Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

[johnbob]

Hi All,

Looking to get some information regarding an old debt.

Having got married recently, I decided to consolidate finances with the mrs, I ran an equinox credit check and it came back with a poor rating, due to an outstanding debt of £17 from Communications Supplier from Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd.


It appears the Mrs had a contract with Orange under her name a few years ago with a direct debit agreement set up, but having cancelled the contract it seems that Orange did not take the final payment due on the account, and I guess she wasn't to awards about the credit history impact and it has been left to the side. The official default date is given as 12SEP12.

This debt is a very very small amount and I am more than happy to settle this ASAP however I am struggling to identify how I can settle this. Since this default Orange have been taken over by EE and we had contacted EE and they said that any debt from this date would have been passed onto debt collection agency and we should speak to them - but they had no idea who the debt was sitting with?! Secondly we cannot find any paper work for the Orange account/account number and on equifax it gives an account number but the first 5 digits are crossed out.

I guess, long story short:

1. How is the best way to settle this account?

2. Will Lowell have added interest on this balance? Could it be that its such a small amount Lowell would have written it off? The last thing I want is for this £17 debt to be in the hundreds...

As always, all advice is greatly appreciated

Kind Regards,
JohnBob

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Hi All,

Futher development on the above, just got through to orange and managed to get the account number in question. They have also confirmed the debt was sold to Lowells in 2014.

Can anyone advise how best to proceed? I am aware Lowells will have to be contacted to settle the debt, but reading other posts on this forum, appears they are not the best people to deal with. Worried about potential *unfair* charges etc that they may apply! Bearing in mind it was originally a £17 debt, I guess Lowells will be looking to make their cut on the debt..

Would appreciate all assistance, looking to get this resolved ASAP.

Johnbob

[Kati]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

:bump: for [MENTION=55034]nemesis45[/MENTION] xx

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

:bump: for @nemesis45 xx

:tinysmile_twink_t2:

Hello Kati Thanks nemxx

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Good morning Johnbob,
Responding to [MENTION=49370]Kati[/MENTION] nudge.

1. Lowell would not have levied any charges or interest, this debt will have
been part of very large portfolio of debts sold by EE they would no know
how large or small a debt would be until they start processing the.

Lowell as you say are not particularly helpful in situations, the best approach I think
is putting this problem to Andrew Bartle the Chief Operating Officer of the Lowell Group.
Offer to pay the debt in full and seek " a gesture of goodwill " as the amount is so small
and you were unaware of it would they please remove the default entries from all credit files,
I know it's hard to be pleasant to these people but it's a question
of attempting to gain some sympathy.

They may use one of their stock replies e.g. " Lowell did not Place/Record the default please refer to the
original creditor.

Keep all this in writing by signed for post.

nem

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Thank you @nemesis45 !!

On your points above:
1. Would you have a template letter that I could utilise? Again trying to make sure I tread very carefully on this, and only provide the required information.
2. Since Orange said the debt has been sold to Lowells, wouldn't Lowell be responsible for updating credit records, provided the debt has been settled?
3. I guess the debt is soo small that Lowells have decided its not worth their effort to pursue it, however by making contact looking to settle it, would they then apply charges etc? Again I can confirm no letters have ever been received by Lowells on this matter, and the first I have been aware is by doing the credit check yesterday.

Kind Regards,
Johnbob

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Thank you @nemesis45 !!

On your points above:
1. Would you have a template letter that I could utilise? Again trying to make sure I tread very carefully on this, and only provide the required information. Not really a template situation john but I could put a draft together for you during the day.

2. Since Orange said the debt has been sold to Lowells, wouldn't Lowell be responsible for updating credit records, provided the debt has been settled? Yes Lowell is responsible for " Updating " credit files but technically that is all it can do. Lowell uses this " original creditor responsibility" reply if you deal with its " customer (dis) service " department hence the suggestion of writing to Bartle direct.

3. I guess the debt is soo small that Lowells have decided its not worth their effort to pursue it, however by making contact looking to settle it, would they then apply charges etc? Again I can confirm no letters have ever been received by Lowells on this matter, and the first I have been aware is by doing the credit check yesterday. When making a " request " like this one would always refer to the alleged debt, and make the offer " without any admission of liability"

Kind Regards,
Johnbob

nemesis45

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

@nemesis45 -I would greatly appreciate a draft !

Thank you again!
Johnbob

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

@nemesis45 -I would greatly appreciate a draft !

Thank you again!
Johnbob

Ok I'll get onto that after lunch.

nem

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Ok.
Private & Confidential.

Mr Andrew Bartle
COO The Lowel Group
Ellington House
9 Savannah Way
Leeds Valley Park
Leeds
LS10 1AH

Date:

Ref: Alleged Debt: Recorded on Credit Files: ( add any other identifiers and/or send a screen grab of the CRA file)

Dear Mr Bartle,

I refer to an alleged debt which Lowell is causing to be displayed on my credit reference files, this appears to be related to an
account with.................................. in the sum of £..................:

I have only just discovered this alleged debt because of a recent check on my files. I was unaware of any monies owing to the original creditor, having spoken to the original creditor I was informed that the alleged debt had been sold to l
Lowell .

As you will be aware any defaulted account has a detrimental affect on an individuals credit profile even in regard to an amount as small as this.
In an attempt to clear my credit files on this as a gesture of goodwill and without the admission of any liability I offer to pay the outstanding amount in full and ask if Lowell would return my gesture by removing all reference to the alleged debt from all credit reference agencies to which it has been reported.

Payment will be made on receipt of your written acceptance of this proposal.

Yours etc.

Use signed for post.

nem

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Thank you for the draft, as per your instructions, have included an extract from the credit report and provided my corresponding address. Not too keen to give out my mobile number!

Will send this out first thing tomorrow, and will keep you posted with their response.

once again, appreciate your help!!!

Johnbob

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

Thank you for the draft, as per your instructions, have included an extract from the credit report and provided my corresponding address. Not too keen to give out my mobile number!

Will send this out first thing tomorrow, and will keep you posted with their response.

once again, appreciate your help!!!

Johnbob

Happy to help:tinysmile_twink_t2: nem

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

@nemesis45
So I finally received a response from Lowells, and they also see the final balance due as £17.82 !!!:

"Please be advised we are unable to remove details of defaults as we are required to reflect true and accurate information on how your account has been conducted. As we are legally obliged to show this information for a maximum of 6 tears from date of default.

Upon receipt of your full and final payment, all relevant credit reference agencies will be contacted to amend the outstanding default to show as satisfied with a zero balance.

We have stopped collections on your account for a period of 24 days to allow time for you to contact us with your intentions towards the outstanding balance"

Am I correct in believing this is the best case situation, I accept they can't amend the default but they can amend to satisfied status?

Secondly what is the best way to process this? Make the payment online and then send letter with the confirmation receipt requesting they amend the balance to satisfied?

Please let me know your thoughts on the above.

[nemesis45]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

A typical Lowell reply, yes probably the best you can expect from Lowell, however there is still a chance of getting the OC
to remove the default entry as it is they who placed and reported the original default, this must be done in writing and addressed
to the Data Controller at the head office address.

nem

[johnbob]

Re: Lowell Debt - Unaware how to proceed.

So shall I proceed with the letter to the data controller? they are not the quickest of responders and I don't want them to wait past the '24 days' and start adding excessive charges...

Should they not respond, what is the best method to get this resolved?
1/ Pay the balance with a different named card than the one the debt is on
2/ Respond to their letter, in writing with the confirmation receipt and request the close the issue?

Thanks,