@santanderbankgb Phillips Cohen for DLC trying to collect santander debt of deceased husband

[Anne Elizabeth]

I have today opened a letter from a company called Phillps Cohen,

addressed to the personal representative of xxxxxxx deceased, my late husband.

 

 

They are trying to collect a debt they claim to be over £11k, owed to Santander.

 

 

My husband died in September, after a four year battle against leukaemia,

so you can imagine the stress I have been under and still am.

 

 

I am not well due to all the stress of the last years and am just about coping but this letter is the last straw.

 

 

They even have the nerve to express their condolences!

 

 

They write as if they are solicitors but having searched the Internet,

I find that they are a debt collection agency, who try to collect debts from the deceased.

 

 

I think that the debt is for a loan or credit card, it's certainly not my debt.

In fact, I have checked and I believe it to be statue barred, as he paid nothing on it for seven years.

 

My husband's estate has been settled, there was no need for probate or letters of administration,

as the house, monies were in joint names and have now passed to me.

 

 

He did not leave a will, his death was unexpected, as he had had a successful bone marrow transplant.

They are trying to claim against the estate.

I do not want to write or speak to them, they disgust me and I know that further contact would cause me too much distress.

 

I would be so grateful for any advice you may be able to give to me.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Phillips and Cohen are well known here. Despite all the waffle about compassion on their website, their unsavoury activities cause significant distress to people.

 

Do you know what the debt relates to (e.g. credit card or loan)? Do you know for certain that nothing was paid for more than six years?

 

Some people will say ignore them, but my view is that it is best to deal with them at the outset, and get rid of them, than to have them pursuing you over a period of time.

[Anne Elizabeth]

Phillips and Cohen are well known here. Despite all the waffle about compassion on their website, their unsavoury activities cause significant distress to people.

 

Do you know what the debt relates to (e.g. credit card or loan)? Do you know for certain that nothing was paid for more than six years?

 

Some people will say ignore them, but my view is that it is best to deal with them at the outset, and get rid of them, than to have them pursuing you over a period of time.

 

Thank you so much for your prompt reply!

Yes, the debt would be for an unsecured loan and/or credit card, certainly nothing secured on property, etc.

 

 

I do think that my late husband had some argument with Santander about mis-sold PPI.

I'm sure, though, that the debt was nowhere near the amount of £11k!

It is certain that he has not paid anything for seven years,

I checked with Equifax, I think they are called, they confirmed this.

 

I am just so shocked to have received this letter,

I was very upset when I read it but after an Internet search,

realised just what kind of people I am dealing with.

[ScarletPimpernel]

One more question. Who are P&C acting for - the original creditor (Santander), or a debt purchasing company like Lowell?

[Bazooka Boo]

Ruddy parasites, I completely understand and wholly agree with you about this unethical outfit chasing after what they're not entitled too, really does peeve me right off!!

 

Anyhow I am sure that a more constructive letter to the one I'm going to link will be forthcoming, IMO I would send the clowns something along the lines of Arkell v Pressdram see how that floats their boat.

 

There is also a register that you can use to stop mail addressed to your late husband from being delivered, although it would of course not stop these begging letters from getting through.

http://www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk/index.htm

[Anne Elizabeth]

They are acting for a debt agency called Direct Legal and Collections, saying the original creditor is Santander. I must say, they really upset me, I am thinking they could make me sell the house, as it was in joint names. (Now in my sole name.)

[renegadeimp]

They cant touch you if the debt is SB. These parasites are ****. They couldnt care less about the law, or what happened to the original debtor, or even if the debt is SB. They will say and do whatever it takes to break you and get you to pay. You NEED to get your hard head on and beat them down.

[ScarletPimpernel]

If the debt is statute-barred there's nothing they can do about it.

 

You may like to send them a letter along these lines:

 

Dear Sirs

 

I refer to your letter dated xxxxx, the content of which has caused me considerable distress.

 

Whilst I do not accept any liability for my late husband's debt, I note that in any case the provisions of the Limitations Act 1980 mean that it is time-barred, the cause of action having occurred more than six years ago. For the avoidance of any doubt, even if I were liable no payment would be made. I am aware that the Financial Conduct Authority's CONC rules require you to cease all collection activities in these circumstances, and I therefore do not expect to hear from you again.

 

Yours etc.

 

Get a free proof of posting from the Post Office.

 

It goes without saying that you should never speak to these creatures on the telephone.

[Anne Elizabeth]

Oh, thank you so much. I feel better now. You have all been very helpful.

 

 

I've tried to reply to Bazooka Boo but it doesn't seem to go through?

 

 

This is my first time of using this site.

 

 

I'll do as you advise and let you know what happens.

 

 

Thank you and also to Bazooka Boo and renegadelmp.

 

 

How did they find out my husband has died though?! Will be in touch xx

[Anne Elizabeth]

If the debt is statute-barred there's nothing they can do about it.

 

You may like to send them a letter along these lines:

 

 

 

Get a free proof of posting from the Post Office.

 

It goes without saying that you should never speak to these creatures on the telephone.

 

In fact, they need to be stopped from sending letters such as they send to the bereaved people. I can't get over this, I was so shocked this morning. Most people would not know about this site and so would pla into their hands.

[ScarletPimpernel]

This firm is utterly unpleasant, and in my view their tactics are morally reprehensible.

 

However, I wouldn't waste a moment's thought on them. Don't let them intrude upon your life.

[Anne Elizabeth]

Thank you. I'm trying hard to rebuild my life and this sort of thing doesn't help! I shall take your advice, write to them and also not let them upset me. Thank you to all of you and I'll let you know what happens xx

[fkofilee]

Anne, please keep us posted.

Id like to see where this goes.

 

Sorry for your loss too.

[Anne Elizabeth]

Anne, please keep us posted.

Id like to see where this goes.

 

Sorry for your loss too.

 

Thank you so much for your kind wishes. I shall most certainly keep you informed of what happens when I write to them. I don't feel so alone in dealing with this now, I'm so grateful to you all xx

[Anne Elizabeth]

Thank you so much for your kind wishes. I shall most certainly keep you informed of what happens when I write to them. I don't feel so alone in dealing with this now, I'm so grateful to you all xx

 

I'm just thinking that they may ring me up, as I've read more posts on this very informative site. Maybe they will even pass this onto another company, when they realise they can't get any money! Human nature never ceases to amaze me but if this type of thing is happening, it's almost beyond belief!

[Anne Elizabeth]

I'm just thinking that they may ring me up, as I've read more posts on this very informative site. Maybe they will even pass this onto another company, when they realise they can't get any money! Human nature never ceases to amaze me but if this type of thing is happening, it's almost beyond belief!

 

Oh, Bazooka Boo! I've just read the link you provided, Arkell v. Pressdram. Yes, very to the point and saves a lot of printer ink! Wouldn't leave them in much doubt as to my sentiments! It may come to this, if they keep pestering! Thank you xx

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm just thinking that they may ring me up, as I've read more posts on this very informative site.

 

Not once you've written to them, or they'll be in breach of the CONC rules.

 

Don't worry about it, though. If they do ring - and I think it unlikely at this stage - just hang up. I think it's likely that their letter is testing the water; a speculative approach to see if you roll over and pay. Writing to them and making them aware that you aren't a pushover and know the rules puts you in control. On past experience they tend to pass the account back to the pond life who instructed them when they're challenged.

[Anne Elizabeth]

Not once you've written to them, or they'll be in breach of the CONC rules.

 

Don't worry about it, though. If they do ring - and I think it unlikely at this stage - just hang up. I think it's likely that their letter is testing the water; a speculative approach to see if you roll over and pay. Writing to them and making them aware that you aren't a pushover and know the rules puts you in control. On past experience they tend to pass the account back to the pond life who instructed them when they're challenged.

 

Thank you. I have caller display, so will know if they keep ringing. They're less than pond life, I've more respect for an amoeba! Will let you know wha happens with them.

[f16]

I read this this afternoon / evening.

What a disgrace !!!!

 

It's SB ... So they can go "Whistle".

 

If they continue after you send the letter then they are on "very thin ice"

Good Luck.

[dx100uk]

cohen are extremely well know for chasing debts owed by a deceased person

 

 

99/100 the state owes nowt to them anyhow.

 

 

if a debt does exist, write to the CEO of the company concerned

in this case satans bank.

 

 

dx

[Anne Elizabeth]

cohen are extremely well know for chasing debts owed by a deceased person

 

 

99/100 the state owes nowt to them anyhow.

 

 

if a debt does exist, write to the CEO of the company concerned

in this case satans bank.

 

 

dx

 

Thank you to you all for your advice.

 

 

The odd thing is, that I bank with Santander and they have said nothing about this when I told them my husband had died!

 

 

They even sorted our accounts into my sole name!

 

 

It's a strange world!

 

 

Will let you all know where this goes!

[Anne Elizabeth]

Hello everyone

 

I do hope that you've all had a lovely Christmas.

 

 

I'm sorry I haven't been back to you, as I've had some sort of flu bug and have been very unwell,

so not a good Christmas for me but hoping that 2015 will be better!

 

 

As I have been ill, I haven't written to Phillips Cohen yet, as Scarlet Pimpernel advised.

 

 

However, just to update you, I haven't received any further communication from them.

 

 

No doubt, they will persist!

 

 

I am just going to wait a few days to see if they write again and will keep you informed of what happens.

 

Just a thought or two

- there is no way that my husband would have been able to have a credit limit anywhere near to the 11k they quote!

 

 

He had been ill and not working for many years and no bank would have allowed him to have that kind of debt,

so where this 11k comes from, I don't know and they haven't given me a breakdown in their letter.

 

 

In any case, I know that he wasn't making any credit card payments in the last seven years of his life.

 

I shall keep you informed of any developments and after a few days will write, as I have been advised.

 

Thank you all again.

 

P.S. My second thought - do you think that these debt agencies read these posts? I expect they do!

[dx100uk]

good I hope they do.

 

 

we are here to expose all the DCA's that try and FLEECE PEOPLE BLIND.

 

 

dx

[Anne Elizabeth]

good I hope they do.

 

 

we are here to expose all the DCA's that try and FLEECE PEOPLE BLIND.

 

 

dx

 

 

No doubt they will be able to identify me from my posts!

 

 

I'd rather give all my money to leukaemia/cancer research than these people, even if it left me penniless!

 

 

Our society has just become so grasping and greedy.

 

 

The amount of 11k is absolutely ridiculous but I'm not going to ask them to give me a breakdown because I know it cannot be true

- I'll just send them the "go away" letter!

 

 

In any case, my poor husband had no estate left after four years of battling leukaemia,

with all the medical expenses and travel costs for eighty mile round trips to hospital,

not to mention my having to give up my work to care for him.

 

 

We got no benefits and so any savings were soon taken up!

Maybe they should find themselves in that situation!

[renegadeimp]

If the money isnt in the estate, and is in dispute, then the debts died with him... to put it bluntly. DCA's know this but since they are so pompous and greedy, they dont care and will STILL chase you for it.