Lowells - and Provident!

[Moonrose]

My husband received a letter from Provident today.

 

It would seem that Lowells have instructed them to collect an old debt (which is with HSBC and been in dispute for several years now).

 

Since when did Provident become a debt collection agency?

 

The embarrassing part of this is we have had a couple of loans (one very recent) from Provident, which are paid on time, every time - never missed a payment and we have become friends with the collector.

 

Provident are saying they are going to send an agent (probably our friend) to arrange the terms of repayment.

 

To say we are furious with Lowells is an understatement and the chances are now, no matter what, we will never use Provident again. Think we'd rather do without.

 

Not really seeking advice on this, just putting this up as a warning to others.

 

Suffice to say, we will not be taking up Lowells/Provident's offer.

[alfwithhair]

The Leeds Losers are not the only company that is enlisting the help of Provident, Mucky Hall have also dumped a lot of their smaller amount debts on to them.

 

I have heard from others that they will try to get you to sign a new agreement, so you then legally owe provident and not Clownells.

 

Expect a letter from C K Edrupt Solicitors threatening court action, that seems to be the patten they are following.

 

They are not satisfied with fleecing its customers with 272.2% interest, they want to fleece you on behalf of someoone else now

[Bazooka Boo]

Please please please, ensure you make a formal complaint about Lowlifes to the OFT, & TS via consumer direct, one more complaint about this laughable outfit will hopefully bring it's demise very soon...then again, who would we bait then?

Consumer Direct

[Moonrose]

The way the letter from Provi is worded, is almost like Lowells is doing us a favour - complete with "discount" e.g. £500 becomes £400 and, whoop-de-do no interest !!!

 

(ROFLMFAO)

 

But, the way I see it, Lowells are arranging a loan, on our behalf, without consulting us, to cover the "debt". Surely this is illegal?

 

Data Protection springs to mind here among other things.

 

Think I'm going to be busy Monday.

[Bazooka Boo]

Can you scan and post it up, ensuring you remove any ID, ref numbers bar codes atc

[Moonrose]

Willl scan it and put it on the forum later this afternoon/evening.

[ashmk]

Subscribing to this thread as it sounds intresting.

[Moonrose]

OK. Here is the letter we got yesterday. Never done this before and can't seem to get the image to a readable size

 

 

Edited January 31, 2010 by Moonrose
Oops. Accidentally deleted the letter. Sorry.

[cerberusalert]

Totally against OFT guidelines Debt collection guidance - Final guidance on unfair business practices - oft664 http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

 

Physical/psychological harassment

 

Page 9

2.6 b.

 

pressurising debtors to sell property, to raise funds by further

borrowing or to extend their borrowing

[Moonrose]

So, what Lowell's is doing is illegal and also Provident.

 

I also wonder what, if any, offence might there be under the Data Protection Act?

 

We are about to kick up merry hell with the OFT, TS and anyone else willing to listen.

 

National newspapers spring to mind

[Bazooka Boo]

Unforunately nothing they do appears to be Illegal, just that they decide to completely ignot the OFT Debt collection Guidelines, aswell as the Admin of Justice Act, the Telecommunications ACt and the Protection from Harassment Act.

 

Quite simply the reason that all these irritating companies continue to do what they do is that they have never been brought to book over their actions.

 

The sooner the majority of their victims do so, then the sooner they will either be closed down or begin to act within the law and guidelines.

 

The only way this can be brought about is for everyone who is subjected to their very questionable practices, to complain to everyone, including MP's.

[Moonrose]

Just had my friend on the phone. She's getting hassle from Lowlife too - they wrote to her saying they are going to arrest her wages over some debt from a couple of years ago - they don't have a CCJ or anything like that.

 

She hasn't yet learned what they can and can't do and trying to get through to her that they can't do things like this willy-nilly took a bit of persuasion

 

Unfortunately, she's not on the internet so can't read for herself all the good advice on this site (including the Cheekiness thread).

 

I've told her to report them to the OFT too as the more people report them, hopefully, eventually they'll get their operating licence revoked.

[cashins]

Couple of Trading styles listed on Provident Personal Credit Ltd's licence - CCL No 146091 - which does have debt collecting on it.

 

Central Collections Unit Express Debt Collecting Services

 

Never actually heard of them doing 3rd party collections before - they must be feeling the pinch.

 

David

[Moonrose]

Can only do Provident harm.

 

On the front of their payment books, it states "Provident - The Name You Can Trust".

 

Not if they're going to sell their customers (many of who have probably far worse debts than we've got) down the river to parasites like Lowells.

 

It is a complete betrayal of trust, which will impact especially on the agent and the customer and ultimately lose them customers of long-standing.

 

As for the debt in question, it was in dispute. Lowells is about the 8th or 9th DCA to get the debt - and yes, we've had two, sometimes three DCAs writing about the same debt at the same time in the past.

 

I've been chewing over in my mind how I'm going to tackle this when our agent comes up next week -IF she brings the subject up.

 

I will simply tell her not to say another word about it as the matter will be going to litigation (I'd prefer to keep her out of it - I'll just tell her I may be willing to talk to another agent, but not to her as we have become friends and it would put her in an untenable position, reason being I will record any conversation with any other agent and use it in Court if need be).

 

Provident would be licenced as a debt collector - for those who have defaulted on Provident loans.

 

What's angered me is Lowells has taken the LIBERTY of "arranging" a loan for my husband with Provident without so much as a by-your-leave to us. Just sign on the dotted line. I wonder how many people, who don't know about this site have just got themselves in deeper debt because of this underhand tactic.

 

I'm afraid Lowells is going to have to sing for their supper. They get not one penny out of us - and - I will clear the existing loan with Provident asap and they will never get any trade from us again.

 

They haven't lost one customer. They've just lost three.

[alfwithhair]

I think this needs bringing to the attention of the gutter press, they are always on the look out for something like this to get their teeth in to, it sells papers. The more publicilty the better, I am going to get on to our local radio station on Monday, they have a money problem programme in the mornings, they are going to love this. I am very well know by my local MP also, and will be bringing this to his attention as well.

 

Lets make provident wish they had never cooked up a deal with the likes of Clownells and Muckies/

 

I know they offer a service to those who cannot find credit elsewhere (at a price). But that is for the customers own needs, not to pay some lowlife DCA for something they know is unenforceable or they would not be enlisting the likes of Provident.

 

I hate Clownells anyway, but this has got going, I am going to cause Provident big headaches on this one.

Edited January 31, 2010 by alfwithhair

[Mr Worried]

Subbing on a Sunday morning

[Bazooka Boo]

Please ensure this is brought to the attention of the OFT and Trading Standards, a very clear two fingered salute to the OFT by a very shady couple of companies!

 

Let your MP know about this also, this is along the lines of Loan Sharks, and yes, Lowlifes should not have passed your details onto Provident, again they have no right, implied or otherwise to be giving them your personal and financial info, so a Complaint to the ICO, and a word in Lowlifes Data Protection managers ear is also needed.

 

BBC Watchdog, would love to hear about Lowlifes new tricks, not content with fabricating alleged mobile phone debts last year, they are now passing on alleged debtors personal details to other reputably questionable organisations.

 

You should file formal complaints to both of these companies.

And I would be taking them to the bank to pay me for their antics!

[MARTIN3030]

Are you sure its 146091 ?

On a search I got this for that number;

 

 

Application / Licence Details

 

 

 

Licence Number:0146091

Licence Status:Terminated (Licence) on unknown date

 

Current Applicant / Licensee:

 

Name Mr Antony Lehmann

 

Categories:

 

Credit brokerage Debt adjusting/counselling

 

Right To Canvass Off Trade Premises:Yes

 

 

Issued Date: 16-Sep-1983

 

 

Legal Formation:

 

Sole Trader

 

Current Address(es):

 

Address TypeAddress CorrespondenceLegal & General Kingswood Hse, Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6EU Principal Place Of BusinessCaradoc House, New Farm Lane, Nuthall, Nottingham, NG16 1DY

 

Historic Address(es):

 

Address TypeAddress Principal Place Of Business34, Thickett Drive, Maltby, South Yorks, S66 7LB

[MARTIN3030]

146091 is not their CCL No its their Company Number

 

 

Heres their CC Licence details.;

 

 

Application / Licence Details

 

 

 

Licence Number:0002529

Licence Status:Current

 

Current Applicant / Licensee:

 

Business NameCompany Registration Number Provident Personal Credit Limited146091

 

Categories:

 

Consumer credit Consumer hire Credit brokerage Debt adjusting/counselling Debt collecting

 

Right To Canvass Off Trade Premises:Yes

 

 

Trading Name(s) (Current):

 

Advance Cash Advance Loans C.K. Edrupt & Co. Central Collections Unit Express Debt Collecting Services Greenwood Personal Credit P. D. S. P. H. S. Home Shopping Practical Practical Credit Services Premier Financial Services (South) Premier Loans Provident Provident Direct Sales Provident Home Shopping Real Personal Finance The Hamper Club Wiseman Debt Collections

 

Trading Name(s) (Historic):

 

Edward Evans James Keir James Keir (Est 1881) Kemble Williams Warks (Lincoln) Blundells Blundells Home Shopping Gordon Higgins Greenhills Howards J & W Halliday Lawsons Sheffield Furnishing Co Simmons Tyne & Clyde Warehouses Frederick Rigby & Co Home Shopping Pooles Central Warehouse Provident Personal Credit Chirnsides Herbert Farmer Masters Reynard & Sons Samantha Page

 

Issued Date: 24-Nov-1976

Expiry Date: 18-Jan-2012

 

 

Legal Formation:

 

Body Corporate (incorporated inside UK)

 

Current Individuals that run the organisation:

 

NamePosition Charles Ernest Fred TaylorOFFICER Christopher Donald GillespieDirector Emma Gayle VersluysOFFICER Jonathan Richard GillespieDirector Michael Ashley PalmerOFFICER Mr David Robert SpiersOFFICER Mr Philip Charles KettleOFFICER Paul Richard ThrustleOFFICER Richard John Hopwood Stephen David ShawOFFICER

 

Historic Individuals that run the organisation:

 

NamePosition Anthony John HalesDirector Barrie Allan SeniorOFFICER Brian David BettsOFFICER Charles Henry GregsonDirector Christopher Andrew HerbertOFFICER Christopher Charles JohnstoneOFFICER Christopher GrahamOFFICER Dale Hayton CordingleyOFFICER David John MorganOFFICER David Wilson WoodsOFFICER Frederick Wilson ForfarOFFICER Howard James BellOFFICER John Arthur HarnettDirector John HamiltonOFFICER John Rolfe ThorntonOFFICER Leslie James StillwellOFFICER Mr Anthony John De KeyserOFFICER Mr Arthur Brian WilsonOFFICER Mr Brian Peter HoggOFFICER Mr Colin William JacksonOFFICER Mr Craig Robert Anthony Craw WatsonOFFICER Mr David ChanOFFICER Mr David George Bartaby RussellOFFICER Mr David Ralph FranksOFFICER Mr David Richard SwannOFFICER Mr G.F. WoodOFFICER Mr George Francis WoodOFFICER Mr Gerard Peter DalyOFFICER Mr Graham Michael WadesonOFFICER Mr Graig WatsonOFFICER Mr Harvey Brian LipsithOFFICER Mr Henry Goland CarpenterOFFICER Mr Ian Charles DurantOFFICER Mr James AshtonOFFICER Mr James Leishman SneddenOFFICER Mr John Broadley WalkerOFFICER Mr John LomasOFFICER Mr John Robert WilliamsOFFICER Mr Kenneth RichardsonOFFICER Mr Neville Thomas Ardern GreenwoodOFFICER Mr Paul Greame NewtonOFFICER Mr Peter Anthony VeversOFFICER Mr Peter Joseph HarperOFFICER Mr Peter Roger FryerOFFICER Mr Robert SharpOFFICER Mr Roger Stewart PawsonOFFICER Mr Ronald John ReynardOFFICER Mr Stanley Victor RandallOFFICER Mr William Leonard YerbyOFFICER Mr William MartindaleOFFICER Ms Lynne Mary NichollsOFFICER Neville Thomas Arden GreenwoodOFFICER Peter Stuart CrookOFFICER Peter William BrethertonOFFICER Raymond Reginald MilesDirector Richard Stephen HeelsOFFICER Robin James AshtonOFFICER Rosamond Joy Marshall SmithOFFICER Stephen Raymond FordOFFICER

 

Nature of Business:

 

Mortgages

 

Current Address(es):

 

Address TypeAddress CorrespondenceColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ Principal Place Of BusinessColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ Registered OfficeColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ

 

Historic Address(es):

 

Address TypeAddress CorrespondenceColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ CorrespondenceMrs R J Marshall Smith, Provident Financial plc, Colonade Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ CorrespondenceMrs R J Marshall Smith, Provident Financial plc, Colonnade Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ Principal Place Of Business10, James Morrison Street, Glasgow, G1 5PE Principal Place Of Business124, Stamford Street, Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 6AD Principal Place Of Business124, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 6AD Principal Place Of Business2/26, Somerford Grove, London, N16 7TY Principal Place Of BusinessColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ Registered Office1255, High Road, Whetstone, London, N20 0EJ Registered Office3a, High St, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1HP Registered Office84-89, Southampton Road, EastLeigh , Hampshire, SO5 5ZF Registered OfficeColonnade, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2LQ Registered OfficeMarble Arch House 66/68, Seymour Street, London, W1H 5

[MARTIN3030]

C.K. Edrupt & Co.-This one known to CAG

 

As is Wisemans.

[MARTIN3030]

C.K. Edrupt & Co.-This one known to CAG

 

As is Wisemans.

[Moonrose]

Don't you people worry. We intend to stir up a hornets nest with this any way we can

 

Time Lowlifes were put in their place.

 

As for Provident, maybe they are feeling the pinch like the rest of us, but if they cut their interest rates they might find they'd get more customers.

 

Going into cahoots with Lowlife can only seriously damage their business. I can't believe they've been that stupid

 

Obviously going to the OFT and TS is the first point of call and a complaint to the Data Protection manager of Lowlifes. Is there a letter template I can use for this, and if so, where do I find it.

 

Any other means of nailing this lots @rses to the wall would be VERY greatly appreciated - and anyone who wants to help us stir up the hornets nest is more than welcome

[cashins]

146091 is not their CCL No its their Company Number

 

 

Ooops, sorry for the typo - it was late!

 

David

[Kry10]

I've just had one of these this weekend - only thing is that for me it's now statute barred and they will be the 10th 'DCA' to try and collect.

[cashins]

I've just had one of these this weekend - only thing is that for me it's now statute barred and they will be the 10th 'DCA' to try and collect.

 

Blimey, I've got one thats been to 7 DCA's and I thought that was going some.

 

Must admit, by the time a debts been to two or three I don't take them seriously anymore.

 

David