Morning everybody. As per everyone's suggestions, I telephoned Clydesdale Financial Services (now Barclaycard Partner Finance) and explained the situation to one of their most helpful executive customer assistants. When I quoted the HFO 'Original Crediator Reference' I was advised that there is nothing under that reference or in my name or at any of my previous addresses on their files whatsoever. I was advised that the person I was speaking had never heard of HFO and that her opinion was that it sounded a bit 'dodgy'! She did concede that if the original agreement was some 11 years ago then it wouldn't be on their computerised system but said that if the debt was apparently sold 5/6 years ago then it would be. So...... any suggestions as to what I do next? The 'prove it' letter seems to me like the best option but I would welcome any input. Thank you for your assistance in advance!!

Will do. Will get on it first thing tomorrow.

I THINK the only card I had was for Karen Millen.... but I was a student and there is no way it was for a significant amount!! Certainly nowhere near £775 and probably less than £100 in all fairness.... It just says that the 'original lender' was Clydesdale Financial Services' and there is an account number but that doesn't help me much.... Great advice from you all. Will send the 'prove it' letter first and draft complaint to OFT. Nice to know I'm not as alone as I first thought!!

Thanks Brig... have one drafted already. Will send it tomorrow recorded delivery!

Never had a barclaycard!! Do they do storecards too? I had a storecard at uni and it is more than possible I moved and forgot to change correspondence..... though its so long ago I can't honestly remember...

To be fair I haven't tried to contact clydesdale yet... am new to all of this and just vented at HFO first.... I will try and contact them though.

Further information: Apparently sold by Clydesdale Financial Services. Told two different dates over the phone (2004 and 2005) as to when the debt was allegedly sold. Couldn't tell me if I had made any contact or payments to them since they had allegedly 'bought' the debt (I know I haven't but was asking to see if they knew what they were talking about) and suggested I had been avoiding the letters by moving around so often!! Should I be sending SAR letter now to request the information and see exactly what its all about or just go straight in with a statute barred letter? Any advice very much appreciated! x

Hi there broken arrow.... I do actually! I received a letter yesterday from HFO (a 'Reminder - Notice of Assignment' letter) saying I owe £774.61. I telephoned straight away (as I hadn't read the threads suggesting not to do that!) and I spoke to 'Kumar' who advised the amount was for a debt going back originally to 2000 which HFO are saying they purchased in 2004/2005. He maintains I have been contacted on several occasions by them by letter (which is rubbish!) I did tell him straight away it was in dispute and asked him on more than one occasion if he had a copy of my original credit agreement (as I have no clue what the original debt was even for!!) . I also told him that I thought it was statue barred and have certainly never received any correpsondence from HFO prior to this letter. I demanded copies of everything over the phone and was assured they would be received but decided to have a look on here for any specific letters I ought to be sending. Thanks

Hi there broken arrow.... I do actually! I received a letter yesterday from HFO (a 'Reminder - Notice of Assignment' letter) saying I owe £774.61. I telephoned straight away (as I hadn't read the threads suggesting not to do that!) and I spoke to 'Kumar' who advised the amount was for a debt going back originally to 2000 which HFO are saying they purchased in 2004/2005. He maintains I have been contacted on several occasions by them by letter (which is rubbish!) I did tell him straight away it was in dispute and asked him on more than one occasion if he had a copy of my original credit agreement (as I have no clue what the original debt was even for!!) . I also told him that I thought it was statue barred and have certainly never received any correpsondence from HFO prior to this letter. I demanded copies of everything over the phone and was assured they would be received but decided to have a look on here for any specific letters I ought to be sending. Thanks