Provident debt collector doorstep visit for a non provident debt?

[snugs1235]

Hi,

 

Im a little curious for any advice or knowledge from others in the same situation.

 

Whilst I was not at home today a person knocked my door. He told my husband he worked for provident and he has bought one of my debts and would like to speak to me about repayment. My husband asked to make sure if this was a debt that I had with provident and the man said no it wasnt.

 

About two weeks ago a provident advert card was put through my door with my name on it offering me a £100 loan if I called the number. I have not called them.

 

I have never dealt with provident in any way.

 

Can they just buy a debt in this way? I do have a debt with another company but that is one that I disagree I owe and am disputing with them. Something here seems fishy though.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Ell-enn]

Provident have bought a load of loans (probably for peanuts) and are offering to give you a Provident loan to pay it off. The loans are supposedly interest free but - for example - they probably bought a £100 debt for £5 so will make £95 out of it

[snugs1235]

Thank you for that Ell-enn.

 

Hopefully as they got the debt cheap they wont be too unhappy when I dont agree to pay them

[citizenB]

It is my understanding they cannot encourage you to take out a loan to repay a debt:| It is against OFT guidelines.

 

It also removes any protection under the CCA1974 for the debt you already have if you enter into a new agreement.

[unclebulgaria67]

The debt may be a very old one and therefore statute barred.

 

A relative was offered a loan for an 8 year old catalogue debt, when the catalogue company had not previously chased for the debt themselves.

 

Just tell them you are not interested, if they enquire again. You will then hear no more.

[Jam_Buttie]

Greenwoods do the same. Owned by the same b****s as Provident anyway.

 

Come around doorstepping to get older loans from other comapnies paid.

[dx100uk]

this will be there little spoof called fresh start

 

just type that in our search top right and get reading.

 

dont fall for it!!

 

i've moved this thread to the provi forum too

 

dx

[Jam_Buttie]

I get sick to death of phone calls from Fresh Start.

[citizenB]

He told my husband he worked for provident and he has bought one of my debts

 

This is not on either - they should not be discussing your debts with anyone other than you !

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Complaint to OFT on breach of guidance section 3.7 (b) States: Pressurising debtors to raise funds by selling property or taking on further borrowing (including extending existing borrowing).

 

Improper/unfair business practice.

 

So contant calls or visits can be seen as pressure a very clear breach.

[snugs1235]

Thank you all for your advice. I was a bit miffed that the bloke told my husband all about it, but fortunatley my husband knows everything everyway.

[Ell-enn]

Get a letter of complaint to them citing breach of the DPA by telling your husband what he was calling for. Mark the letter FORMAL COMPLAINT and ask them to deal with it under their complaints procedure.

[PaulW922]

Just as an aside,

Provident CAN offer you a new loan to pay the old one if it is interest free.

 

Provident loans show up, on your credit file so if you pay back the debt it will be positive information.

 

However I agree you must check that the debt is valid first.

 

Additionally I agree that they should not have discussed your affairs with someone else.

 

But you really need to be sure the debt is unenforceable before telling them 'no'.

[sillygirl1]

I think that should be altered to Provident think they can..... hoping to catch uninformed punters out by calling on them at home.

[PaulW922]

No, my post is what I want it to be.

[dx100uk]

its for provi to PROVE the debt is owed

 

not the punter.

 

dont fall for the fresh start game

 

you are then acking the debt.

 

dx

[PaulW922]

And I never suggested otherwise. I think the OP needs to bear in mind that if Provident CAN prove the debt she may be missing the opportunity to come to an agreement.

[dx100uk]

provi only ever try it on with lemon debts

no-one e lse will touch with a barge pole.

 

dont do it!

 

dx

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I'll stick to my opinion the OFT Guidance section 3.7 (b) applies interest free or not.

[snugs1235]

Thanks for all the advice.

 

I do agree with Brigadier, dx and sillygirl.

 

I have not heard from provident again, so perhaps they have given up.

 

If they do come back I am not going to agree to have any 'loan' with them though. They will need to have clear proof that there is a debt that is owed and that they have the right to ask for payment and then I would offer some form of payment, but I wont be taking out any loan.

[sillygirl1]

My advice is to totally ignore them again should they come back, the debt may be nearly statute barred and you might get caught in their trap.

 

Ignore them is the best advice.

 

Don't ask for information, don't CCA them (they won't have any paperwork so you would be wasting your time) so don't give yourself more hassle.