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A very good afternoon to you all. I have visited the forums a number of times before, courtesy of Google results. There is a lot of very good advice and information here. I'd like to start by saying a big "Thank you" for that!
I've recently ignored some communications from Arrow Global Ltd, then Restons Solicitors. The former appeared out of the woodwork a couple of months ago, chasing an alleged outstanding amount of £324.58 and inviting me to make payment. I genuinely did not recognise anything about their claim - although I was familiar with Arrow themselves, having crossed swords with them in the past (an entirely separate issue, long since resolved). I treated their next letter the same, then proceeded to ignore two from Restons. I really did not think they would be silly enough to take the matter to court.
Lo and behold, an unfriendly looking brown envelope arrived, today, with a Northampton P.O. Box return address. Yes, they have been silly enough to do it.
In hindsight, I probably should have (at least) sent them a GFM (go forth and multiply) letter, stating that they were chasing ghosts and requesting some sort of proof to the contrary. But we're past that now - and it probably would not have made any difference, based on what my research about this duo indicates.
From the claim form: "The claimant claims payment of the overdue balance due from the Defendant under a contract between the Defendant and HFC Bank Limited dated on or about May 13 2009 and assigned to the Claimant on Nov 30 2015".
All news to me. The first I heard from Arrow Global Ltd was a couple of months ago!
The particulars of the claim included:
Date: 04/08/2017
Default Balance: £324.58
Default? I think I'd know about that!
I didn't want to enter into a protracted process, or use delay tactics. So, I filed a defence via MCOL today. The 'in a nutshell' version:
I do not recognise anything about the claim
No evidence has been provided to me by the claimant
I keep financial and related correspondence records going back 7 years - and they shed no light on it
I have checked my credit files - they show no trace of it (no default, no mention of HFC, or Arrow Global)
I stated I had no choice but to conclude either:
1. The claimant has made an error
2. Any dealings with HFC Bank Ltd that may have taken place did so a long time ago
On the basis that I cannot find any relevant correspondence, I could not have made any payment towards or acknowledgement of any outstanding amount within the last 6 years. I therefore defend my position on the basis that the alleged debt would be statute barred. I added a note stating that I truly believe that no debt actually exists.
And now, having provided some background, your thoughts, please:
Was it a bad decision to ignore Arrow/Restons? (I truly thought they were talking BS and their reputations preceded them)
Should I have acknowledged service, asked for time to prepare a defence and requested information/proof from the claimant?
Was it wise to defend based on what I believe to be an absolute defence (i.e. statute barred)?
What do you think Restons will do next?
Any other thoughts/advice will be gratefully received.
I've recently ignored some communications from Arrow Global Ltd, then Restons Solicitors. The former appeared out of the woodwork a couple of months ago, chasing an alleged outstanding amount of £324.58 and inviting me to make payment. I genuinely did not recognise anything about their claim - although I was familiar with Arrow themselves, having crossed swords with them in the past (an entirely separate issue, long since resolved). I treated their next letter the same, then proceeded to ignore two from Restons. I really did not think they would be silly enough to take the matter to court.
Lo and behold, an unfriendly looking brown envelope arrived, today, with a Northampton P.O. Box return address. Yes, they have been silly enough to do it.
In hindsight, I probably should have (at least) sent them a GFM (go forth and multiply) letter, stating that they were chasing ghosts and requesting some sort of proof to the contrary. But we're past that now - and it probably would not have made any difference, based on what my research about this duo indicates.
From the claim form: "The claimant claims payment of the overdue balance due from the Defendant under a contract between the Defendant and HFC Bank Limited dated on or about May 13 2009 and assigned to the Claimant on Nov 30 2015".
All news to me. The first I heard from Arrow Global Ltd was a couple of months ago!
The particulars of the claim included:
Date: 04/08/2017
Default Balance: £324.58
Default? I think I'd know about that!
I didn't want to enter into a protracted process, or use delay tactics. So, I filed a defence via MCOL today. The 'in a nutshell' version:
I do not recognise anything about the claim
No evidence has been provided to me by the claimant
I keep financial and related correspondence records going back 7 years - and they shed no light on it
I have checked my credit files - they show no trace of it (no default, no mention of HFC, or Arrow Global)
I stated I had no choice but to conclude either:
1. The claimant has made an error
2. Any dealings with HFC Bank Ltd that may have taken place did so a long time ago
On the basis that I cannot find any relevant correspondence, I could not have made any payment towards or acknowledgement of any outstanding amount within the last 6 years. I therefore defend my position on the basis that the alleged debt would be statute barred. I added a note stating that I truly believe that no debt actually exists.
And now, having provided some background, your thoughts, please:
Was it a bad decision to ignore Arrow/Restons? (I truly thought they were talking BS and their reputations preceded them)
Should I have acknowledged service, asked for time to prepare a defence and requested information/proof from the claimant?
Was it wise to defend based on what I believe to be an absolute defence (i.e. statute barred)?
What do you think Restons will do next?
Any other thoughts/advice will be gratefully received.
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