Maybe it depends on how cheap they buy the debt for. All a numbers game to them.....they know people get scared and succumb to threats and they know some people know their onions and won't bow to pressure! Is it me or do a lot of these DCA's try and make their letters look like a law firm has sent it? Buchanan Clark and Wells sure sounds like a law firm to me. Best regards, Wafty.

Thanks Ben and Uncle B. Got to dash off now will speak later

Thanks Uncle B and Sillygirl. My philosophy is say nothing to them, no contact at all. Compile a list of things that have been carried out incorrectly and use it if I have to. Also not sending CCA request until I have to either. I thought that DCA's could sell debts on? Or is it only the Creditors who can sell it on just once? Anyway from what I can see it all looks very much like they are chancing there arm in the hope I make contact or send a payment! If they had real legal claims surely I would have had a knock or court letter? I do owe MBNA from a credit card from years ago, but am disgusted in the way that they have doubled the debt and the means by which they try and recover monies! All the best guys, Wafty.

Happy New Year Folks! Would you believe after hearing nothing for the last 4 months, I now get a letter from Buchanan Clark + Wells. They say they have been instructed by Aktiv Kapital to recover the 'debt'. Just when I thought this had gone away. Are these people just another DCA helping another or a subsidiary of Aktiv? Anyone in CAGland know much about this lot? Best regards, Wafty.

Thanks for the reply......and I sympathise with you regarding the addition of interest! I still have not heard anything from them since my last post! I haven't even had to send any requests for original CCA or anything yet. If they come back again, I will hit them with requests for the documentation, but I feel they were grabbing at straws trying to find me anyway. Keep your chin up mate and fight the good fight! Best regards, Wafty

Hi, I was receiving a letter every week for 4 weeks from these people. They said they got my address from a public database. I did not acknowledge the letters in any way and did not contact them. Now not heard anything from them for 6 weeks.......is this good do you think? Or just the calm before the storm? Best regards, Wafty x

Thanks Uncle B.

These barstewards have sent me another letter still offering me 35% discount but they have put the outstanding balance up from £9623.58 to £9650.10!!!!Can they do that? Surely as they are not a bank themselves and I have no agreement with them, they can't do this??? They also state....that any payment I choose to make, that Aktiv will add 20% of their own money towards the debt. lol. What a load of bol**cks. They probably bought the account for a couple of hundred quid. Think I will sit tight on this one and wait to see if the letters get more menacing. Best regards.

Yeah you are right Helios, blood sucking parasites the lot of 'em!

Judging by the general consensus from people on here that have had MBNA C/Cards......most have not been sent enforceable CCA's. My alleged account was set up in circa. 1996.....so I would imagine I have a fair shout of not receiving one myself. Who the fcuk would want to work for MBNA or DCA? Must be sick

Just had another letter today offering a 35% discount on this account. I can now pay £6,263.57 within 14 days and they say they will clear the rest for me! How kind!!

This has to be the way to go (if they contact me again) because either the CCA will be non existent or not enforceable or at least I can see from the statement when I last made a payment.

Sure I have made a payment to Thames within the last 4 years never mind 6 so this would worry me.

Thanks BB.... but I would rather go down the prove it, CCA request route as I fear simply asking for a statement of account would suggest I accept it's my A/C. If they turn up with the correct CCA and I have no leg to stand on then I will argue the amount. All the best!

Thanks Sidewinder. Will see if they are such a pushover with my case......I fear they may not be for £9.5k+ though How they arrive at that figure is beyond me

We will see BB, will keep you posted........but not doing anything until I get another letter.

ahh.....ok thanks BB. Does this mean I am in deep doo doo now Thames has told his Dad?

Thank you Uncle. Very reassuring to hear your advice. Thanks everybody. Any further advice/help greatly received. Best regards.

Thank you harrassed senior! I think I will send this letter if they contact me again. I can't play the 'Statute Barred' card unless I know for definite about the time scale. Cheers.

Thanks for the reply Cartaphilus! I seem to remember being sent default notice, but this was about 11/12 years ago. Made a payment as recently as 4 years ago. They never said which database they got my address from......but I am not on the electoral role. Thanks.

Hi, just received a request from Aktiv for an outstanding balance on an MBNA Credit Card. I defaulted on this card in about 1998! I then started paying Thames Credit £50/ month. But they had added loads of interest on. The original amount was for £5-6k. I didn't like the way I was treated and spoken to and hounded by Thames credit. When I moved house I changed banks and sent no further payments to Thames. I have moved several times and yesterday received a demand from Aktiv Kapital (I presume Thames bought debt from MBNA and then Thames sold it to Aktiv or Aktiv is Thames new name?????). They say they got the address from a public database. They want me to call them but I don't think this is the best move. Aktiv say the outstanding balance is £9,623.58!!!!! Can someone tell me if Statute Barred applies to date of default or date of last contact/payment? Shall I ignore and see what happens? If I get a further letter shall I request a copy of original CCA from them? Spoke to my brother and he reckons MBNA got a bit slap happy with paperwork a few years ago and chances are they won't have kept or forwarded the CCA. He also recommended this site. Not happy about being asked for over £9k for an original debt of £5-6k. Especially when they probably paid peanuts for the debt. Any advice gratefully received. Cheers!