Mobile Debt!! Help TT

[SilentDebt]

Hi guys,

Back to 2008, i had two contracts with o2. There was a time that my father was really ill, so i had to rush back to my country ( I was an international student) Unfortunately, my father passed away, so i didn't get a chance to come back and left all the debt behind.

I'm back to the UK last month and stay in the same flat i used to stay in 2008. Last week, i got two letters from Lowell requested me to pay 1,500 pounds debt.

I really dont know what is the best way to handle now. I cound not afford to pay the whole amount and the contracs should not be that much anyway. Should I call o2 or Lowell whether they can help or should i leave it for a while until i can afford to pay.

Thanks

[labman]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

I would send a Subject Access Request (SAR) to O2 - it costs £10 but will give you all information they hold on the debt. You'll see then any letters you've missed in your absence and get an idea of what is happening. O2 have 40 days to respond to this.

How much do you think the debt should be? This will give an idea of how much has been added in charges. Don't worry if you can't answer this as the SAR will give you this information.

As far as Lowells go, if you agree there is a debt to be repaid, I'd at this stage send them a Prove It letter which will buy you a bit of time while you wait for the SAR to come back. If they can't prove their entitlement to demand the money from you, obviously it would be silly to pay them. If they do prove it, then you pay only what you can afford each month to them.

If you do the SAR, when you get it back, post up again and we'lllook at the options available to you.

[SilentDebt]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

Thank you very much for your advice Labman.

To be honest, I'm a bit lost now. I'm back here this time to continue my study, so i have no income. In the past days, i've been thinking whether i should avoid this payment.

But i think the best way is to pay it as i really did breach the contract.

I think my debt should be less than 1,000. I will send the SAR as advice. Do have to send them an e-mail or phone them? what will happen if o2 do not respond in 40 days?

In the letter sent by Lowell, they give 20 days to contact them. In the meantime shall i contact them or wait for the SRA?

Thank you so so so much for your advice,,,,in such a big city like London. I really have no one to turn to

[labman]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

Hang on - sorry, I didn't grasp your position. You say you have no money. Before doing anything, you need to find a FREE debt advice agency - Payplan, CCCS, National Debtline, CAB etc.... Contact the site team via pm - they'll be able to recommend an organisation they know to be good. These organisations will complete a Common Financial Statement which sets down your Assets, Income and Expenditure, then looks at your debts and what, if anything, you can afford to pay.

Hold fire on the SAR for now as any charges can be challenged later if necessary. If you have been away for 3 years and only just returned, you have no income and no foreseeable way of getting income in the short to medium term, any decent debt advisory service will write to the creditor, state you are suffering from significant financial hardship and ask them if they would consider writing off the debt.

[SilentDebt]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

Thank you Labman...I have already contacted Payplan. I will fill up the form, and let's see what they can help in this stage.


Thank you so much for your advice

[labman]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

Hi,

I would hope Payplan suggest you write to the CEO of O2 explaining the exceptional circumstances surrounding this debt and asking if they would reconsider. Below is the e-mail address you need:

ronan.dunne@o2.com

[teaboy2]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

1,500 for 2 mobiles is a hell of a lot, though i suppose you were making international calls home. End of the day though, you can only pay back what you can afford.

[Guest]

Re: Mobile Debt!! Help TT

HI

Did they send these letters whilst you were away or were they sent after you came back.

What i mean to say is do they know you are back or is it just a punt on their part. Not suggesting you avoid the debt or anything but if you are a student you have enough problems, you can pay them when your on 100k a year if your concience is troubling you.
If it is a punt i suggest you ignore them.

Peter