Disabled Veteran Harrassed for 4yrs by DCA for debt of unknown person

[theghost]

Is there really? All I can see is that a company has passed an incorrect phone number to another company.

 

We have no idea why that is - there is nothing as yet to suggest it was malicious or purposelly false (why would it be?)

 

I am struggling to think any reason why a creditor would purposelly pass on 'false' informaiton but I can think of a couple of reasons why it may do due to other factors or their own carelessness. I am not saying its right but I daresay you are somewhat jumping the gun and gettign over excited over something that will almost certainly be put down to the creditor providing a false number or a 'clerical error'.

 

Given that it looks like Op has been hounded by multiple DCAs for multipel debts logic tells me someone has been giving out the wrong number when signing up for credit.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Simple Sloppy incompetant data control.

[theghost]

Yes - which (legally) is a world away from providing false information.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Not if incompetence harms others!!

[give them FA]

Before you get too far into it remember it is perfectly possible the phone number associated with this debt was CORRECT in the sense that it may have been that of the debtor at the time the debt was incurred. Can you not find out from the telephone service provider whether or not the number was issued to Zoe McCue or to her stated address prior to the vet- if so neither the OC nor Lowells could be alleged to be at fault. Just sayin' as if you make a big fuss then find you missed a simple explanation it don't make you look good.

[stu007]

Hi All

 

Well next draft letter for Lowells as usual you comments an suggestions most welcome.

 

Dear Mr XXXXXXXXXX

 

Reference: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

Thank you for your letter dated 8th November 2011, but I feel this complaint is still a long way from being resolved and still require further clarification.

 

You state the following in your letter:

 

● “Lowell Group is a debt purchase company. We purchase customer accounts from various creditors – including credit cards, loans, store finance, current accounts,home shopping and mobile communication – and then work with each customer to build realistic and affordable repayment plans. The sale of an account is usually done when the client has exhausted their own collections procedures, which often includes the appointment of external collection agents, without success. On this particular account our client has confirmed that two external companies were utilised in assistingt heir recovery attempts. As part of the process of purchasing accounts we are provided with customer contact details and the telephone number XXXX XXX XXXX was provided as part of the purchase of this account. Our client has confirmed that thecustomer supplied this telephone number as part of their landline contact information. As an aside, we have been advised that our client did not provide the telephone number to either of the external debt collection agents, and therefore they each independently associated your number to the same customer account”.

 

a. Since your Company purchased this debt from the Client, you purchased the Legal Rights & Responsibilities for that debt from the Client. Therefore your Company is legally responsible for all actions not the Client.

b. Your Company has also failed in the Data Accuracy compliance by failing to accurately check the Data given to you by the Client was accurate.

c. Your Client contracted the external debt collection agents to act on their behalf and these external debt collection agents when informed incorrect number but failed to inform your Client. Therefore the incorrect data was still being processed and as they were contracted by the Client they are responsible for their agent failure.

 

● “Please be assured that no further contact will be made by the Lowell Group of Companies in connection with this matter, nor has your information been passed to any external agencies. I have also contacted the client from where the incorrect data originated and they have also removed your telephone number from their records”.

 

a. The incorrect data originated from the Client as you state but Lowell’s failed to check the accuracy of that data and processed incorrect data therefore Lowell’s failed in its data accuracy compliance.

 

b. The incorrect data originated from the Client therefore I require the following:

 

1. Either you provide the Name and Address of your Client Data Compliance Officer so that i may have written confirmation from the Client that this Data has been removed.

 

OR

2. You contact your Client and request they forward to myself a letter confirming that this Data has been removed.

 

If this request is denied i will require a full explanation as to the reason and will take it that your Company was Legally Responsible for all Actions.

 

I look forward to your reply

 

Yours Sincerely

Edited November 23, 2011 by stu007

[stu007]

Hi

 

Any comment or suggestion on the draft letter caggers?

[give them FA]

Yes. If it is accepted that the "client" (if that is the appropriate way to describe the OC) has sold the debt to Lowells, then they have no further right to try to collect it so why is it suggested they be involved?

 

Seriously, Stu, you have to consider the possibility that the number WASN'T wrong, it might have been assigned to the debtor before being given to your friend. Is there any way in which they could have verified the number prior to ringing it, in reality? If all you are looking to do is embarrass them you could just take it to the paper without giving them the opportunity of further response.

[stu007]

Hi give them FA

 

The reason the Client is mentioned in the draft letter is due to Lowell stating in there letter numerous time about this client right down to it was the client that gave them the data. Then further into the letter they state the client did not provide the two external dcas with the number. but the client contracted these dcas therefore they are responsible for there actions.

 

Its really a round about way of trying to get to the bottom of who the Client is since its Lowells that has brought them into the equasion.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The letter is fine Stu, don't forget to head it FORMAL COMPLAINT.

 

Brig.

[stu007]

Hi Caggers

 

Well letter is going on Monday to lowlife soz lowells but need your advice and views on this one as Veterans friend has advise him as well to add to his letter.

 

The point he raised is that as the Veteran wasnt the debtor and it was never confirmed by Lowells the Manager he spoke to who asked him to confirm he doesnt live at this debtors address and proceeded to state the debtor full address over the phone to an Unknown Person they have just given enough information to commit ID Fraud

 

The Veteran during the recorded call had explained to the manager that they new the debtors full name and the only thing they didnt have for the full address was the door number and the reason for this being all the other DCAs giving this information which the manager proceeded after that to give the debtors full address.

 

I am unsure whether to add this to the letter but can totally see where they are coming from as ID Fraud is so wide spread could this really be classed as that?

 

Whats your thoughts and views and as always Caggers thanks again.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

There is certainly no harm in adding

this.

 

Brig.

[stu007]

Hi Caggers

 

Thought this info may be of interest to anyone else dealing with Lowells amazing what you find doing a bit of digging on a company.

 

In September 2011 TDR Capital acquired Lowell Group from Exponent. This investment was particularly attractive due to the company’s significant asset base, attractive return-on-capital profile, market leadership and emphasis on careful customer management. The business has significant growth opportunities going forward both in its core sectors and in new industries, which are adopting debt sale strategies as part of their credit management processes.

 

TDR Capital

 

Founded in 2002, TDR Capital is a leading private equity firm with approximately €2.6 billion of commitments under management. Collectively, our team has completed transactions with aggregate purchase price in excess of €15 billion and has a track record of investing in businesses that have delivered excellent returns for investors.

 

When we partner with a company, we bring a vast network of resources, operational expertise and a pragmatic ability to make things happen.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Mackenzie Hall are part of this group now I believe.

[cerberusalert]

TDR Capital =

 

Lowell Group

Stonegate Pub Company

VPS Holdings

Pizza Express

Algeco

Phoenix Group

Williams Scotsman

ASK Central

LPR

Center Parcs UK

Rapala

Punch Taverns

Center Parcs Europe

Virgin Trains

 

Which would beg the question "what information is shared between these companies?".

 

E.g, Fred and his family go on a Center Parc holiday by Virgin trains and uses his credit card to pay. Plenty of info there I would think.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The mind boggles, and there is no practical

way of preventing the disemination of the

information they hold on any ''customer''.

[theghost]

You would have to tick that all important box that asks if they can share data amongst their group whe entering into any contract or agreement with any of them.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

And we have no idea what if any ''boxes'' have indeed been clicked.

[stu007]

Hi

 

I fully know it probably wont make a blind bit of difference but just to put a Spanner in Lowells me thinks now ceo of tdr capital also getting sent copies of lowells action and letters.

 

Hell why not they got a right to know the actions of one of there cowboy companies

[stu007]

Hi All

 

Just thought id drop in and say not forgot about this post and hope to have updates shortly and it does get better as now even Motormile Finance UK Ltd are now harassing veteran and letter sent to then due to call handlers shocking attitude fully recorded as well lol.

[Bazooka Boo]

He's clearly on a mugs list, a little like the junk mail you get saying you have won a new car, just reply to this address yadd ayadda yadda. IMO it will do him no harm to completely ignore anyone and everyone who is trying to con money out of him, all you need do is report all of them and make a formal complaint to the OFT&TS and his local MP. You keep talking to them then they will continue with this.

[stu007]

Hi Bazooka Boo

 

Fully agree but what he want to do is get all the evidence he can against these DCA CROOKS and there treatment of INNOCENT VICTIMS and then pass all his evidence onto his MP and if needed the Media.

 

As he puts it the DCAs have all this protection handed down to them by Government and illegally use this protection to 'Get Out of Jail Free' and nothing is actually ever done. They may ammend acts or legislation but they are still getting away with it.

 

The people they are chasing for actual debt may actually be in a vulnerable position but the way thye act is so draconian they may as well be standing over these people with a baseball bat or loaded gun the way they act.

 

Seems all you seem to get is 'Sorry it wont happen again' yeh right

 

As for the companies that pass the debts onto these DCAs they should also get it in the neck but how are they to know the actions of these DCAs when the refuse to give out the Clients details and hide behind a Government Act 'Data Protection Act'. (Because they dont want you letting the client know of there illegal actions as they would lose the business thats why).

[dx100uk]

unlawful not illegal

as much as we'd like to make it a criminal matter, its not sadly.

 

dx

[stu007]

Hi dx100uk

 

Fully see your point and agree.

[theghost]

wouldnt expect your MP to be able to do much to be honest.

 

What did TS do i nthe end?

 

What is this latest debt for? Is it the same as the previous ones?