Lantern Debt Purchaser/Collector

GeekieGirlie

My Bamboo loans defaulted and sold to Lantern and they have emailed to ask me to call today or within 5 days to sort payment plan. 

Do I now call them and tell them what I can pay? 

Any ideas what they will also ask? I’ve never heard of them. 

I don’t have any bank details off them telling where to pay just this email saying who are and to ring them. So I want to get my plan set up but also want to make sure I do it the right way. 

Brie

I wouldn't call them.  I would write to them and ask for them to send you proof they have the debt.  Basically the proveit letter on one of the top stickies.  I wouldn't want to receive account information to pay to in any way other than on paper to ensure they have given you the right details.  No point in paying anything to a wrong account!!

I wouldn't be giving them your phone number or any other information and I would tell them to erase all methods of contact from their systems other than your home address.  

All this will give you time to put together your budget(assuming you haven't already) using the SOA (see my signature below for link) to ensure you aren't making promises you can't keep.  Post the SOA back here if you want to ensure it is ok - we'll help you tweak it.   

Grumpelstiltskin

Never phone these people.

Have you requested CCAs?

Have you done affordability complaints?

If you are happy and do decide to make payments make sure you pay the the correct amount ( you need to work out what % of your total debts they are, what total you afford to pay so make sure they get their proper %.)

As Brie says you need details in writing from them.

If you don't contact them then you could get a threatening text or E Mail, usually that  they will send a door knocker, don't worry just ignore them.

Rob5342

They give their bank details on their website:

https://lanternuk.com/how-to-repay/repayment-plan/

I'd just set uo whatever payment you can afford to that account, send them an email to say what you'll be paying them and leave it at that. 

CCA requests can be a good idea but I'd wait until it has been with them for a year or so first. 

sourcrates

Lantern Debt Purchasing company, formally known as "Motormile finance" possibly the worst debt collection company on the planet back in the day.

They along with 1st Credit were the subject of an FCA investigation a few years back, long story short, they were heavily fined, ordered to make a root and branch re-organisation of their company, new management, better training for staff, etc etc, and a new name to boot.

As leopards tend not to change their spots very often, when dealing with them, do everything in writing, keep these vultures at arms length, don`t tell them anything they do not need to know, and never ever phone them under any circumstances.

I would wait until they can be bothered to write to you, you don`t have to respond to texts, or anything else that is not a letter, then ask for proof of debt (in writing) if they manage that, then discuss payment plans.

GeekieGirlie

Brie said:

I wouldn't call them.  I would write to them and ask for them to send you proof they have the debt.  Basically the proveit letter on one of the top stickies.  I wouldn't want to receive account information to pay to in any way other than on paper to ensure they have given you the right details.  No point in paying anything to a wrong account!!

I wouldn't be giving them your phone number or any other information and I would tell them to erase all methods of contact from their systems other than your home address.  

All this will give you time to put together your budget(assuming you haven't already) using the SOA (see my signature below for link) to ensure you aren't making promises you can't keep.  Post the SOA back here if you want to ensure it is ok - we'll help you tweak it.   

Great thank you yes I have an idea of my budget. I just need to check it and then I see I can just go online to sort so may use that option when do it.

GeekieGirlie

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Never phone these people.

Have you requested CCAs?

Have you done affordability complaints?

If you are happy and do decide to make payments make sure you pay the the correct amount ( you need to work out what % of your total debts they are, what total you afford to pay so make sure they get their proper %.)

As Brie says you need details in writing from them.

If you don't contact them then you could get a threatening text or E Mail, usually that  they will send a door knocker, don't worry just ignore them.

Thank you. Can I do an affordability complaint to bamboo even though they’ve sold it on now? 

Lantern quoted the correct amount and company so guessing they have the details but I’ll ask for them. 

When I come to pay them can I pay all my debts the same amount or does it have to be by %? I’d planned on paying all same amount if could. 

GeekieGirlie

Rob5342 said:

They give their bank details on their website:

https://lanternuk.com/how-to-repay/repayment-plan/

I'd just set uo whatever payment you can afford to that account, send them an email to say what you'll be paying them and leave it at that. 

CCA requests can be a good idea but I'd wait until it has been with them for a year or so first. 

Thank you I’d not seen that at first. Have their standing order details on there too which is good. Expected a battle to get those. 

GeekieGirlie

sourcrates said:

Lantern Debt Purchasing company, formally known as "Motormile finance" possibly the worst debt collection company on the planet back in the day.

They along with 1st Credit were the subject of an FCA investigation a few years back, long story short, they were heavily fined, ordered to make a root and branch re-organisation of their company, new management, better training for staff, etc etc, and a new name to boot.

As leopards tend not to change their spots very often, when dealing with them, do everything in writing, keep these vultures at arms length, don`t tell them anything they do not need to know, and never ever phone them under any circumstances.

I would wait until they can be bothered to write to you, you don`t have to respond to texts, or anything else that is not a letter, then ask for proof of debt (in writing) if they manage that, then discuss payment plans.

Ok will not call. Thank you. 

Yeah their email did seem rather urgent. Hopefully they won’t get too nasty along the way and all will be ok. 

ManyWays

Can I do an affordability complaint to bamboo even though they’ve sold it on now? 

Yes, if you win, direct or (more likely) at the Ombudsman then Bamboo will sort out the debt with Lantern

GeekieGirlie

I’ve just noticed they had attached a letter/notice from bamboo saying they have passed it on them and to stop all payments to bamboo and make them to lantern instead. Would that be acceptable proof in writing from them? I’ve never received this letter in the post (not yet anyway and had tomorrows date on) but all the figures and acct details are right