NHL/Paragon/LOM

Mitey_2

Hi I'm new,

Not sure I'm in the right place but I was hoping for some advice.

I defaulted a mortgage and ended up having my home repossessed about 14 years ago. In 2004 a debt collecting agency (JDL Holdings of Benfleet) made contact and we agreed a full and final settlement to release me from all personal liability. This was paid before the end of that year within the offerred date.

Now, three years later, they are trying to claim that I still owe them money.

The mortgage was originally with

National Home Loans (NHL)
St. Catherine's Court
Herbert Road
Solihull
B91 3QE

http://www.simplycreditreports.com/listings/Nh-4.html lists a dozen or so companies of similar name at this address. JDL claimed to be acting for the Paragon Group of Companies who apparently are the same people as NHL. The same website has forest of Paragons in St. Catherine's Court, all separately registered.

I am now receiving letters from LOM Limited. The registration number they give at the bottom of their page belongs to LOM Recoveries Ltd. however. They again have the same address as the registered office. (There is an LOM in the Bahama's who may be related.)

When the money was sent to JDL in Dec 2004 I advised Paragon. Paragon next wrote in late March 2005 as if they had not received any money so I advised them to speak to JDL as the matter was settled. JDL had not responded either but I asked for an acknowledgement which eventually came early April 2004. (Crossing with the letter from Paragon.)

I've sent photocopied proof of the monies sent and still I'm getting letters from LOM demanding money. Anyone any advice on where I should go from here?

Many Thanks
Mitey

sdooley

Whatever you do don't admit anything. If you have an outstanding debt it is for them to prove. If you hint that you may owe anything they will take that as an acknowledgment of the debt and use that as a stick to beat you with.

If the sum is substantial, consider legal advice, if you are completely broke you should get a meeting & letter of advice paid for on legal aid.

Mitey_2

Thank you SDooley

I was told to always put "Without Prejudice" at the top of every letter (bold and coloured so they cannot say they have missed it) and then to disclaim liability in the heading after Dear Sir or whatever.

I put everything by letter (recorded or special delivery) and have kept copies of all correspondence.

I was wondering about making official complaint to the Office of Fair Trading, Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Authority - or all of them at once - but they all say that they cannot help in individual cases. The FOS will however contact the company on an individual's behalf to ask them to provide the name of the person to whom I should make official complaint. Maybe that is the way to go.

Thanks again
Mitey

silvercar

The council of Mortgage Lenders agreed in 2001 not to chase unacknowledged debts after 6 years. So chances are that they shouldn't have chased you in 2004. To come after you for a second bite of the cherry now is outrageous.

Either send them a copy of the full and final agreement or, if it all looks like they haven't confirmed acceptance that the settlement was F&F, ignore them.

Eventually they will crawl back under their stone.

Mitey_2

Many Thanks Silvercar

The 6 year rule I found confusing. It seems there are 2 rules one for 6 years and one for 12. I sent them a Subject Access Rights Notification (SARN) which forces them to send a copy of all documentation - paper and electronic, provided that you word it correctly and specify everything. It took Paragon a few weeks but they did comply. Amongst it was a letter admitting the debt which had been stamped as just inside the 12 years at the time JDL made contact. So I decided to settle. It seemed the cleanest option. Maybe I made a mistake there.

Thanks again anyhow
Mitey