Lowell threatening with 4 months until statute barred

redparrot69 · 23 March at 4:02PM

I defaulted on a credit card in July 2020. Lowell have bought the debt and have been ringing, texting and sending letters.
Today I got a letter saying if I don’t get in touch by 1st April they will send a field agent to my address.
How likely is it that they’ll do this with 4 months until it’s statue barred please?

What is my best course of action?

sourcrates · 23 March at 4:17PM

The old "field agent" trick, what is a field agent? something to do with agriculture perhaps??

It will be either one of our old chums from Verify/Resolvecall or other contact agency.

Nothing to fret about, just a normal member of the public doing a job, that`s all, similar status to the postman, nothing that special, no dis-respect to postmen lol.

Chances are all you`ll get is a card through the letterbox, if they do call when your at home, and you choose to speak to them, they will simply say you have a "personal matter" to deal with, and give you Lowell`s details.

Of course you are under no obligation to speak to them, in fact its best to just say "no thanks" and close the door, don`t get into protracted conversation with them, they play no real part in this pantomime whatsoever, and are just a 3rd party interloper, so treat as such.

As for Lowell, they have 4 months in which to start legal action, you must ensure you do not pay or acknowledge the debt in writing, unless they start legal action. I have some thoughts on what you can do, but see what others suggest first.

Grumpelstiltskin · 23 March at 4:18PM

Whatever you do don't contact them, if they do send a door knocker, they are just like double glazing sales people either ignore them or say not today thank you and shut the door.

If you are lucky you can drag it out until it is statute bared.

redparrot69 · 23 March at 4:23PM

I’ve got until the 31st July.
Two weeks ago they sent a 50% reduction letter

redparrot69 · 23 March at 5:14PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934296#Comment_81934296

will they send a bailiff? Or someone with any powers?

Grumpelstiltskin · 23 March at 5:21PM

No bailiffs are not for civil debts, and no they have as much power as next door's cat, as I have said they are only door knockers who hope you will be frightened into paying something, don't fall for it.

Brie · 23 March at 5:48PM

And if someone does come knocking certainly don't let them in the house. Not that they can do anything really but it's so much harder to get them to leave if they are in where it's warm and dry. And no they cannot use the loo.

redparrot69 · 23 March at 5:54PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934398#Comment_81934398

thank you

Rob5342 · 23 March at 5:57PM

Make you you understand the difference between bailiffs and debt collectors. A bailiff can't collect a debt unless there has been a court process, they can send a field agent if they wish but they'd have no more power than a jehovahs witness. They know a lot of people don't know the difference and take advantage of that to try and scare people into paying.

https://debtcamel.co.uk/bailiffs-dont-open-door/