How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

[ambershadow]

Re: Draft complaint

UPDATE: I am in the process of re-drafting your complaint so that events are in chronological order. This will make it easier for OFT staff to follow the sequence of events and see when breaches of the Debt Collection Guidelines took place. It also means that if sanctions are imposed on Lowells, it will be easier for those who will make such decisions to compile the necessary documentation to justify their decision. Also, please bear in mind that a DCA who has conduct requirements attached to their licence or an Adverse Determination to Refuse Renewal of or to Revoke A Licence has a right of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal, which is a judicial body. If your complaint is used as an example of Lowell's non-compliance, because it is written in a clear, logical sequence, it will be easier for the judge and other members of the Tribunal to read and see what Lowell's have done.

That sounds valuable. Is that likely!? Thank you very much, either way, there were so many guidelines to quote I did think it got a bit tangled.

[ambershadow]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

Their last letter dated 15th gives me 28 days to respond to the letter before they say they will start collection proceedings.

It won't do any harm to send quick note reminding them they haven't sent any evidence... would it?

[bluebottle]

Re: Draft complaint

That sounds valuable. Is that likely!? Thank you very much, either way, there were so many guidelines to quote I did think it got a bit tangled.

Previous professional experience. As for Lowells not producing evidence, I would not waste postage or perspiration on them. If you can, scan the letters they have sent and attach to the email you will be sending to OFT Credit Fitness Team. That is useful and lets the Team see what is going on. Oh and don't forget to forward a copy to your local Trading Standards as well, cross-referencing to OFT Credit Fitness Team.

[teaboy2]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

It wouldn't hurt to email 3 themselves about this, as they are just as liable for actions of debt collectors too (ferguson v british gas trading limited is the relevant case law) - Executive.Office@three.co.uk

[ambershadow]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

It wouldn't hurt to email 3 themselves about this, as they are just as liable for actions of debt collectors too (ferguson v british gas trading limited is the relevant case law) - Executive.Office@three.co.uk

Excellent! Thank you.

[ambershadow]

Original Letter

Speaking of which, I wanted to show you this (attached) as it may be of interest.

It is the original letter with the 3 logo on. My investigations online a the time led me to believe that it was Lowell pretending to be 3 but it's not evident whether this is the case from the letter.

But as you can see from the body of the letter, it is unclear who is responsible for re-claiming the debt at this stage - three or Lowells?

And the information/detail given is completely inadequate considering this is the first communication I received.

[teaboy2]

Re: Original Letter

I wouldn't worry about the letter above, it would have been sent by lowell not 3 themselves, their just using 3's letter head to make it look like it came from 3, Chances are you will have got a welcome letter from lowell in the same envelope and the return address on the envelope would have been to lowells own PO Box - Did the same with me for 2 unsolicited phones that were sent to me. Got them told recently though and they removed the defaults on my credit file too.

[ambershadow]

Re: Original Letter

I wouldn't worry about the letter above, it would have been sent by lowell not 3 themselves, their just using 3's letter head to make it look like it came from 3, Chances are you will have got a welcome letter from lowell in the same envelope and the return address on the envelope would have been to lowells own PO Box - Did the same with me for 2 unsolicited phones that were sent to me. Got them told recently though and they removed the defaults on my credit file too.

Thanks for sharing your story so I know it is possible to resolve these things!

[bluebottle]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

Your amended complaint for OFT Credit Fitness team is attached, Ambershadow. I've had to remove some breaches and replace them with others. However, you still have 11 breaches of the OFT Debt Collection Guidelines which, for Lowells, is not unusual. OFT Credit Fitness Team have been receiving high volumes of complaints against DCAs and bailiffs as of late and I would not be at all surprised if a proportion of those complaints relate to the conduct of Lowells and its manifestations.

Make sure you attach all relevant evidence to your emails.

[ambershadow]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

Your amended complaint for OFT Credit Fitness team is attached.

Many thanks Bluebottle, that is an excellent help and very clear.

I am confused by the dates. My letter dated 19th May says I received a letter on the 16th - which I can't locate. I have confused the letter missing letter with the one dated 24th September because it had the same tone - asking me to telephone them for the results of their investigation. How should I put this?

[bluebottle]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

Many thanks Bluebottle, that is an excellent help and very clear.

I am confused by the dates. My letter dated 19th May says I received a letter on the 16th - which I can't locate. I have confused the letter missing letter with the one dated 24th September because it had the same tone - asking me to telephone them for the results of their investigation. How should I put this?

If you can list the dates in chronological order and a brief description of what happened on each date, I can then amend the complaint and re-post it.

[ambershadow]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

I am confused by the dates. My letter dated 19th May says I received a letter on the 16th - which I can't locate. I have confused the letter missing letter with the one dated 24th September because it had the same tone - asking me to telephone them for the results of their investigation. How should I put this?

Please find TXT3 attached with amendments. I think it's ok now?

[bluebottle]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

Please find TXT3 attached with amendments. I think it's ok now?

I have tidied it up a bit, but it should now be okay to send to OFT Credit Fitness Team.

[ambershadow]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

You are very good at this! Thanks very much. I will send it all off and see what happens.

[bluebottle]

Re: How to deal with Lowell Harrassment over a 3 bill?

You are very good at this! Thanks very much. I will send it all off and see what happens.

You're welcome. Let us know how things develop. It is likely you will receive an email from OFT Credit Fitness Team acknowledging the complaint. This is standard procedure. If your home address and contact telephone number is in the complaint, this makes it easier for them to contact you for clarification, if they need it. Make sure you attach scanned copies of Lowells' correspondence and other evidence to the complaint. This adds weight to the complaint. Oh, and don't forget to forward a copy to your local Trading Standards Department, letting them know it has also been sent to OFT Credit Fitness Team. As you receive further correspondence from The Leeds Losers, scan and forward to OFT Credit Fitness Team. The silly buggers at Lowells know they are breaking the law, but they rely on people not knowing what to do or to whom to complain. Unfortunately for Lowells, thanks to forums like LB, a lot more people now know what to do and to whom to complain and it is this complacency and cockiness on Lowells' part that will, eventually, lead to their comeuppance.