Hi, I've been paying Lloyds TSB a regular set amount via payment book every month for well over a year, possibly two.

Recently ( 2 months ago ) I made a payment ( which is always made via my local Lloyds TSB branch ) and I enclosed a letter requesting a new payment book be sent to me as that payment was the last slip in the current book, ( so giving them a month to get one to me so I could continue as normal )

2 months pass and still no payment book, I start to think maybe they've just scrapped the account, but then get a letter from them ( which was forwarded to me via a letter from my local C.A.B as TSB had sent them it, as my C.A.B had previously been dealing with the account ) requesting the 2 months missed payments. I wrote back to TSB again asking for a new payment book so that I can make the payments, and finally three weeks later a new book arrives.

On the very next day, I make a payment which included the two missed months plus this months payment.

Then... a few days ago, I get a letter from Credit Security Limited, The Old Court House, High Street, Whitchurch, Bucks, HP22 4JS

saying they've been instructed by their client to recover the outstanding debt; going on to say that unless there was a valid reason for non payment, then the full outstanding balance was due within seven days.

That's a bit rich!....... how can Lloyds TSB cause the delay in payment ( by not sending a payment book when requested in good time ), then use that as an excuse to farm out the account to a debt enforcement office? That smacks of rule breaking to me or guidance breaking at a minimum.

Also rather cheekily the CSL letter is dated 25th May , I get it 28th May, and there's this whole jubilee thing going on so extra bank holidays etc that conviently fall into their 7 day request.

What should I do ?

My next payment to Lloyds TSB using the new payment book is due in a couple of weeks.

Keep on making your normal payments. Don't stop under any circumstances.

Write to lloyds a succinct bullet-pointed letter explaining to them what has happened and how they have failed to conduct your account correctly.

Threaten to sue them under BCOBS - (but only if you are prepared to carry out your threat.)

Then come back here and we will be delighted to help you all the way.

Chances of success:- 90%+

Chances that Lloyds will back down rather than go to court - 90%+

I think it'd be COBS , as it's a repayment agreement for a lloyds tsb credit card balance.What letter would I send to Credit Security Limited? and if none, what would the repercussions be from them or as a whole?

You don't need to send anything to CSL, continue making your payments direct to Lloyds, there will be no repercussions except you feeling popular with all the fan mail CSL automatically sends you.

And lodge that complaint with the bank...

I think it'd be COBS , as it's a repayment agreement for a lloyds tsb credit card balance.What letter would I send to Credit Security Limited? and if none, what would the repercussions be from them or as a whole?

Yes, you're right - COBS. In whcih case if you brought an action it would be for breach of contract on the basis that CABs was implied into the contract.

It would be a delicious claim to bring and I expect that Lloyds would squirm and squirm

and dont forget you did have a valid reason for not making a payment they didnt supply you with the means to do so i.e. a new payment book

Hi Having looked again, it took TSB 4 Months to get a new payment book to me.

I've since had another letter from CSL DEMANDING IMMEDIATE payment of the outstanding balance or a DEBT COLLECTOR may call or the account could be referred for legal action.

This got my back up, how dare they! so I have written them a nice letter, pointing out what they've done wrong and tying them up in knots. My next regular payment to TSB is next week and I'll send it as per usual with my nice new payment book.

I'd love to know now, how would I go about suing TSB for breach of contract in the county courts, and how much will it cost me? What paper evidence will I require? Can I drag CSL kicking and screaming into it so they get a spanking too? ( they really are the most obnoxiously blunt debt recovery company I've dealt with yet )

Many Thanks

Bob