Thanks Duffers Mum. Already checked with my bank when reporting card damaged. They assured me the new card would have a new number, new valid/expiry dates, new CCV and I could keep my PIN. As my account contains zip, zilch, zero, then going without a card for 5 working days won't affect me at all. If you're on income support, you pay what you can to creditors, then withdraw the rest as cash so you can feed and clothe yourself... CCA already sent last Monday...

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/264373-sainsburys-blair-oliver-me.html It's info for a start. Plus, if they're commonly known as "Blair, Oliver & Stupid" then there must be some hope. Good luck!

Thanks for that cerberusalert! Virgin have never told us about that, even when the phone line was set up. I'll give it a go this evening. Much appreciated

Unfortunately I can't afford any kind of phone recording device and as the main phone isn't mine, I can't bar calls if it costs anything. My family know the situation though. Anyway, the last one that called me (and I answered) was Lowell. The cowards did the usual thing of not giving their company name. The call went like this: Me: Hello? Lowell: Hello could I speak with Mr Halibutt please? Me: Who's calling please? Lowell: Sorry I can only confirm that with Mr Halibutt Me: (play along) Speaking. Lowell: Could you confirm your date of birth and post code for security purposes? Me: Sorry, I will only give that information out when I know who I'm speaking to. You could be trying to steal my identity. Lowell: ................ Me: Hello? Could you give me your name, date of birth and the name of the company you're calling from please? Lowell: I'm sorry, I erm... Me: Why would you expect me to give the same information to a stranger then? Lowell: Erm.... click. That was a while ago and they've only just started calling again after my letter. The "stop harrassment" letter should work though. Thanks for the continued help and support guys, like many people, I think I can honestly say that you've helped me feel more confident and far less worried about the situation with your kind help and advice.

Thanks. Trouble is, if I can't 1471 the number, I have no proof it's Lowells. It wouldn't be anyone else as I'm completely up-to-date with payments on other debts. I'll carry on ignoring the phone for the moment then. Cheers! Oh, as I'm typing this, the phone is ringing for the fifth time today...

Latest on this is that I've checked with my bank. I have no standing orders, direct debits or payment authorities set up on my account, so I've reported my card as damaged and requested a new one, which should arrive in 7 working days. I sent the recorded delivery CCA letter, along with a postal order - it was sent on 15th June and signed for on 16th. Over the last few days I've received on average, three phone calls a day from withheld numbers and unrecognised mobile numbers. We rarely get calls that are not from family or recognised numbers and never answer the phone anyway - we just check via 1471 and then any left message via 1571 if we don't recognise the number. Just wondering now if Lowell have decided to re-start their telephone harrassment campaign... I won't contact them at all until they respond in writing to my CCA request, then, depending on response, I'll send them a monthly payment offer for the amount I CAN REASONABLY AFFORD each month and set up a standing order with my bank if they choose to accept the offer. If they do keep ringing, I'll send a telephone harrassment letter along with the template requesting no doorstep visits - all by recorded delivery and keeping copies. As I first said, I'm not disputing that I owe some money (originally to Capital One) but if they are going to unreasonably demand 1/8 of my income per month and ignore me/talk over me when I tried to negotiate a sensible payment plan, then with the kind help of everyone here, I'm finally standing up for myself! And what happens if they can't produce the CCA within the proscribed time? Should I simply stop paying anything? I did offer to make "good faith" payments originally and I have already acknowledged the debt. I would imagine that if it went to court, I would be ordered to pay £1 - £5 per month until my financial situation improves. Have I done the right thing so far? Any other advice please? Thanks everyone

That's what I thought. Thanks for that Andie And good luck Fallenangel!

If you have your installation CD/Software, go to Control Panel ~> Programs and uninstall scanner software and then re-install. That should get rid of any problems.

I might be missing something here, but you might need to find out more about any implications of taking your OH off the account. There will still be records of account holder(s) signatories, etc. Not sure if it's that easy, though I see no harm in trying. Good luck with NatWest!

Thanks Unclebulgaria. That means another recorded delivery letter then! Alternatively, I could contact my bank and report my debit card as "damaged". As I have no money in my account, the only people who'll be inconvenienced is Lowell as my bank will issue a new card with a different number/expiry date...

I don't use social networking. My published plays are under a pseudonym as is my photography. I tried the 192 thingy and all it could bring up was that I am living with my dad. He died in 2001... oops! Just given some personal info away there! Hmmm...

Thanks cerberusalert. There's no DD as such as I haven't signed anything or set one up. Lowell have my debit card details though and debit my account every second Tuesday (when my benefits are paid) another problem is that benefits aren't always paid on the same day! I'll contact my bank and see if they will stop any payments to Lowell Portfolio. Thanks for the continuing help!

Mrs Bambi - I'm not a debt expert, but I can advise on computer problems... If you open your scanning software, there should be an "options" tab. If you click on that, you should be able to specify where any scans are saved. It should be along the lines of "Save to" then a folder with "Browse" next to it. Use that and specify a folder or create one that you can find easily. If you have the option to name any file you scan, give it a memorable name. Using Windows Search, you'll be able to find the file containing your scan. Alternatively, use Windows Search and simply search for all files created today. Hope that helps

Lowell have just debited my account again... CCA request sent. Have to see what happens next! Thanks for the advice everyone

Thanks for that. The card was from over ten years ago. I'll have to ponder that one!

Thanks cerberusalert I'll take that advice and see what happens! Much appreciated guys

Thanks Unclebulgaria. Lowell are chasing the Capital One debt, yes. On their letters it states: "Original Creditor: Capital One" not that they are acting on behalf of... So I presume that I'm best off sending a recorded delivery letter along with Income/Expenditure statement and an offer to pay what I can afford on a monthly basis? Another problem here is that Benefits are not paid out on the same day each month, so it does get difficult. I appreciate your advice and will try to formulate a coherent plan of action. Thank you. If anyone else would be happy to comment/advise as well, anything would be gratefully received!

Hi All, Firstly, thanks for a very interesting and helpful forum. Like many posters here, I've had trouble with Lowell Financial/Lowell Portfolio. However, my circumstances seem to be slightly different. I ran up a credit card debt with Capital One a few years back and found myself unable to keep up payments after being made redundant and then suffering a serious illness. I've finally been signed off as fit for work, though I currently have to claim Jobseekers Allowance (£130 a fortnight) until I find a job. I owe around £1,400 at the moment. I sent a Statement of Income/Expenditure to my four creditors and asked to repay my debts at a reduced rate until I am able to find work. All creditors agreed and halved my payments for at least six months. All that is, except Lowell Portfolio, who refused point-blank and are currently demanding a payment of £32 per month from me, even though they have verbally acknowledged receipt of my statement of income and request for reduced payments. This is a pretty hefty sum for me to pay from my benefits and I'm really not sure what to do now. Should I write to them again, restating my circumstances? Or do I have to pay what they tell me and go without food for three or four days per month? I know that Lowell bought my debt from someone else, but the only statement of this was the initial letter they sent me, saying that I should now deal only with them - they've never sent proof of them buying the debt. I'm not disputing that I owe the amount, just that their 'strong-arm tactics', phone calls, letters and refusal to consider my circumstances is becoming very distressing and is a real problem. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you!