Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd/Littlewoods/Very

[raspberry]

I am new to the site and really need some help!

I have an account with Littlewoods which since changed to Very. My account was around £4000.00 Unfortunately last May my partner was paid off and I was unable to keep up with the monthly payments. I did offer to make a reduced payment to them and asked if they could stop the interest and charges but they refused the reduced payment and to stop the charges. It was then passed to NDR who also refused the reduced payments and continued to charge interest and charges. I paid a couple of payments at the reduced rate but still received phone calls and letters from them so I stopped the payments. Today I have finally received a letter from Shop Direct advising they have sold the debt to Lowells (9 months later) The amount Lowells wish me to pay has now gone up to £5953.13. My financial position remains the same.

Can anyone advise what I do now? Do I contact Lowells and try to reach an agreement with them? Do I ask them why the account has gone up by £2,000 and am I able to get them to do anything about these horrendous charges?

I want to do the right thing but feel I am being backed into a corner!

[bluebottle]

Re: Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd/Littlewoods/Very

Hi Raspberry and welcome to Legal Beagles.

Firstly, Very and NDR are in breach of OFT Debt Collection Guidelines, a copy of which I am attaching to this post. The Guidelines make it very clear to DCAs that they cannot force debtors to pay more than they can afford. If they fail to comply, it can affect the renewal of their licence under the CCA or result in their licence being revoked. Repeatedly phoning you is an offence under Section 40, Administration of Justice Act 1970 and Section 2, Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

My advice is to ask Lowells, whom we at LB call "The Leeds Losers", for a detailed breakdown of the charges, in writing and a Certified Copy of the original agreement. This is something they have to do. Put this to them in writing and send by Royal Mail Signed For mail. Once you have this and it can be established the debt is enforceable, you will need to write to Lowells and make it clear to them that you can afford to pay X amount per month and that they cannot refuse under OFT Debt Collection Guidelines. NEVER DEAL WITH THEM ON THE PHONE. ALWAYS IN WRITING.

Come back onto this thread if you have any further queries or need any guidance.

[bluebottle]

Re: Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd/Littlewoods/Very

OFT Debt Collection Guidelines.

[labman]

Re: Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd/Littlewoods/Very

Hi Raspberry,

Good advice as always from Bluebottle - thank you!

I think you would really benefit from going to visit a FREE debt advice charity to get them to go through a Common Financial Statement (Income Expenditure) with you. They could then make an offer to them, and any other creditors you may have, on your behalf. It would carry much more punch if done officially.

If you want to do it yourself, then please consider CASHflow which you can complete and have signed off by a suitably licensed person. This then holds the same weight as having it completed by a third party advice service, but you retain control.

The chances of it being accepted are then much greater - this is why CASHflow was invented. Charities that could do this for you include CAB, CCCS, Payplan, My Charity, National Debtline etc... Ideally you want someone who will fight your case for you if they are at all awkward.

[rainydb]

Re: Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd/Littlewoods/Very

Please, take the advice and do not, even for one second, consider calling them.

One could easily be forgiven for thinking that they would reasonably discuss what the extra amount of the debt is and a sensible re-payment. They are not reasonable. These people are ruthless. They would happily have you ebay your entire home, send your partner onto the streets and sell your children / pets to the slave trade. They would take the socks and shoes from your feet in the snow then stand there and laugh. That is how much they care that your personal circumstances are considered.

This may sound a little dramatic but having made the error of calling before, I will never do so again. If they get you on the phone, even worse, actually have your real number - despite you asking them not to use it, they will make your life miserable.

Best dealt with in writing where they will still be revolting but less full of illegal threats and waffle. Good luck
------------------------------- merged -------------------------------
Also worth remembering that they punish those that try to pay. For all those that don't pay they take the frustration of not getting commission from those ones out on the poor people that do try and pay nicely.