Hey everyone, I sent the template letter to the lowell complaint email (it offers a record of delivery, so saves postage). They wrote back to me this afternoon saying that they agreed that the debt was statute barred and that the account was closed. So, unless they pass it on to someone else, I guess I got a result!! There was never a CCJ or anything ever issued against me. Anyway, I'm happy that they at least have agreed with me (and all of you) and consider the debt statute barred!!

Thanks Brig and everyone for the help!! I think the are chasing a 250 credit card debt from 2001... I know that it was bad to not pay it, but I find their tactics really ** insert obscenity** awful. I will send the letter and hopefully that will be done with it.

thanks for your replies! i've read awful things about this company~!

hi there, I recently returned to the UK after 12 years abroad. In those 12 years I didnt have a bank account etc and have received no mail from any DCA'a for the past 10 years. I recently opened a bank account and I guess that has put me back on the system. Lowell Porfolio rang my brother (who lives at an address that I have never even visited let alone lived at) asking for me. Then I checked experian and I see that they made two enquiries in the last month. My experian file is clean, and any debts that I had (old style student loan & credit card) are now all statute barred as they are from over 13 years ago. Anyway, I wrote them an email and sent a letter (copying a letter from another SAG member): Dear Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd During a recent review of my Experian credit file, I was extremely concerned to note a total of 2 unauthorised credit searches by your organisation in the last 1 month at my current address. As a company I have no known or acknowledged financial relationship with, I must advise you that I find it completely unacceptable that you would access my personal data with a Credit Agency with this kind of regularity, without my consent. Futhermore, I believe that you contacted a family member requesting information about me. Research on the Internet would suggest that you are a Debt Collection company. Please note that I do not acknowledge any outstanding debts to either your organisation, or any organisation you claim to be acting on behalf of. Given the fact that my credit files with both Experian and Equifax show no outstanding, defaulted debts to any creditors within the last 6 years (the time period for which defaults display, I believe) it must also be concluded that any alleged debt related to these unauthorised credit searches would in any case, have to be more than 6 years old. I would point out that under the Limitation Act 1980 any alleged debt would be statue barred at this point, given I have neither acknowledged any alleged debt, nor have I made any payments in respect of any alleged debt in the last 6 years. As I intend to make no payments in respect of any alleged debt and furthermore that any alleged debt would be statute barred all actions by your company, affiliates and/or other 3rd parties acting on your behalf should immediately cease - including any further unauthorised access of my personal information. Furthermore, as no payment in respect of any alleged debt will be made I must ask that neither your company, affiliates or any other 3rd parties acting on your behalf should be passed any of my personal data, nor should they contact me by any means for the purpose of requesting any payment. Please be advised, this letter constitutes a formal request that you immediately cease and desist from: 1. Any further unauthorised attempts to share or access my personal information through any licensed Credit Reference agencies 2. Any further actions or contact in pursuit of payment of any alleged statute barred debts In the case of statute barred debts the OFT Debt Collection Guidance states that: “Continuing to press for payment after a debtor has stated that they will not be paying a debt because it is statute barred could amount to harassment contrary to section 40 (1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970”. Any further unauthorised access or sharing of my personal information – or requests for payment of any alleged statute barred debt will be treated as harassment and a breach of the Data Protection Act and I will seek the strongest legal and regulatory redress. I trust my position is clear and I await your written confirmation that no further action (including access or sharing of my personal information) will be taken concerning any alleged debt and confirmation that this matter is now closed. I look forward to your reply. Yours faithfully, .... Will this be enough to get them off my case? Any advice would be welcome!! Thanks

ok thanks! if they contact me I can just reply with a statute barred letter?

Thanks! Im trying to find out what I can do... I know it was bad to run away from debt... and I don't want to get sympathy with a sob story.... but I am really embarrassed right now, and I really want to complain or shout at someone!!

it was credit card debt of a couple of hundred pounds and student loans (the old type). Everything is statute barred and Ive been told that the DCA's cant do anything...but I am mystified about how they got my brothers phone number... everything is well over 12 years old!! My address and number I understand, my brother's address and number, I don't.

ps... my brothers landline phone is not even listed under his name!!!!

I'd really appreciate any help I can get about this. I have been out of the UK for over 12 years. I after graduating and I left some debts... bad and irresponsible...but it is what it is. I have recently returned and set up a UK bank account and opened a secured credit card...with an aim of rebuilding some credit history. I got a full current account and my credit history with Experian showed nothing outstanding. Today my brother called me saying that someone called his home (I dont even know the postal address) saying the have a package to deliver to me. he checked the number and it was a debt collection agency. How could they get my brothers information...I seriously dont even know his landline number?? Also, arent all my debts now statute barred?? Its been 12 years since I lived in the country. He is going to get me the number.... what can I say when I call them? I want to shout obscenities down the phone... I am embarrassed and really upset...call me, thats ok....call a family member that is really messed up!!!! What can I do? Any advice would be appreciated.

You guys have been a great help, i really appreciate it! I am looking forward to going home and applying to a uni, doing a PGCE and starting over. Luckily I wont have to ask for a student loan this time!!

I will be staying at my parents' for a while, This is the address that i was registered at before, no mail from debt collectors has been sent there for years. Should I use another address to open my bank account? I dont want my parents to freak at the letters!

Thanks for the advice...The student loans were taken out from 1994-1996... do I still owe on them? I have savings and money that ive saved to get settled in, so i wont need to claim any benefits. Im worried about going into a bank and them laughing in my face if I try to open a current account! I would prefer to not pay back the student loan, maybe I am still being irresponsible. I will definitely open with another bank. I checked experian and my credit file says nothing with a score of 749... does this mean that any bank I enter will have no knowledge of previous bad behavior? Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it.

Thanks! Even the student loan? Will it possible for me to open a regular bank account? I will still be receiving some income as I will be doing freelance work from home and i have savings to transfer over...

Hi, I'd appreciate any help / advice I can get. I was reckless and pretty stupid as a student and got in some credit card debt and took out student loans - the last loan was in 1996. I left the UK in 2001, intent on having a year of adventure in Asia...now, 12 years later I am thinking of returning. When my bank found out I had left the counter, in 2001, they closed my account. I have also not been on the electoral register in that time. In the years that have passed, my parents received some letters from the student loans company and debt collectors, and being incredibly irresponsible, I just ignored everything. Last year i signed up for experian credit checking and I have a score of 749 and it states that there are no outstanding balances, the profile says my score is low as I am not on the electoral register and have no completed contracts...basically I think it means there is no information about me. When I go home, I will have to open an HSBC passport account, for people new to the UK...basically will debt collectors find me and come harrassing me at my parents' home? I also (now i think this was foolish) applied for a capital one secured credit card, as I thought that might be a way to build up some credit history... I later thought that maybe this will let DCAs know I am back... So basically, will I start getting letters about past debts, will I eventually be able to open a current account, and will I be able to rebuild a credit history? I am based in Northern Ireland (if that makes any difference) Thanks for any help you can offer and patience in reading this!!