Natwest Student Account from 8 years ago now with DCA

[Jacie]

Hi there, i am really in need of some advice...

 

When i was a student i was offered a Natwest student account which came with an interest free overdraft. I know i definitely used the account and i'm not disputing that i owe them money, however, i have now received a yellow warning card from Allied International demanding the outstanding sum is paid in full.

 

My issue with this is that correspondance in previous years has either not been sent or sent to another address. I have received e-mails over the past couple of months from Natwest asking me to get in touch urgently which i have done only to find that they won't discuss the account with me as i can't pass security. At this point i told them my current address and asked if they could send me details of the account but instead i have received this warning and demand from Allied. I phoned Allied last night and explained that no-one from Natwest would speak to me regarding the account so they gave me a number and a ref to quote and again no-one would speak to me so i am currently waiting on a phonecall back from Allied.

 

I am happy to pay the amount i owe (just over £1,500) but this isn't something i can do in one go as my partner and i are saving for our wedding in 8 months and money is tight. I am also concerned that charges may have been added to the balance so i want to see a full break down of the amount before payment is discussed.

 

Can anyone advise me if it is likely that they will agree a payment plan with me and if they will provide me with a breakdown of the amount? I can't see them being understanding about me needing my money for our wedding and was considering the option of not disclosing how much i earn if asked - would this be adding fuel to the fire? (I don't earn alot of money but would ideally like to tell them i earn less than i do but not sure if they can find out how much i earn?)

[silverfox1961]

Hi,

couple of questions first.

 

when was the last time you made payment to this account?

Have you admitted this is your debt - in writing?

[Jacie]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read my problem.

 

I really don't know when the last time was i made a credit but it was definitely a while ago.

 

At the moment, i have said i do not understand the debt as i haven't received any statements etc.

[silverfox1961]

The reason I asked was that if no payment nor acknowledgement of a debt is made in 6 years (5 years in Scotland) the debt is Statute Barred by virtue of the Limitations Act 1980.

 

Allied (I believe) are a debt collection Agency and as such should be treated with caution. I would send them this:

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?428-General-debt-letter-if-you-know-nothing-of-the-debt

 

Make sure it is sent Recorded delivery and don't sign it. Just print your name.

 

They have to prove a debt exists. Not you prove it doesn't

 

In time it may come to you sending Nastywest a SAR but I would hold off till you get some response from the DCA

[silverfox1961]

Oh yes, welcome to CAG

[Jacie]

Hi, i just wanted to ask advice on an update i have regarding my overdraft. Allied finally phoned me back and they have offered me the opportunity to settle my account by paying £900 instead of the £1,584 that is owed.

 

To me, this seems like a good deal but is it too good to be true? Also, would this be their final offer?

 

Thanks

[dx100uk]

stop talking to these jokers on the phone

NEVER talk about your debts to a DCA by that method.

they have no legal powers and can do nowt to you.

 

if they are giving you a discount that prob means that its statute barred or made solely of charges or something else is wrong.

 

don't pay them a penny.

 

demand everything in writing only

[Jacie]

I had hoped that my account may be statued barred but i credited it just over 2 years ago so unfortunately i do owe Natwest.

 

This makes me think that the offer of £900 is not bad as it means i will be rid of the debt and Natwest once and for all. I'm just surprised that they have offered me this and i wondered if it was worth saying i can't quite raise that amount in the hope that they would come further down?

[dx100uk]

something smells here

 

no dca offers a 'discount' if they can hit you for the full amount

 

they cant prove its yours

 

so dont give them any clues

 

fire off the letter SF recommended to the DCA

 

and stop using that phone

 

dx