account was sent back to Aqua. I had no contact from early 2020 until just before Xmas 2024 when they had sold it to Lowell.

There is about £6.5k on the account, which is marked as closed. Lowell are threatening to seek a ccj if I don't make contact. I haven't had the Letter Before Action that I have to fill in yet, just lots of "Please get in touch, we will speak to a solicitor if not"

I struggle to manage my finances, my husband has had to take over household finances because I am so disorganised and impulsive. This is my only debt (except about £9k in student loan). I recently got diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. I do not work as I am a carer for my Autistic son who is almost 13. I get carers allowance, he gets DLA. My husband works full time just above minimum wage. We get universal credit. We privately rent, neither of our vehicles is in my name.

I have buried my head hoping that it would just hit the six years since last contact/last payment/default (whichever counts) and it would go away. I have a previous bankruptcy in 2009 for a failed business. 

I can't afford to clear this debt when I only get benefits. Should I look at a DRO? Should I try offering a full and final settlement if I borrow from my husband? Is there anything I can do to let the time run out, or extra help I can get to be rid of it because of my ADHD? It was so long ago that I thought it would just be written off.

Thank you for any help, I'm sorry it's so long

sourcrates

Just tell Lowell what you have told us, send it in a letter, and that will remove the threat of legal action.

Ignoring them in this situation is not advisable when you can get them off your back.

Explain why you can`t pay, and they may look at writing the debt off, or at least putting a hold on collection activity.

Brie

I agree with sourcrates about sending a letter.  I would suggest that you do not admit to the debt but say something like "You say I owe this amount but due to my financial situation I am unable to make any payments.  furthermore due to my ADHD and autism I am unlikely to have more funds in the future."

I've been told that admitting the debt resets the clock on the default becoming statute barred.  So don't agree that you owe it and don't agree to make even token payments.  

Hopefully they will back off and you won't hear from them again.  

fatbelly

Yes the phrase is 'alleged debt'