Lowell / 1st Credit

[Magicpant5]

So, I had a rough time a few years ago, ran up some debt, got some defaults and now I've got myself sorted I'm trying to fix it all up.

 

Debt details:

 

A wonga loan (around 1k)

An unauthorised overdraft (500)

A credit card (1k)

A telecoms (250)

There may be another, smaller payday loan but I think I paid it off

These are all from three years ago.

There may be more oustanding debts from student days, but this would be 10+ years ago and I haven't heard a peep about them.

 

Now, Wonga wrote to me last year to say I couldn't afford the loan and so they bought it back and wrote it off. I've kept the email. I can see on my credit files (all three) that they've honoured this pledge as all wonga loans (under quickbridge) are marked settled balance zero, no record of default.

 

The telecoms amount I was chased by Lowell and settled at 85% discount. That's now also marked as settled, balance zero, default will drop off in three years.

 

I'm paying off the credit card to Lowell at 40 a month to 70% of the total. The default will also drop off in three years.

 

Here's the thing: I'm happy as long as hear defaults will clear so I can get a mortgage in three years or so. That's my prime motivation.

 

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from 1st credit looking to contact me. It's to my full name at my correct address which is only very recent.

 

After reading some of the horror stories about 1st credit on here, I'm now a bit worried.

 

I've emailed them to ask what it's about, given them no further details (they asked for my DOB and phone number) and indicated I don't think I'm the person they're looking for.

 

Here are my theories:

 

-Lowell have, for some reason, passed the credit card in repayment to them (but why when I'm being a cash cow?)

-they're contacting me about the overdraft debt or one of the much older debts? (But why not say what or who?)

- Because I've been checking credit files/corresponding with a DCA, heyre 'fishing' for a debt to chase me for???

 

What do you think, and what do you think (if anything) I should do?

 

Pledge to give full updates as matters progress...

 

Ciao

 

Oh - also worried, thanks to some of the horror stories - that they may be aware this house was recently bought and they're hoping to get it or something.

 

Now the house isn't mine and I have no beneficial interest in it at all, but after the stories I imagine nothing would put these people off.

 

Cheers

[dx100uk]

might be best you start a new thread on each debt

in the named bank forum of the original creditor

off the main forum tab top left

 

 

just remember the golden rule mind

 

 

a DCA is NOT A BAILIFF

and has

NO SUCH LEGAL POWERS

 

 

dx

[Magicpant5]

Thank you. To be clear, the only thing I'm worried about is the letter from 1st credit, after reading about them, just posted the rest for full background disclosure.

 

 

To be honest, I think I'll just ignore them completely from Joe until-

1) they tell me they're acting on a debt I recognise;

2) it's not one from ten years ago, and;

3) I've SAR 'd whichever OC it is to discover that it's actually been passed to 11st credit

[dx100uk]

I wouldn't waste the money TBH..

 

 

until/unless you get a better clue that is

then post back.

 

 

most people fall foul of dca's because they needlessly enter into lettertennis and get spoofed

ans scared by them

or they get a claimform and don't defend the claim properly with our help.

 

 

dx

[Magicpant5]

Thanks again

 

Out of interest, do you think they could be 'fishing' for a debt to chase?

 

 

Could they have access to my credit file, having had no dealings with me?

 

 

Are they known to have 'fished' before?

 

 

If they are acting for someone, shouldn't they just say who?

 

Cheers

[dx100uk]

they will own one of the debts.

 

 

should be stated as such on your credit file.

 

 

the issue you have

 

 

is you've F&F 'd a debt with a DCA

and most prob one that you didn't need too.

 

 

that shows you're a bit green with

how DCA work and that effectively they have no legal powers whatsoever

 

 

but

you've cough'd, we call it being cash cowed/spoofed.

paying a debt off doesn't improve you credit file at all

 

 

the default is there for 6yrs regardless then the whole debt entry vanishes from your file

 

 

doesn't mean the debt itself might not be owed

mind

[Magicpant5]

I know you call it 'cash cowed' in fact I used the term myself in my OP. I'm comfortable with that arrangement, as long as it stays that way until satisfied.

 

Neither do I mind being a bit green.

 

what troubles me is why 1st credit haven't said who they're acting for/what debt it is. It suggests to me they're fishing for something they don't know. Don't worry - not going to give them a single inch of further info.

[dx100uk]

:rockon:

[fkofilee]

I know you call it 'cash cowed' in fact I used the term myself in my OP. I'm comfortable with that arrangement, as long as it stays that way until satisfied.

 

Neither do I mind being a bit green.

 

what troubles me is why 1st credit haven't said who they're acting for/what debt it is. It suggests to me they're fishing for something they don't know. Don't worry - not going to give them a single inch of further info.

 

This is normal for DCAs trying to establish first contact. Dont bite, and lets see...

 

FWIW, 1st credit normally do Loans OD and CC but never seen them with Telecoms accounts. They work just around the corner from me and I conductively can tell you, butting their heads together will not make them any smarter

So dont bite for now.

[Magicpant5]

As I predicted:

"Dear NAME

 

 

Thank you for contacting 1st Credit.

 

To enable us to discuss this matter via email we would appreciate it if you would confirm the following details for us within the next 7 days:

* Date of Birth:*

Previous postal Address:

 

Once this information has been confirmed we will then be able to discuss this matter with you.

 

This will give us authorisation to write to you via email while ensuring we are complying with data protection legislation.

 

Should no contact be forthcoming, your account may be subject to further letters, telephone calls, SMS and emails.

 

Yours sincerely,"

 

To which I replied,

no you can't have any personal details,

I don't know you,

I have no business with you and don't contact me again because I will not reply while I know of no business I have with you.

And I shan't reply unless I get anything new.

 

I double-checked my credit files - none of the debts have changed from the creditor they were to '1st credit' and there is no search there for 1st credit.

 

Ciao

[ericsbrother]

they dont know who you are, they use the info from a CRA algorithm and send the same letter out to anyone who is close enough to the person they are after to give them a fair chance of being the person they want. It could be 10% or 90% fit, only they know how wide the net is cast

[Magicpant5]

You're right - received this this morning:

 

"We have removed your email address from our current contact details and apologise for any inconvenience caused, this is by no means our intention."

 

It's angering - clearly they were just fishing for a debt to chase on the off-chance I had another, given I've been paying one to another DCA.

 

I think it's appalling they do this, asking for personal details etc.

 

Is there anyone this activity is reportable to?

 

Ciao

[Magicpant5]

Yes - it does bother me that I'm funding their activities as, even though I morally owe the debt, I hate the way these charlatans think they can make the rules up as they see fit.

 

However - I thought doing a CCA request was seen as outdated these days? Ie agencies have been provoked to get very defensive/play the game by following that route and, people have been losing in court against them...?

 

Please correct me if wrong

[theoldrouge]

a CCA request is your Statutory right, its a legitimate request for information

 

 

https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/CONC/13.pdf

[Magicpant5]

Update: one of the debts with Low, havung been satisfied at about 10%, had been taken off ALL of my credit Giles, default and all. At first i thought this was just while they updated, but Month after month it remains absent from all three CRA.

 

I might see if i can negotiate similar goodwill on the other one (which is in a long term payment plan)