Lowell Group - removing defaults?

[MrsElbadram]

Not sure where to start with this one.

 

 

After a period of terrible financial decisions (or more aptly completely ignoring financial issues)

after the breakdown of my marriage,

I am now trying to tackle my financial situation head on and trying to fix my credit record.

 

I have 3 defaults showing on my account, all to Lowell Group.

 

One is for a debt of £1900 for JD Williams catalogue in 2008.

I opened and account and my ex-husband bought a ton of stuff on my account,

and like many of his debts to me, didn’t pay it.

 

 

I had contacted JD Williams back in 2008/9 to explain and try and arrange a repayment plan,

however they were unhelpful and it was passed to various DCA’s

who I have ignored for years (not wise I know)

and it’s been sat with Lowell for some years.

 

 

From time to time they send fishing letters to my current address in my previous name,

telling me how understanding they are and asking me to pay a reduced rate.

I have so far ignored these too.

They recorded a default on my credit record in Jan 2012 (not sure why so long later).

 

The other 2 are for a mobile phone with Orange,

where I cancelled my contract but they disputed I was out of the repayment term

and charged me a whacking great amount.

 

 

I went back and forth for a while then gave up and avoided the DCA letters ever since (2009).

 

 

The last was for a credit card with Capital One, which I defaulted on

– all my own stupid fault.

 

I know I can’t ignore them forever as I really want these defaults off my accounts

and to be in a position to apply for a mortgage in 3/4 years.

 

Please can you give me some advice on how best to approach Lowell.

 

 

I’m aware I’ll have to pay the money back,

but do you think there is a way to come to a settlement with them where they’d remove the defaults

if I can arrange to pay?

Or is there any way to question if the defaults have been added correctly?

 

Thanks in advance!

[renegadeimp]

Dont be so quick to say youll have to pay it back. By your info, they could be full of unfair charges and also be Statute barred. Lowell are one of the biggest fleecers so dont be too quick to believe them.

[fkofilee]

Good Evening Elbadram and welcome to CAG.

 

First off, do not worry about Lowell.

The defaults will remain for 6 years, no less, unless Lowell remove them as part of a repayment plan etc (or the account was disputed etc and its found in your favour)

 

For some hope to you, I had 7 Defaults and £3000 written off from Lowell because they had failed to use Due Diligence when purchasing the accounts.

 

First off lets look at the financial elements here. JD Williams will be stacked full of charges. There is no doubt about it. Do you have any letters that you sent to JD Williams? Also send a CCA Request to Lowell to check they have a legal right to collect said Debt...

Capital One. Same here... Most probably has default charges.

 

Potentially reclaimable - But needs some work. Once again, send a CCA Request to Lowell to check they have the legal right to collect said debt. (Itll be the best £2 youve spent ever!!!! Trust me!!)

 

Orange... Can i have some more info? Whats the deal with this one?

[dx100uk]

i'd question kicking pram wheels here

bottom line is its very very rare to get defaults removed

paying anything certainly will not help.

 

 

the defaults would have been placed by the original creditors

 

 

if they were placed 'late' then a complaint rto them might be the better route

but we need more info

[MrsElbadram]

Thank you for the replies.

 

 

I strongly suspect the JD Williams is statute barred but I don't know how to prove it?

 

 

I don't have any correspondence to or from JD Williams,

I've ignored them for years and they've pretty much left me be except for the odd letter,

but I'm trying to be responsible and sort it all out so they can't keep their horrible hold over me,

my husband (not the ex I mentioned) has never had a late payment in his life

and hates the bad credit hanging over us - we can't currently get a mortgage because of my history.

 

I'm not sure what other info to give?

I don't know the amounts I originally owed and what charges have been added on etc.

The JD Williams default I'm sure must've been done by a DCA though as they didn't wait 4 years to sell the debt on!

Thinking if I can get them to change the date they'll have to take it off as it will be over 6 years now?

 

Orange

- I had a mobile contract with them; had my phone snatched on holiday,

they mucked up the bar and let a few hundred pounds get run up on it after I'd reported it.

I complained, they refused to remove the charges so I said I wanted to cancel my account

t and they sent me a final bill for nearly £1000 including the cost of these run up calls and the handset.

 

 

I disputed, went backwards and forwards a few times and then I ignored the bill

(really furious with my irresponsible self now).

Picked up by Lowell and again I get the odd letter to me trying to confirm ID or offering me reduce payments.

 

I'll start with the CCA requests, thanks for a good starting point.

 

I know some will think it's better to let sleeping dogs lie but I've been really poor with finances

and I just want to get some control back.

Even their quarterly fishing letters are disconcerting.

[dx100uk]

well you don't pay any fleecing dca's that for sure

as all it will do is fund their operations

because that's why you've got these letters

people blindly pay and the dca's are funded to harass others on a debt that was written off or disputed years ago.

 

 

pers i'd be sending JDW an SAR.

 

 

then decide which way to go from that info and our help.

 

 

as for the orange one - they shouldn't have donr that, and today., they'd not do that either if it happened.

you were not responsible for what a theif ran up and you should nt be held responsible for oranges lacking in protecting you at that time.

 

 

p'haps a strongly worded letter to the CEO is in order.

 

 

again I say I would not kick DCA pram wheels at this stage

they are not bailiffs.