Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice on how best to deal with a letter I have received?

The letter seems ambiguous and doesn't state if they have had the debt sold on to them or acting on behalf, nor does it include any reference the original debt/account numbers.

I do owe this debt however have had a bad run of things lately and became unable to keep up with the contract,

the original creditor wasn't interested in my situation (when are they ever?), this is the first time I have received a letter from a DCA in regards to the debt;

*MY NAME AND ADDRESS*

*DATE OF LETTER*

Dear XX XX

*CREDITOR NAME*

Debt: £*DEBT AMOUNT*

Reason: Unpaid loan

We refer to our client's outstanding debt and ask that you contact us within the next fourteen days to discuss this matter.

If you are unable to pay this amount in full please contact us within this period of time as it may be possible to arrange a mutually acceptable repayment programme to clear the debt.

Cheque or postal orders should be made payable to Scott and Mears and sent direct to this office. We are also able to acept card payment by telephone, full details of payment methods are shown overleaf.

If you need any debt advice, listed overleaf are organisations that will help you free of charge.

Yours sincerely

*illegible scribble*

Collections Department

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?472353-47K-Unsecured-debt-advice&p=4974310#post4974310

Given info in previous thread stating a few different debts, then you can't really deal with such a fishing letter from a DCA. You have not had a letter from the original creditor stating that they had assigned the debt to Scott&Mears.

You should seek specific advice regarding the debt and your circumstances, just to make sure risk can be limited as much as possible. Perhaps you should be dealing with original creditors to avoid insolvency proceedings at some stage.

what is the debt and to whom?

what is the debt and to whom?

Unsecured loan with a balance of 24k to Ratesetter

when did you take it out?

when did you last pay anyone

Loan was taken out February 2016, last payment was November or December 2016.

Hi there,

I'm about to be in a similar position to yourself - after getting nowhere with explaining our circumstances with the lenders and having to get to a position where we simply cannot afford to make all the non-priority debt payments.

First things first, have you sent a CCA request? I'm definitely no expert but its worth checking whether the debt is enforceable or not (even though its recent you never know) - also, did you receive a default notice before this letter from the debt collection agency?

Hi thanks, nice to see I'm not the only one. All of my creditors were very sympathetic to my situation and allowed me to come to an arrangement with them which is going well. All but this one which the creditor kindly ignored my letters and continued to chase the arrears. As it happens this is the largest and most worrying debt for me as we have a baby on the way.

I haven't sent a CCA Request yet as I only just received the letter today. I did get notified that my account was in default and if I did not pay it in full within a week or two (can't remember the exact time frame) then it "may" be passed on to their debt collectors. There has been no official statement that it has been sold or passed on, just the wolves sending the ambiguous letter.

Hi thanks, nice to see I'm not the only one. All of my creditors were very sympathetic to my situation and allowed me to come to an arrangement with them which is going well. All but this one which the creditor kindly ignored my letters and continued to chase the arrears. As it happens this is the largest and most worrying debt for me as we have a baby on the way.

 

I haven't sent a CCA Request yet as I only just received the letter today. I did get notified that my account was in default and if I did not pay it in full within a week or two (can't remember the exact time frame) then it "may" be passed on to their debt collectors. There has been no official statement that it has been sold or passed on, just the wolves sending the ambiguous letter.

Given the recent dates your various accounts were taken out, there is little point in sending CCA requests. Creditors can pretty much send anything resembling a CCA to comply with the request. It is a bit different if CCA's were originally taken out before April 2007 and therefore prior to a change in the Consumer Credit Act. For pre April 2007 accounts, creditors would need an original copy of the CCA you took out.

As i commented earlier, given the amounts of debts owed, you should be getting specific advice about these debts and because the advice will need to delve into your private finances, it should be obtained confidentially. At some stage, if you own any property assets, i would expect creditors to first gain court judgements and then if necessary go for insolvency, which might involve forced sale of any property. Once you get to that position, the various fees added will take a huge chunk out of any equity in property you have. Get the advice ASAP, rather than try to deal with it yourself, as you could end up down a slippery slope quicker than you might think.