Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

[dpjg3982]

Hi All

I am after some assistance with a complaint against Welcome finance.
I have made a PPI claim with regards to a car I had on Lease and on the back of this, I am now receiving letters etc. from Lowell Group that I have an outstanding balance of £3071.60???

The car was returned 4 years ago after satisfying enough re-payments to cover their early cancellation policy, a meeting was held with the area manager to confirm this and correct procedure was carried out with Welcome to return the car and documentation signed on collection.

I used to live less than a mile away from their office and did so for a further 2 years after the car was returned (I had visits on one occassion on the night payment was due as my card had failed so they knew the exact house as they wanted to walk me down to the cash point to pay) and had no communication from them with regards to this matter. Only now as I have made a claim does this appear.

Upon speaking to their complaints dept. I was advised firstly that payments were made, then put on hold then suddenly I had an outstanding balance which they are unable to discuss further as the debt is now with Lowell Group and would need to speak to them.

Please could somebody suggest where I go from here?

[dogtired]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

Cannot advise you only that you must be aware that Welcome have ceased to lend and are only collecting!
Did you have PPI?
Was the loan after 2005 (FSCS dealing with this)
If you read other threads you will note they are notorious for losing paper work and being economical with the truth.
Dont let them bully you, LB have given me the courage to challange them.:tinysmile_aha_t:

[Kafka]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

Welcome tend to send out no statements unless you ask, and that's because they add on bogus charges without explanation. The idea is that you think you've nearly paid it off then they approach you telling you that you actually owe far more than you realised. In their helpful way they would then offer to lend you even more at a bargain rate so that you remain tied into them.

They added almost 1000 to the account I had and after a long fight they just went away. If you don't have payment details you need to get these asap and look for charges added on. That might account for some of the 3k they still say you owe.

[dpjg3982]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

I have contacted welcome who have advised that as the 'debt' now belongs to Lowell Group they are unable to advise me any further on this matter

[dpjg3982]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

The car lease was taken in 2008 and the PPI in question was regards to 'extra insurance' i.e.GAP Insurance I was forced to take if I wanted the car. I was told I could cancel within 30 days which I sent request however Welcome did not cancel these off my account

[Kafka]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

In that case send SAR to Welcome to get the details. That should tell you about the way the figure has been calculated, the PPI and it should also the process of Assignment to Lowell. They are obliged to keep account data for 6 years so they should still have it all if it started in 2008. Also inform Lowell that you have requested data from Welcome under a SAR and cannot discuss the matter further until that is received.

[dpjg3982]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

Thank you for your help.
Do I need to do this in writing?

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

Thank you for your help.
Do I need to do this in writing?

Yes, and you need to send a PO for £10 which is the maximum fee. See this for reference --->http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...608#post310608

[dpjg3982]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

Thank you. I will get this sent this afternoon

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

I forgot to say above, send your SAR Recorded Delivery so you can track it and see when it's been received, they have 40 days to comply form the date of receipt.

[Kafka]

Re: Welcome Finance / Lowell DCA

When you get the info, post up the details here before you take any action. Things to look for include the following.

• Details on the cancelletion.
• Details of the PPI contract and payments made.
• How the figure adds up to the one they are quoting.
• Any bogus charges added onto the account by Welcome that are not part of the agreement.
• How the account was transferred to Lowell.

Clarity on these and any other issues will guide the future action that can be taken.