Hello I would really appreciate any advice.
My son was a student in holland and tbh it all went pear shaped mostly because he failed to get a student loan (different story:-(). As a result he ended up owing ABN AMRO Bank money. He is now back in uk and is unemployed (trying hard though). Anyway he tried to pay the bank a little each month but it wanted more than he got in benefits then they passed the debt on to this Blackstone crowd in the USA. They sent him a letter, he replied (before I had seen some of the threads on here) and they have sent this reply. The thing is his offer really is the VERY most we could get together and he is really worried about his credit reference. He doesn't want it to effect future employment.
How do you think he should answer their letter, there is no chance on this earth he has 1000! He is on £50 per week and has to eat.
Dear Mr G,
Thank you for speaking with me today regarding your outstanding ABN AMRO Bank NV HSBC Account, with reference number 57xxxxx. The amount due is €1,468.02 EUROS, with an exchange rate of 1.35000, which is $1,981.83 USD?
Monthly payments of €495.45 must be made on the full balance for 4 months to close the account in full. With these arrangements, “NO FEES OR INTEREST" will be applied to the balance if the payments are made on time. The first payment is due on November 21st.
Also, the Client is willing to settle for €1,190.00 EUROS to close the account in full. The payment is due on or before November 25th.
"IF THE PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 25TH, THE SETTLEMENT OFFER IS NULL AND VOID.”
The wire instructions are attached above for payment. Please send a copied receipt or a confirmation number to confirm when payment is made.
Please let me know if we can move forward, so I can advise the Attorney and Client immediately.
"WE ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO RENEW THIS OFFER.”
Thank you
ooooooo
Account Representative
Bluestone Recoveries International
4405 East-West Highway
Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814
USA
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To Blackstone
....
I write with reference to the money which you are claming on the above account.
I can confirm that I am unable to offer to pay the money which we owe in full. I am currently unemployed and on state benefits receiving sterling £50 per week, with little prospect of a change in circumstance.Therefore, I can only afford to make a payment of 5 usd per week. However, I can raise 510 USD and I want to offer this as an ex−gratia payment in full and final settlement of the account. This offer is made on the clear understanding that, if accepted, neither you nor any associate company will take any other action to enforce or pursue this debt in any way whatsoever and that we will be released for any liability.
This offer is being made by selling the little possessions I own and as a matter of courtesy I would like it noted that I am officially homeless and using the above address for mailing purposes.
We also request that, if accepted, you will make an entry on a credit reference agency file relating to the above account as "satisfied" in full.
Payment can be made within 2 weeks of receiving your written agreement of this offer and method of payment.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
23/11/2011
Dear Mr. G,
I just received an email from the client advising me of the following;
ABN AMRO Bank advise they will accept €1,000.00 EUROS to close the account in full. The payment is due on or before December 12th.
"IF THE PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 12TH, THE SETTLEMENT OFFER IS NULL AND VOID.”
The wire instructions are attached above for payment. Please send a copied receipt or a confirmation number to confirm when payment is made.
Please let me know your position, so I can reply back to the client with your response.
"WE ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO RENEW THIS OFFER.”
Sincerely,
ooooooo
Account Representative
Bluestone Recoveries International
4405 East-West Highway
Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814
USA
Thing is did Blackstone buy the debt or not? I am confused I think my son said the bank manager said they did!
As I said any advice welcome.