Help Wanted with Debts

[PINGUTHEPENGUIN]

Hi everyone, I am sorry if this is in the wrong section. I have never started a thread before, and dont normally use forums. However I was wondering if someone could help answer my question.

I am wondering if ge capital bank and capital one are owned by the same people or are capital one and 'Debt Managers ltd' owned by the same people? As it appears that capital one or the credit ref agency have given Topshop debt collectors (Debt Managers Ltd) my new address. I now have a 'urgent final demand' from client Aktiv Kapital FI Topshop-Poweroption' (assume that prolonged name was my topshop card, and a string of debt collectors who have passed the debt between them).

Also do you know if I apply for my credit reference file with the credit agencies, will they share my address with anyone that looks at my file? I really want to find out what I owe and make arrangements to pay them in installments, but I am worried sick they are all going to start banging on the door wanting money at the same time. yet I dont know what I owe, till I get my credit file. I have been on the electoral register for 2 years, so wonder why they havent started contacting me sooner.

If anyone is wondering, I applied for a (extortionate interest card) capital one card in a moment of craziness a month ago, as I thought I could start rebuilding my credit rating with it. In fact it is the first time I remember applying for credit in the past 4 yrs that I remember. I have let fear get the better of me for years with this and I am really worried about this. I wish I'd dealt with this years ago.

Thanks

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site.
I am moving your thread into the debt forums,where you will get answers to all of the questions you raise here.

I suggest that you contact all three credit reference agencies Experian Equifax and Mycal credit will cost 2.00 each for a copy of your file.
They may ask foe proof of identity.
Once you have these you can then see who owns the debts and recorded the defaults.
You will be given contact details of the people you need to deal with.
You then have the option of sending an application under the Consumer credit act to the Debt owners /DCAs for details which will confirm that the debts are rightfully theirs and whether they are legally enforceable.
In the short term you should not acknowledge any debt collectors communications until you are sure that you owe them money.In doing so you could set off any new 6 year cycle.
I am sure others will add to this here.

[dx100uk]

i would be inclined to CCA request anyone you think you have a debt with.
that will tell you two things:
1 how much the debt is.
2. if they really do have authority to collect it from you.

it might well be that you are getting close to the 6yrs statute barring on some of your debts? [if you've done nowt for 4yrs, cant be far off].

as for lots of people banging on your door.
unless you have any CCJ's against you [another good reason for you getting CRA printout] then no it wont happen.
DCA's are not bailiffs, they cant just turn-up and demand payment [well they shouldn't, cause they have no legal powers]

keep us updated and dont worry
we're all here to help.

dx100uk

[powelll]

Originally Posted by PINGUTHEPENGUIN

Also do you know if I apply for my credit reference file with the credit agencies, will they share my address with anyone that looks at my file?

It will depend if the creditors concerned subscribe to the GAIN ( Gone Away Information Network ) with the relevant cred ref agencies. If they do then they will be advised of any new address. This may not be the worst thing in the world as remember that if any of your creditors were to take county court action against you the papers are deemed to have been served if they are posted to your last known address; they don't even have to be recorded delivery. So in the future there may be CCJs obtained without you knowing about them so not having the chance to defend the claim or make an offer of payment.

You may want to speak to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 for free confidential independent advice on your whole situation as well...

Best of luck

[PINGUTHEPENGUIN]

Thank you Martin, Powell and DX300. It is really nice to hear some friendly voices, after sitting in my flat with the curtains closed, dreaming up ways to save my most precious possessions from the hands of the bailiffs and not making a sound for days.

Unfortunatly I know I have quite a few ccjs but you are all correct in pointing out it may be verging on the 6 year statutary limitations act, It will be about 6 months on either side, I know the last time I used that stupid topshop card was in July 2000, but then I was trying to pay it off for some time and even got a debt management company involved at one time (yes that was another stupid idea). All this trouble for some clothes that were probably made by slave labour in some sweatshop for pennies. I am not a fan of capitalism at the moment. Well I have lived and learnt I suppose.

Thanks again for the advice, I will get my credit report and hope for the best.

[dx100uk]

the ccj's will be the problem though.
it makes any debt still enforceable even after 6yrs.

though i'm suprised your not saying you have had hassle from bailiffs over these as they should have easily caught up with you by now.

i'd get that cra pdq.

lets have a look at exactly what cards we're playing with first here.

dx100uk

[make them aktiv runners]

Debt Managers and Aktiv Kapital appear to be the same, they often forget to change the telephone number on their letters.

Aktiv also use Capital One to try to get people to obtain credit.

[PINGUTHEPENGUIN]

Interesting 'make them aktiv runners' (like the name by the way), well it does seem like that is where they may have got the address from. Hmmm.

Yes dx100 I am still going to risk it and get that credit report thing now, I was going to do it last night but thought I wouldnt be able to sleep if I knew the true enormity of the debts, however I didn't sleep much anyway. This has made me into a right worrier . 8 Yrs of worry compounded. Thanks both of you will let you know how it goes.

[PINGUTHEPENGUIN]

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies.

I have just got one file back from equifax and awaiting a pin from experian, well at least thats what they have told me., and although I am trying not to keep my expectations down, because experian could hold the nasty stuff, I am completely flabbargasted by the equifax report.

It only mentioned one search and apart from a minor problem with the way my current address is wrote in the electoral register/postal service etc the score is a few points away from being 'good', in fact there are no debts, defaults or ccjs showing. however I think this is because they have not linked up my old address with the 2 after it (where I got the debt).

I now have to pray that experian shows a similar story, however I have just looked at the Martin Lewis site that sequenci on a different thread I started recommended and I do see that experian really are the major credit reference agency, so things could still be bad. I have felt like a bit of the weight has lifted off my shoulders, but still worried. Thanks very much for the advice, I will keep you informed.