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Hi All - Problems with Hoist, Robinson Way and hc & Co Solicitors - Help Needed

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  • Hi All - Problems with Hoist, Robinson Way and hc & Co Solicitors - Help Needed

    Hi All,
    I am looking for advice on where to turn now.

    In 2003 I opened a Tesco Credit card, in 2006 both myself and wife hit hard times and the account fell into arrears. Trying to maintain that and other spiralling debts due to a failed business became a day to day struggle. This debt increased due to poor lending and ended up owing £92,000. In 2008 myself and my wife split, the house was sold and by negotiations all bar Tesco were settled. Tesco at the time were being managed by Robinson way who point blank refused any settlement amount. I didn't hear anything from this debt until around 2012. I was contacted by Robinson Way who started chasing me for the £4700 still owed to Tesco, I asked for proof of the debt at the time but had no replies from that point.
    That was it until April of last year when I started getting calls and letters, when they were asked for proof of the debt I again heard nothing back from them for months. Then it started again. At this point I suggested to Robinson Way that the account was statute barred, all correspondence to Robinson Way was marked ' Firstly, no debt is acknowledged to you.' There reply to this was it was not Statute Barred and said a payment had been made to Tesco in July 2013, a payment of which I DO NOT remember ever making. They have since sent me copies of statements upto 2006 and a single statement on 2013 showing a payment to Tesco plus the CCA.
    I have since requested proof of this payment i.e where it came from etc, for which I have never had a reply. Three similar letters have been sent all with the finishing statement 'YOU MUST ALSO TREAT THIS AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT, AND AS SUCH I REQUIRE A COPY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND A RESPONSE TO TAKE TO THE FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN.' Again to which I have had no response. All letters were sent recorded but unfortunately I have only got 3 of the recorded receipts. Do they not have to respond to this??
    I also had a letter from Hoist Finance in October titled 'Notice of Assignment', I hadn't got a clue what this was, didn't understand any of the legal jargon and so was filled away.
    Constantly now being bombarded with letters and calls from Robinson was, early mornings at the weekend, late at night etc, this however I can not prove.
    On the 30th January I received a 'Letter of Claim' from Howard Cohen Solicitors, now that has frightened me! The letter said Hoist had bought the debt and legally assigned it on 22/10/2018.
    I called them to explain I hadn't received satisfactory responses from Robinson way to which they transferred me to Robinson way (Are they in the same building or are they all the same company?)
    Again I requested proof that I actually paid that amount in 2013, the employee was not very helpful to say the least but did say he would send out the info and put account on hold for 30 days.
    A few days later I received a letter from them with copies of all that they had sent previously ie CCA and statements.The letter said I had 14 days to respond. dated 14/02/2019

    I have since done some investigating myself, spoken to my bank and to Tesco.
    Tesco : They still have the account on file but it was sold on to Hoist in January 2016 (News to me!!!!)
    Bank : The payment in 2013 was to Robinson Way to the value of £5 by way of a direct debit (News to me!!!) I asked if they had a copy of the said DD but apparently do not have files going back that far.
    On further digging these £5 payments had started 10 months prior, again to which I have NO recollection. Can they assume the DD on behalf of Tesco, if so is it legal? I wouldn't have set anything up because I remember asking for proof of the debt but had no response.

    I really don't know which way to turn, I haven't yet accepted responsibility for the outstanding debt and am very wary of what to do next so not to stitch myself up.
    I am in no financial position to clear the money nor have any spare money each month to stat a payment plan, please help, this is really worrying me and getting me down.

    Any help is much appreciated.
    Tags: None

  • #2
    Just to clarify the CCA I have received has no signatures on it? Does this matter?

    Comment


    • #3
      The bank is talking tosh.
      They must keep records for at least 6 years (& most of them keep records way beyond that).
      Make a formal Subject Access Request request for Info pertaining to the relevant time (say mid 2012 to end 2013).

      https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...ccess-request/
      CAVEAT LECTOR

      This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

      You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
      Cohen, Herb


      There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
      gets his brain a-going.
      Phelps, C. C.


      "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
      The last words of John Sedgwick

      Comment


      • #4
        The first payment was around Feb 2012 so I would presume that if there was anything set up 'highly doubt' then it would be over 6 years ago,

        I have also looked at the CCA since my initial post and it is a 'RECONSTITUTED' CCA with no signature?

        Comment


        • #5
          I have a sneaky feeling that the date of the last of these token payments may well be of importance here.

          You need to find out when the agreement had been terminated. Any idea? (Off the top of your head, that is).

          My feeling is that it may have been some time earlier (early 2012, maybe even 2011), but you can probably find that out. (Another SAR, this time to the original creditor, Tesco).

          In any event, you do need to source any documented info available.

          Unfortunately, due to a court case some years back (Carey v HSBC), recon agreements are acceptable to courts as proof, as long as they accurately reflect the original agreement.

          & signatures are not needed on recons.
          & if you applied originally online, it wouldn't have a 'wet-ink' signature anyway.
          A tick-box suffices in it's stead.
          Last edited by charitynjw; 25th February 2019, 15:38:PM.
          CAVEAT LECTOR

          This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

          You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
          Cohen, Herb


          There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
          gets his brain a-going.
          Phelps, C. C.


          "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
          The last words of John Sedgwick

          Comment


          • #6
            When you say agreement terminated do you mean to Tesco?

            Judging by the statements I have received (Latest one was 2006 statement then the next I have been sent was 2013 showing payment of £5) the last payment was prior to 2009 at a guess.

            Comment


            • #7
              Yes, the Consumer Credit agreement with Tesco.
              If I were a betting sort I would bet that the agreement was terminated well over 6 years ago.
              Unfortunately, the token payments are an acknowledgement of the alleged debt, which Hoist now own.
              That would be why the date of the last of these is important (assuming that you haven't acknowledged the alleged debt in writing since then.)

              Documentary evidence is vitally important.

              If I'm assuming correctly here, then you are fast approaching Stat Barred.
              & Hoist have bought a debt which has a very short shelf life (mid 2019), probably for next to nothing.
              They (& their minions) are now chasing it like mad, hoping that you will cough up.
              CAVEAT LECTOR

              This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

              You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
              Cohen, Herb


              There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
              gets his brain a-going.
              Phelps, C. C.


              "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
              The last words of John Sedgwick

              Comment


              • #8
                Ok thanks for that I will get on to it this morning.

                I have 2 Questions

                1. Do I reply to Howard Cohen using their Info sheet ticking the box 'Dispute the Debt' whilst I get the SAR to buy some time?
                2. Also does the CCA need to signed by me? I is actually a 'RECONSTITUTED' CCA with no signature, should I request a signed copy from Howard Cohen?

                Comment


                • #9
                  1. Is it a hard copy form which you fill in & return? Personally I don't trust that kind of thing as they are too easily slanted in their favour, & as for online forms.....don't get me started! Much better to draft your own correspondence. In the first instance I would send via land mail (get proof of posting.) You could, in the letter, invite them to further correspond by email, but again I wouldn't. (Makes it to easy to pester.) & tactically you want to slow down proceedings.....why give them the edge?

                  2. See post #5
                  CAVEAT LECTOR

                  This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

                  You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
                  Cohen, Herb


                  There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
                  gets his brain a-going.
                  Phelps, C. C.


                  "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
                  The last words of John Sedgwick

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Point 2. My apologies I missed that on your previous response. The CCA is a single page with no T&Cs. I will forward a copy on my return if that's ok.
                    Thank you for your support, such a relief just to be able to bounce this off someone.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      It sounds like a protocol letter has been sent to you, if thats the case you must reply to it other wise a claim could be issued against you if you dont reply, and if there is no good reason for not responding then you could be sanctioned in costs.

                      Ill go through the post above in more detail when i get a second, but what is the deadline for a reply at this stage to Howard Cohen?
                      I work for Roach Pittis Solicitors. I give my free time available to helping other on the forum and would be happy to try and assist informally where needed. Any posts I make on LegalBeagles are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as legal advice. Any advice I provide is without liability.

                      If you need to contact me please email me on Pt@roachpittis.co.uk .

                      I have been involved in leading consumer credit and data protection cases including Harrison v Link Financial Limited (High Court), Grace v Blackhorse (Court of Appeal) and also Kotecha v Phoenix Recoveries (Court of Appeal) along with a number of other reported cases and often blog about all things consumer law orientated.

                      You can also follow my blog on consumer credit here.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi PT2537

                        The Letter of claim offers their intention to issue proceedings. You are required to make payment of this outstanding balance within the next 30 days. Letter dated 30/01/2019

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Have attached both the CCA and Letter of claim
                          Attached Files

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Attaching Letter of Assignment too.

                            This says it was assigned in 2018 however Tesco say it was sold in Jan 2016
                            Attached Files

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              In addition in regards to accepting liability each letter had one of the following :

                              "Firstly, no debt is acknowledged to you." or "You have contacted me about the account with the above reference number, which you claim I owe. I do not admit any liability for your claim."

                              On the letters I also concluded
                              "Unless you can provide evidence of payment, written acknowledgement of any outstanding debt in the last six years and a copy of the signed credit agreement, please do not contact me any further.
                              Should you continue to harass me regarding this alleged debt without providing the documentation required then a complaint will be made to the Financial Services Ombudsman without further notice.
                              YOU MUST ALSO TREAT THIS AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT, AND AS SUCH I REQUIRE A COPY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND A RESPONSE TO TAKE TO THE FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SOMETHING THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN REQUESTED HOWEVER HAS BEEN WITHELD.
                              In addition, this letter will be brought to the attention of the court if any proceedings are issued in respect of the above."

                              Comment

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