Buchanan Clark + Wells PLC...

[Smokin Jo]

First timer, hi chaps and chapesses.

Just received a letter from BCW today, very surreal reading it whilst watching WatchDog .

Usual fare judging by other posts here. Debt from 5 years ago, AMEX this time, instructed by Arrow Global LLC. It was addressed to my wife in her maiden name. We moved about that time. Asking for £1,766.01.

To be honest we think this was cleared with other debts we had at the time. That was the reason for selling the house. But since things went from bad to worse we're going to find it pretty hard to get old statements from our (ex)banks or find any relevant documentation.

I've phoned them (mistake I know) and asked what the amount relates to. They have a 15 digit card number (is that right?) and that's about it.

I read somewhere about getting a Data Protection letter to them - is this worth it?

They also have a registered office address now at the bottom of the letter of 11 Elm Court, Arden Street, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6PA. Although reply address is still BCW House etc.

Also they seem to now be PLC - All the previous posts mentioned LTD.

Any help would be appreciated, I thought we'd seen the back of all this stuff.

Yours,

Smokin!

[Sparkie1723]

Smokin Jo,
Buchan Clark & Wells Ltd
These two you mention are both different companies, they are seperately registered at companies house and each seperate company HAS to hold its own licence, The Glasgow office is the one that isnt registered, the other one is.

In other words they,ve dropped a B&&&&&K.

Sparkie1723

[Smokin Jo]

Hi Sparkie, thanks for your swift response.

B&&&&K? lol

Been reading more threads and my letters more thoroughly. How does this sound?

From Arrow
Reference: AMEX, Account Number - (Nothing here at all)
Dear Smokin
Above acc has been assigned by AMEX to Arrow Global LLC on 18th Dec 2006.
This means Arrow Global LLC is now the owner of the above account.
Under the terms of sale and as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998 Arrow is now the data controller of your personal data contained in the records of this account.
You have a right to update your personal data, should you wish to do so contact Arrow.....
BCW Group PLC (Another name) has been appointed by Arrow to manage your account. All contact should be directed to BCW at 24 George Square....

does that all sound above board?

Cheers

[lookinforinfo]

BCW are still registered at Companies House as LTD. And listed by the Information Commissioners Office
as being registered in its other name of Avance group ltd as the PLC.
It would appear from Companies House and the Information Commissioners Office that they are two
separate companies, which would seem to differ from your experience.
It is possible that Arrow have changed from using BCW ltd to BCW Plc.

Just send them a CCA request with a £1 postal order. There is a letter you can copy in the General Debt section-you will find it at the bottom of the "sticky" subsection [by Barracad] and you want letter N. This will stop
BCW from chasing you until they have complied with your demand. If they
have not replied within the timescale, do not write and remind them.

Next get copies of your credit files and see what they show. And then get back to us.

[Smokin Jo]

Cheers

SJ

[Boobaby]

Originally Posted by Smokin Jo

Hi Sparkie, thanks for your swift response.

B&&&&K? lol

Been reading more threads and my letters more thoroughly. How does this sound?

From Arrow
Reference: AMEX, Account Number - (Nothing here at all)
Dear Smokin
Above acc has been assigned by AMEX to Arrow Global LLC on 18th Dec 2006.
This means Arrow Global LLC is now the owner of the above account.
Under the terms of sale and as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998 Arrow is now the data controller of your personal data contained in the records of this account.
You have a right to update your personal data, should you wish to do so contact Arrow.....
BCW Group PLC (Another name) has been appointed by Arrow to manage your account. All contact should be directed to BCW at 24 George Square....

does that all sound above board?

Cheers

Hi there
Just a couple of quick questions - dealing with these people myself - they are beyond belief!!!

1. Who is chasing you for the debt?
2. What is the debt and do you have any record at all?
3. What is Arrow's involvement as opposed to BC&W?

You need to send a CCA to both Arrow and BCW enclosing a £1 cheque or Postal order and using this format:


Buchanan Clark & Wells or Arrow

Dear Sir/Madam

ACCOUNT NUMBER: ********** Reference Number ****** re: AMEX?

I do not acknowledge ANY debt to your company. I require you to supply the following documentation before I will correspond further on this matter.

1. You must supply me with a true copy of the alleged agreement you refer to. This is my right under your obligation to supply a copy of the agreement under the legislation contained within s.78 (1) Consumer Credit Act 1974 (s.77 (1) for fixed sum credit) - your obligation also extends to providing a statement of account. I enclose a £1 Cheque in payment of the statutory fee and Data Protection Request. Cheque Number *******

2. A signed true copy of the deed of assignment of the above referenced agreement that you allege exists.

3. You are notified that you are obliged to supply these documents, whether you are the original creditor or not under S189 of the CCA 1974.

Non-compliance with my request is a criminal offence under the above Act and will result in a report being submitted to the relevant statutory authorities.

As you are aware, a credit agreement that is not properly documented and signed by the customer is totally unenforceable under the CCA and therefore is a complete defence to any court claim that is issued.

Take note at this stage, that any legal action you may contemplate will be both vigorously defended and contested.

I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours faithfully

Boo

[Smokin Jo]

Hi Boo!

It's tragic that we gave up everything to clear these debts, paid in full at the time (wish I came here back then), then something like this crops up and I'm sure we covered it.

Amex is the original debt for a credit card.
We received two letters in the same envelope - one from Arrow (see precis above) and a FORMAL DEMAND from BCW.

We don't have any of the paperwork because we thought it was all sorted. Our banks closed our accounts when we settled from the house proceeds. Nice eh? Will have to try and get statements from them from 5 years ago..... sheesh.

Thank you for the letter, very helpful, mine wasn't nearly so brutal.

Appreciated,

SJ

[Smokin Jo]

Originally Posted by lookinforinfo

BCW are still registered at Companies House as LTD. And listed by the Information Commissioners Office
as being registered in its other name of Avance group ltd as the PLC.
It would appear from Companies House and the Information Commissioners Office that they are two
separate companies, which would seem to differ from your experience.
It is possible that Arrow have changed from using BCW ltd to BCW Plc.

The letterheading is buchanan clark +wells
The reply address is bcw house, 24 george sq etc.
Reg no 03967099
Then it says a member of bcwgroupplc (relevant?)
It's signed - for and on behalf of Buchanan Clark & Wells
Finally registered office in Avon at bottom of page.

Hope this sheds some light.

SJ

Oh - and no address on the letter from Arrow Global LLC.......... So no writing to them then?

[KHMcBey]

Ah, BCW. I'm dealing with them right now. On average, they send about 3 letters a month threatening court action. Dream on, you loons...

[lookinforinfo]

Ah, right so it says BCW Group PLC, not Buchanan Clark & Wells PLC.

Both Buchanan Clark & Wells and the BCW Group PLC have their registered offices in George Square and both companies have changed their name to
the Avance Group ltd and their registered office is in Stratford On Avon.

Have you sent the CCA request yet?

[Smokin Jo]

Originally Posted by lookinforinfo

Have you sent the CCA request yet?

Not yet, wanted to make sure that I had the right company etc. first.

No mention anywhere of Avance........

Do I send the other letter too - the S.A.R - (Subject Access Request)?

SJ

[lookinforinfo]

Sorry Smokin Jo, I meant Arrow have their registered office in Stratford.
[BCW are part of the Avance Group].
i'd send the CCA to BCW only-they are the ones that Arrow are saying you
should deal with-so they are the ones you want to stop.

I wouldn't do an Subject Access Request yet. Wait and see how good Arrow are at getting the
agreement for BCW. But in the meantime, if you haven't already done so, get
a copy of your credit file from Experian for example and see what Amex are
showing on your file.

[Sparkie1723]

Sorry lookinorinfo,

I have to correct you
Only Buchanan Clark & Wells LTD
are registered at George Square. Glasgow.
This company is completely seperate from the BCWGroup Plc/Ltd.

And again I state this company is not registerd with the Information Commissioners Office.
Before they became a limited company they were in fact just Buchanan Clark & Wells who were owned by AVANCE group Ltd and used the AVANCE licence with the Information Commissioners Office to process data.

When they became a limited company a silly little person in Buchanan Clark & Wells did not register the Ltd company with the Information Commissioners Office BUT are using AVANCE licence at present and in doing so are committing a criminal offence. Licences from the Information Commissioners Office are not transferrable and cannot be used by another company thats why all the Banking Groups of comapnies such as Black Horse, Lloyds TSB RBOS etc etc have to have their own licences, even though they are in the same group.
All have to have their own licences, There is a difference in "sharing" information and actually processing it, thats why they all hav to have their own to process it and hold it.

You will see the details as per the pasting below. Sparkie 1723

Name & Registered Office:
BUCHANAN CLARK & WELLS LIMITED
24 GEORGE SQARE
GLASGOW
LANARKSHIRE
G2 1EG
Company No. SC223606

Previous Names HMS (404) LTD
This Company is not registered with the Information Commissioners Office
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Name & Registered Office:
BCW GROUP PLC
11 ELM COURT
ARDEN STREET
STRATFORD UPON AVON
WARWICKSHIRE CV37 6PA
Company No. 03967099

Previous Names:
BCW GROUP LIMITED
APEX CREDIT MANAGEMENT LIMITED
ANGLOPEN LTD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information Commissioners Office Registration Licence

Registration Number: Z4811295
Date Registered: 27 June 2000 Registration Expires: 26 June 2007

Data Controller: BCW GROUP PLC
Address:
11 ELM COURT
ARDEN STREET
STRATFORD UPON AVON
WARWICKSHIRE
CV37 6PA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


AVANCE GROUP LIMITED
UNIT 5 - 11 16 FARMELOAN ROAD
RUTHERGLEN
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
G73 1DL
Company No. SC085954

Previous Names

04/07/2006
BCW GROUP LIMITED
03/07/2006
BCW GROUP PLC
12/06/2001
BUCHANAN CLARK & WELLS PLC


Registration Number: Z6481590
Date Registered: 01 March 2002 Registration Expires: 28 February 2007

Data Controller: AVANCE GROUP LIMITED
Address:
16 FARMELOAN ROAD
RUTHERGLEN
G73 1DL

Other Names Buchanan Clark & Wells
NOTE NOT LIMITED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[gavv8]

If you google bcw or buchanen clarke & wells they come up with the same address and all my letters from them are headed buchanan clarke & wells but the direct debit i had with them said bcw group plc???
I think they are one and the same.