Hi guys As the thread title states I have an old debt with Household Bank. Took out the loan im pretty sure over 6 years ago. Loan was originally between 2500-3000 as i recall (lost the paperwork years ago) - The amount now been collected through my earnings is 16000+ - That gave me a real shock when I emailed my HR department to find out the balance. the reason it took the loan was to consolidate other debts. I had recently bought a laptop computer from Dixons and they provided the finance. Ever since then i received regular phone calls asking me if i wanted a loan. Most of the requests were declined until i reached a point where my finances were starting to get out of control so i went in for a chat. We worked out how much debt i had to pay and i was told no point in covering my other loan with Halifax as they wouldn't be able to compete with the interest rate. The other debts were added up and she put the details in the computer. She then asked if i wanted a holiday or new playstation or anything like that. I said no as I thought i was already in enough debt. She then said that the only reason she asked was if i had another £500 (approx) that it would reduce my monthly payments. So i took the carrot. The payments were reduced but only by around £3.00 per month, I did ask why that was? She told me, and I quote "Pffff....I don't know. Its just what the computer says" I ended up taking the loan. It was only when I got home after the deal was signed that I guessed the payments were only reduced by around £3.00 because the interest rate had shot through the roof? Like the woman in the bank wouldn't of known that? (I have been advised that i may be able to get the CCJ set aside?) Any advice with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks DX - Since posting it has occurred to me that I should break this down into separate queries. I had no idea how vast and comprehensive these forums are! When you say never speak to a DCA over the phone - Do I request they put there communications in writing or just hang up? or not even answer to begin with?

Hello, Where do I start? I have several unpaid debts one of which has had a CCJ and attachment of earnings for several years. All of the unpaid debt are from 6-10 years ago. Until now I have buried my head in the sand hoping it will all just go away. As many do I have now come to the point where I want to be free of it all and realized that it wont just go away. I have contacted all kinds of experts to get advice on this, National debt Advice line, various solicitors for which I get free advice due to my employment and trade union etc. The advice all seems good but there are just so many options I don't know what to do for the best. The worry is now starting to have an effect on my health ( stress/ depression etc) I guess i should list what debts i have and a description. CCJ/ AoE debt was a load from Household Bank (Part of HSBC i believe?) Loan was originally between 2500-3000 as i recall (lost the paperwork years ago) - The amount now been collected through my earnings is 16000+ - That gave me a real shock when I emailed my HR department to find out the balance. the reason it took the loan was to consolidate other debts. I had recently bought a laptop computer from Dixons and they provided the finance. Ever since then i received regular phone calls asking me if i wanted a loan. Most of the requests were declined until i reached a point where my finances were starting to get out of control so i went in for a chat. We worked out how much debt i had to pay and i was told no point in covering my other loan with Halifax as they wouldn't be able to compete with the interest rate. The other debts were added up and she put the details in the computer. She then asked if i wanted a holiday or new playstation or anything like that. I said no as I thought i was already in enough debt. She then said that the only reason she asked was if i had another £500 (approx) that it would reduce my monthly payments. So i took the carrot. The payments were reduced but only by around £3.00 per month, I did ask why that was? She told me, and I quote "Pffff....I don't know. Its just what the computer says" I ended up taking the loan. It was only when I got home after the deal was signed that I guessed the payments were only reduced by around £3.00 because the interest rate had shot through the roof? Like the woman in the bank wouldn't of known that? (I have been advised that i may be able to get the CCJ set aside?) that is the larger of my debts. I also have a debt with '3' - the mobile network. This is around a £250 and being pursued by Debt collectors (currently Lowells although I haven't heard from them in a while) The reason this debt is unpaid is because I dispute the debt is even due. At the time I had my account with 3 after my contract expired i cancelled the contract. I was told i would receive my normal bill as it had already been issued and that I may receive a second bill to pay the balance (which I received and paid) I then continued to receive bills from three. Despite phone calls to point out my final payment had been made they insisted that I had to pay the bill. I didnt and I still refuse to do so. During many phone calls with Lowell I have repeatedly told them I do not owe the money and have made repeated requests for them to provide me with a detailed breakdown of what the bill relates too. They keep telling me that I have to put it in writing and they will send me a breakdown. As i do not believe I owe this money I have told them that I will do no such thing. The way I see it is i don't owe 3 a penny. therefor surely i am not obliged to put anything in writing - If they want the money surely they should do as I have requested and send the breakdown. I was actually told early on when lowell took over the collection of this debt that they didn't have a break down and that they could request one from 3 but they may not have one either? How can they pursue a debt that they cant even tell if its actually due? The others less complicated. A littlewoods bill for around £250. I got 2 mobile phones for my partner at the time and her friend. We later split up and they debt eventually stopped getting paid. A Lady from littlewoods did contact me at the time the payments stopped and I explained what had happened and that I was struggling with payments. She actually told me not to worry and asked for details about my ex so that they could pursue it from my ex directly That was around 10 years ago at least and I never heard anything since. No letter from debt collectors or anything. Other debts i had followed me from 1 address to the next but not this one. Would this debt now be statute barred? How do you actually find out without asking a debt collector (incase its almost statute barred and they haven't realized) That about covers it I think. Sorry for the long winded message but like I have said.. .All the information and advice I have seen is just making my head spin. Any help at all would be much appreciated. Thanks

My apologies if this has already been asked umpteen times in various other threads but i've been looking thru the threads for almost an hour. I have found the page with various addresses on fo Halifax this and halifax the but which address is te 1 I need to send my 1st letter too (I already got my statements via telephone call). Is it the top address on that page (P.O box 60, West Yorkshire HX1 2RG which i assume is their head office or is it 1 of the others???) Please help! Thanks.