RED debt collection

[eddiefox]

Hi,

I am an international student staying in UK for brief periods of 4-5 months every year. I unfortunately have a debt I owe O2 of 493£ from 3 years ago. I am in a bad shape now and am leading a hand to mouth existence.

I recieved an e-mail recently from Lowell, offering me a settlement plan of a one time 290£. I was in my home country then and wrote back to them saying I may not come back to UK but would still settle for 150£ which is all i had in my UK account. They never responded to it.

I am now in UK for a couple of months and I received a letter from RED asking for full payment or repayment option. I ignored it and have received a second letter now warning legal action.

I am sorry about it but I dont have the money to pay them currently. I am going back to my home country for 4 months and am off next week. I will come back later in the year and will move in to a new address. Will they find me again and how do they do it?

Also, will it show up on my Visa or when I return to the country, will I be quizzed by immigration? (sounds unlikely but am worried)

Finally, can I hold on by evading them till I am ready to pay them? What wll be their future course of action?

Please advice.

Ed

[dx100uk]

ignore

 

they have no legal powers at all.

 

they cannot arrest mark your visa or anything of the sort

 

debt s in this country are NOT a crimial offence

FORGET ALL ABOUT IT

 

dx

[eddiefox]

Thanks Dx! That's reassuring.

 

Also, I wanted to ask anyone 'Is there any way I can reduce my debt and pay it off in monthly installments I can afford?' I don't want to deal with RED as they are notoriously unhelpful is what I have found all across the web. Can I contact any free service who will negotiate on my behalf?

[cerberusalert]

Red are part of the Lowell group.

 

You only have to pay them at a rate which you can afford even if that's a few pounds per month. They are unlikely to apply for a CCJ if you come to an arrangement with them. Even if they did obtain a CCJ a judge would look at your circumstances and make a repayment order which would reflect them.

 

Just email them and tell them you are willing to pay X amount per month & then set up a Standing Order (not a Direct Debit). Their bank details should be on the reverse of their letter. It should give their sort code, a/c number. The reference number for your a/c on their letter is the only other thing you need to set up a Standing Order.