I have a historic debt with Welcome Finance which, after a prolonged period of time, has gotten back in touch with me. Having read a few posts on this site, I think there may be a few options I can look into with regard to possibly reducing the balance on this debt. There is quite a long story here, so let me explain as best I can.... 18 Aug 2001: Purchased 2nd hand car from Direct Car Finance. Finance provided by Welcome Finance. No PPI. Shortfall Insurance also taken out for full loan term. Breakdown and recovery insurances also taken out, not for full term. Loan repaid erratically. ?? May 2002: Car stolen and not recovered, motor insurance paid out for a total loss. Shortfall insurance also paid out. Both lots of money went to Welcome against loan balance. Loan continued to be repaid erratically. April 2003: I signed a new loan agreement to enable the balance to be used to pay off the car loan, which now had no security as the vehicle was stolen and I was left with an unsecured loan to pay off. I have in my possession a full list of transactions on my account from inception to this date. Jul 2005: After once again falling behind with my payments, I signed another new loan agreement. If i recall correctly this was to allow me to reduce my payments by taking the balance over a longer term. May 06: Last payment to Welcome I have a record of. Jan 2007: Moved house, lost contact with Welcome, heard nothing from them until March 2010 when a letter from Willen arrived. I have my copies of the Aug 01 and Jul 05 agreements. I also have a large number of cash receipts from payments I have made, probably most but definitely not all of them. I have the vast majority of correspondence from them. I have read reports of some people having success in defeating Welcome due to incorrect clauses in the Credit Agreements. The two agreements I have clearly state that PPI is not a part of the agreement, and I think it is extremely unlikely I have it on the 3rd agreement. It is over 6 years since my last payment to Welcome, if my final receipt is indeed the final one. My frustrations are two-fold. Firstly, despite a large total amount of money being paid to Welcome by me, and additional payments from the motor insurer and the shortfall insurance company, I still owe over £2000. Secondly, Welcome were a rude and scary company to deal with, to the extent that I had cause to place a written complaint with witnesses to them regarding a DPA breach in 2004. To be totally honest, I am sick of this having been a millstone around my neck for over a decade now and am looking for any way I can to reduce / clear the balance, perhaps with reference to the original agreements, charges applied, statute of limitations, etc. The end-game I am looking for is where this shows as fully settled and satisfied on my credit file, and I am prepared to negotiate some sort of settlement to achieve this if I have to, but would like to explore all the options. I have scanned and uploaded copies of my loan docs, but unfortunately cant attach the link due to a low post count. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer. I am just a bit confused as to what my options might be....

Anyone have any up to date information on how long these people are going to die a slow death ?????

In 2008 I took out a loan from Welcome Finance for £4k later in the year I was forced to stop work due to failing health severe osteoarthritis and severe asthma ( had two bouts of potentially fatal asthma). I defaulted on the loan and had numerous phone calls & visits to my home from representatives of welcome. I was on DLA and my only means of support was from an occupational pension. It still is my only means of support as I do not qualify for any benefits because of the pension. I moved away from the area to a different county to be closer to my family in case anything should happen to me. I had enough on my plate dealing with my illnesses so the Welcome Loan became one of my least problems. In November this year I receive a fishing letter from Mackenzie hall at my current home asking if I was the person living at that address. This I ignored since then on the 30th November I received the following letter:- Pursuers Cattles Original Creditor Welcome Finance Sum £5130.50 FAILURE TO RESPOND NOTICE Dear xxxx Despite correspondences you have failed to respond. We have obtained this alternative address from a financial link from a credit reference agency. We have been instructed by our client Catttles to recover this overdue account on their behalf. Our clients have informed us that they are unaware of any legitimate reason why this has not been paid and although an amicable settlement would be preferred they would not hesitiate to take further action as appropriate. We trust that this will not be necessary and request payment by Payment deadline Noon 3rd December 2012 If you have made payment or have any issue then please ring 0844 411 5669 quoting ref XXXX If you are not the person above then please contact us on the number above quoting Address ID XXXX What du you suggest I do as I cannot afford to repay them that sort of money. They have only got my address from a third party as I have not reponded to any of the letters received from them. Please can anyone offer best course of action to take.