Aktiv Kapital (UK) - Who Are They?

Lolamac

Sorry if this has already been covered but can someone please help!

I owe money on a store card and the debt has been passed from GE Capital to Aktive Kapital. I was receiving about 15 calls a day from this bunch but needless to say i never answered their calls. I got a letter through the post offering me a huge reduction and i was just wondering if anyone had also had this offer and took them up on it. I dont want to pay them what they have offered and fall into a trap by them not writing off the rest of the debt which they state in their letter. Is this a con? Can somebody please help!!??

~Chameleon~

rog2 wrote: »

It is rare for these companies to use registered, or recorded, delivery as they don't like to pay the additional postage. You can always ask who the letter/parcel is from - this should be on the label if you go to 'collect' it - and, as far as I am aware, you have the right to 'refuse' to sign for it.

It wasn't anything to do with AK after all. Im just getting far too paranoid for my own good

~Chameleon~

Lolamac wrote: »

Sorry if this has already been covered but can someone please help!

I owe money on a store card and the debt has been passed from GE Capital to Aktive Kapital. I was receiving about 15 calls a day from this bunch but needless to say i never answered their calls. I got a letter through the post offering me a huge reduction and i was just wondering if anyone had also had this offer and took them up on it. I dont want to pay them what they have offered and fall into a trap by them not writing off the rest of the debt which they state in their letter. Is this a con? Can somebody please help!!??

How old is the debt and when did you last make any attempt to pay anything off it? This will make a difference to the advice you will be given.

Lolamac

Thanks for your reply
I took out the card in 2000 and ive not paid anything on it since 2007. I would have signed an agreement at the time of taking out the store card. I dont mind having to pay the small balance which they have requested as its a big discount. Im just worried that if i pay it they wont write the rest off like they say and im back to where i started.

GeorgeUK

Be careful - is this a full and final settlement they are offering or a partial settlement? The wording is important as it may mean you are just making a large one-off payment and the rest of the debt is still owed.

Can you type out exactly what they have said?

Lolamac

We're here to help you clear your account.
We understand it can be difficult to stay on top of your finances especially in the current climate.

A great offer for you - Save £****
We would like to offer you a massive discount.
We will give you a 70% discount on your remaining balance to help you pay your account off quickly.
That means you make a payment of £*** over the coming weeks and we clear the rest for you.

Call us free to take up this offer.
If you call us within 10 days of the date of this letter we will apply the discount for you. It is important that you clear your balance and this is a great way to do it.

When you've paid this account you may find it easier to obtain credit. So call us straight away and we'll run through the details with you.

Remember if you take up the offer you can settle your account for only £***.
If you do take up this offer we will also confirm the balance is cleared in a formal letter to you.

We look forward to helping you
Aktive Kapital

GeorgeUK

It sounds okay, but you need to get written confirmation before sending off any payment.

Have they provided a statement so you can see how much of the balance is charges that you may be able to claim back?

I would not call them, but write to them if you decide to accept their offer. State that you understand that the payment will be a full and final settlement of the account. This offer is made on the clear understanding that, if accepted, neither they or any associate company will take any other action to enforce or pursue this debt in any way whatsoever and that you will be released from any liability.

Send the letter by recorded delivery so that you have proof that they have received it.

~Chameleon~

Hang on a second! Does the letter say the company is called Aktive Kapital or Aktiv Kapital? (You've used Aktive twice now so inclined to think it's not a typo)

Can you tell us the address they're using please?

Just wondering if this is even a legitimate letter from AK!

Lolamac

Sorry about that - it is Aktiv Kapital.

None of the balance is for admin or interest charges, they have not added any on for the last two years or so since i last made payment.

Thanks for all your help.

rog2

Lolamac wrote: »

We're here to help you clear your account.
We understand it can be difficult to stay on top of your finances especially in the current climate.

A great offer for you - Save £****
We would like to offer you a massive discount.
We will give you a 70% discount on your remaining balance to help you pay your account off quickly.
That means you make a payment of £*** over the coming weeks and we clear the rest for you.

Call us free to take up this offer.
If you call us within 10 days of the date of this letter we will apply the discount for you. It is important that you clear your balance and this is a great way to do it.

When you've paid this account you may find it easier to obtain credit. So call us straight away and we'll run through the details with you.

Remember if you take up the offer you can settle your account for only £***.
If you do take up this offer we will also confirm the balance is cleared in a formal letter to you.

We look forward to helping you
Aktive Kapital

Sorry to 'contradict' George, but, in my opinion, this letter, whilst sounding attractive, is NOT okay.

Nowhere does it use the words 'Full and Final Settlement' and there 'could' be a risk that, in a few years time, AK, or another dca may pursue you for the 'balance'.

Before replying, Please read the following National Debtline factsheet on 'Full & Final Settlement Offers':

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=24_full_and_final_settlement_offers