Link Financial & Bullying tactics

[trufflesbum]

I had a fixed sum loan, which was passed to Link Financial in Sept 2006. I haven't heard a thing from them until a couple of weeks ago. They claim nearly £7000 is owed. Original balance was around £3,500, but they've been adding interest.

 

They phoned a couple of weeks ago and stated I owed them this money.

Confused, I denied any knowledge.

 

They wouldn't tell me who they were, what they callers name was or what the balance was for,

just that they needed a payment over the phone now.

Obviously I refused.

 

They were rude and aggressive.

 

I asked to speak to a manager or supervisor, but they refused.

I asked them to put something in writing and I would respond.

They refused, stating that I owed the money, and that I had no right to refuse.

They also wouldn't give me a phone number to call them back (I had no intention of calling them, but wanted a phone number to check who they actually were!).

 

a letter arrives simply stating I owed them nearly £7000.

I wrote back with the 'prove it' letter, and did not acknowlege the debt.

They've written back with a copy of the original credit agreement,

which appears to be valid, having all the prescribed terms.

It doens't have my postcode on,

but I don't think this matters (but might be wrong?).

 

I've checked old bank statements (I love internet banking!)

and it would appear that my last payment on this was in September 2005.

I can't find any record of a payment since.

 

Am I right in thinking this would be statute barred?

 

What would my best course of action be now? I'm thinking a SAR would be best, as I don't want them to get wind that I'm planning to go down the SB route until I'm certain it's out of time. I'd like to see their records of any payments made.

 

My letter also asked that they stop calling me and only communicate by letter, and yet since their reply I've had two answerphone messages from them. They claim to be from 'Real' rather than Link, but the phone number and reference are the same. Seems very misleading to me, as well as completely disregarding my letter.

 

Finally, they haven't written to me at all in 6 years. They have definitely not sent me statement each year (as I think they have to, particularly as they're still adding interest. Happy to be corrected). If it isn't statute barred, can I have the interest removed from the time in which they haven't sent statements?

 

They are rude, aggressive and misleading and are intent on making me pay using bullying and underhand tactics. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Thank you.

[dx100uk]

yes and stay off that phone

 

link are VERY well renound for spoofing people

into paying debts they DO NOT OWE

 

as a double check.

 

check your cra file.

 

they have no legal powers anyway

so safe to ignore them.

 

dx

[Bazooka Boo]

Complain to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/UsefulContactsByCategory/Governmentcitizensandrightscontacts/DG_195948

 

Do it today.

Stay off the phone to them, or simply answer laugh and hang up.

 

If you wish you can send them the SB letter, it is for them to prove it isn't SB so the ball will be in their court.

[trufflesbum]

Thank you. Will complain - I've never come across a ruder bunch of DCA's (and I've had contact with enough, unfortunately!).

 

If I send the SB letter, is it more likely to make them chase it if it isn't barred? Is there any way to find out if it is barred? They strike as the sort that would fudge paperwork to show a spoof payment. This made me wonder whether a SAR request would be better. That way I'd know which would be the best route.

 

Thanks again.

[dx100uk]

check your cra file

 

dx

[Bazooka Boo]

Have you checked your credit file? and see if there is anything on their?

[trufflesbum]

I haven't checked my CR file - I'm worried this might throw up anything else lurking in the past! Is this likely?

[ScarletPimpernel]

If, after checking your CRA file, you write to tell Link that the debt is statute barred, ensure you make clear that no money will be forthcoming - the OFT guidance allows them to pursue SB debt except where they've been made aware that the debtor won't be paying.

[electricsilver]

If, after checking your CRA file, you write to tell Link that the debt is statute barred, ensure you make clear that no money will be forthcoming - the OFT guidance allows them to pursue SB debt except where they've been made aware that the debtor won't be paying.

 

I've never heard of this before. Can you give any further info on where this guidance comes from. Many thanks.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I've never heard of this before. Can you give any further info on where this guidance comes from. Many thanks.

 

See the OFT Guidance on Debt Collection, stickied in this forum.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The OFT considers it unfair to pursue for payment

od a debt that is Statute Barred once the debtor has

informed the creditor that the debt IS time barred

and that they will not be paying.

To continue to pursue after this could amount to

harassment.