JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

[caligirl]

Hello,

Writing to see if anyone has dealt with a similar situation...

My husband is in the military and due to his frequent location change, he has registered his permanent location as his mothers address. Well, we just got married and tried to finance a car, in which he got denied (I am from the US, so do not have credit history yet, had to be in his name). Anyways, he thought it was due to lack of credit, given he has never put himself in debt... but I got a little curious and tried checking his credit. Experian would not allow access to his report until he verified his identity through post, which was being sent to his mother's address... so he ended up paying for a year and a half of the service... without actually getting access, because he was told the mail was never received!

Long story short... I finally was able to obtain a credit report, through a different service... only to find that he had two defaulted accounts that were five years old. I managed to get one removed... which just leaves him with one... a £185 debt with Lowell, with the original account being a mail order account from JD WIlliams. After months and months of very frustrating research... its become obvious it was his mom (he was deployed the time the account was opened). Lowell has been investigating, but just found out they have rejected the dispute.

I have already filed a fraudulent dispute with the fraud action dept months ago and after looking into it further realized it was his mom. Because of the address history, he has never been notified and we just found out after gaining access to his credit report. She claims she doesn't remember anything (shes ill and has had numerous strokes etc), but has agreed to take blame.

It is the only thing ruining his credit, but we are nervous to have his mom come forward on the chance that she will be arrested or something to that extent and cannot handle those fees nor her being sent to jail with her condition. We are willing to pay the outstanding balance, but need it wiped from his record and put on hers. Does anyone know the implications she will get? She also has a record of doing similar things in the past, hence her inability to open anything in her name. Any advice/help would be appreciated!

[Kati]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

[MENTION=55034]nemesis45[/MENTION] might be able to advise (I've tagged him ) xx

[nemesis45]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Hello,

Writing to see if anyone has dealt with a similar situation...

My husband is in the military and due to his frequent location change, he has registered his permanent location as his mothers address. Well, we just got married and tried to finance a car, in which he got denied (I am from the US, so do not have credit history yet, had to be in his name). Anyways, he thought it was due to lack of credit, given he has never put himself in debt... but I got a little curious and tried checking his credit. Experian would not allow access to his report until he verified his identity through post, which was being sent to his mother's address... so he ended up paying for a year and a half of the service... without actually getting access, because he was told the mail was never received!

Long story short... I finally was able to obtain a credit report, through a different service... only to find that he had two defaulted accounts that were five years old. I managed to get one removed... which just leaves him with one... a £185 debt with Lowell, with the original account being a mail order account from JD WIlliams. After months and months of very frustrating research... its become obvious it was his mom (he was deployed the time the account was opened). Lowell has been investigating, but just found out they have rejected the dispute.

I have already filed a fraudulent dispute with the fraud action dept months ago and after looking into it further realized it was his mom. Because of the address history, he has never been notified and we just found out after gaining access to his credit report. She claims she doesn't remember anything (shes ill and has had numerous strokes etc), but has agreed to take blame.

It is the only thing ruining his credit, but we are nervous to have his mom come forward on the chance that she will be arrested or something to that extent and cannot handle those fees nor her being sent to jail with her condition. We are willing to pay the outstanding balance, but need it wiped from his record and put on hers. Does anyone know the implications she will get? She also has a record of doing similar things in the past, hence her inability to open anything in her name. Any advice/help would be appreciated!

Good evening welcome to LB,
I wish I could say that this situation is unusual, but after many years of military legal experience I have to say it's not.

Please be assured the likely hood of MIL bein arrested does is vanishingly small debt is a civil matter in the UK.

It is an embarrassingly stupid thing to have done, and she will have to admit to doing this and pay the outstanding
amount.

Have you contacted Lowell yet?
The person at Lowell to contact (in writing only) is the chief operating officer Andrew Bartle, you will need
mums " confession" preferably witnessed by an independent party, the payment and a plea for the default
either to be removed ( it should stay on file for 6 years from the default date) or changed to mums name.
It would be worth mentioning her health problems too.

The implications for mum are zero!! Getting Lowell to co operate is the problem.

I can assist with drafts if needed. Just tag [MENTION=55034]nemesis45[/MENTION].

nem

[nemesis45]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Just tried to edit in something but the data was not added.

Just to say that the approach suggested has had more effect than
the usual denial letters e.g. " I am not now nor ever have been a client of xxxxxx and have not ordered or received goods
from them".

nem

- - - Updated - - -

@nemesis45 might be able to advise (I've tagged him ) xx

Than you [MENTION=49370]Kati[/MENTION] Have responded xx

[caligirl]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Good evening welcome to LB,
I wish I could say that this situation is unusual, but after many years of military legal experience I have to say it's not.

Please be assured the likely hood of MIL bein arrested does is vanishingly small debt is a civil matter in the UK.

It is an embarrassingly stupid thing to have done, and she will have to admit to doing this and pay the outstanding
amount.

Have you contacted Lowell yet?
The person at Lowell to contact (in writing only) is the chief operating officer Andrew Bartle, you will need
mums " confession" preferably witnessed by an independent party, the payment and a plea for the default
either to be removed ( it should stay on file for 6 years from the default date) or changed to mums name.
It would be worth mentioning her health problems too.

The implications for mum are zero!! Getting Lowell to co operate is the problem.

I can assist with drafts if needed. Just tag @nemesis45.

nem

Just today, we have written up a letter and had her sign, saying that she admits fault and would like everything to be transferred to her name. Problem is... she clearly has a bad standing and unable to obtain credit on her own. So, I doubt they will be eager to jump at the chance of switching it to her on "good faith". Also, we will be paying any debt... assuming they will give her a hefty fine on top of the current debt, scared of what that might be. Any idea?

- - - Updated - - -

And thank you for the response!! this is all very stressful and very much appreciated!

[nemesis45]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

[QUOTE=caligirl;605031]Just today, we have written up a letter and had her sign, saying that she admits fault and would like everything to be transferred to her name. Problem is... she clearly has a bad standing and unable to obtain credit on her own. So, I doubt they will be eager to jump at the chance of switching it to her on "good faith". Also, we will be paying any debt... assuming they will give her a hefty fine on top of the current debt, scared of what that might be. Any idea?

Hi, There are NO FINES in this situations Fines in the UK relate to criminal matters, Debt Purchasers such as Lowell have No legal powers they can only act via the civil law courts.
Believe me this is NOT going to result in fines/prison bailffs or any other action if the debt is paid that from that point of view is most certainly it.

No more stress!!

nem

- - - Updated - - -

[caligirl]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Thank you for your help! Fingers crossed this is handled smoothly from here on out

[FrazCam15]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Hi, have you had any luck with Lowell transferring the debt to MIL and removing the default from your Credit File? I am unfortunately in a very similar situation with a close family member that opened an account with JD Williams without my knowledge. I only found out about 2 days ago when I received a letter from Lowell stating I owe over £3000. I only ever used Exerian for my credit file and with them I have a perfect score and I have never made a late payment on any of my credit accounts. So when I checked with CallCredit and Equifax I was shocked to see the defaulted account, not to mention angry.
What said family member done was seriously stupid...reckless...inconsiderate etc etc etc, but I do not want to go down the Fraud route as this mess does not just involve us but will affect others (including a child).
If this person admits liability for the debt (they have already agreed to this) what are the chances of Lowell transferring the debt to them and removing the wrongful default from my file?
I have to add that the details on the letter from Lowell are wrong. They have named me as a MISTER and the address the debt was registered to doesn't even exist. Would it be fair to say that JD Williams were irresponsible by approving credit without doing the proper checks?
In the meantime should I dispute the default with callcredit so it noted that I do not recognise the debt or account?

Sorry for the long rant but I would just like to sort this without involving authorities so I can get this default removed and we can get on with our lives and repair damaged relationships.

Thanks in advance for any advice

[wales01man]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Hard to think Lowells will transfer a debt unless the person who committed the fraud was charged by the Police does not make commercial sense if this is the only blot on your credit record its a powerful tool for them to use to get the money.
At least contact Lowell about the debt with the facts they may turn it over to the other person

[nemesis45]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

Write to Andrew Bartle COO of the Lowell Group, put the facts /evidence to him.

nem

[FrazCam15]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

I intend to write to him. When I do should I write a cover letter stating as you said the facts and outlining the situation. Should I include a contract between the original debtor and myself that states he accepts full responsibility for the debt, that we will enter into a payment plan and wishes for the default to be added to his own credit profile and removed from my own. Contract signed by both of us and an independent witness.
I understand it's not all as simple as I wish it could be but I'm hoping to for a resolution.

[nemesis45]

Re: JD Williams and Lowell - fraudulent account

I intend to write to him. When I do should I write a cover letter stating as you said the facts and outlining the situation. Should I include a contract between the original debtor and myself that states he accepts full responsibility for the debt, that we will enter into a payment plan and wishes for the default to be added to his own credit profile and removed from my own. Contract signed by both of us and an independent witness.
I understand it's not all as simple as I wish it could be but I'm hoping to for a resolution.

It worth a try, send copies of everything you have to support your request.
nem