Hi

I have had the same problem with Lowell, i.e. they have demanded payment for a debt owed by someone sharing my name, whom they claim to have traced to my address!

When I got the first letter I sent it back with a 'not known at this address' note.

However, I recently received another, threatening me with Red Debt (which is another of Lowell's trading names). So I emailed the Credit Services Association (of which Lowell's is a member) to register a complaint about Lowell's conduct. The email address is claire AT csa-uk.com. I copied the email to Andrew Bartle (Andrew.Bartle AT lowellgroup.co.uk) , and I had an apology from him first thing the next morning! Strange, eh? The CSA sent me a complaint form which I have completed and mailed back to them. Although Lowell say they've removed my name from their records, I don't trust them, and I certainly don't think they should be allowed to get away with hounding innocent people!

I agree with what has been siad but PLEASE speaking from experience keep copies of all letters sent to them & send it recorded delivery. It seems wierd that the letters we send always seem to go missing!!.

Yes, you should request copies of anything and everything relating to the debt.

The form to have the demand set aside is item 6.4 on this page.

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/forms/englandwalesforms.htm

Thanks for this. Should we be applying to the county court for it to be set aside too? I've seen stuff today about requesting copies of the alledged credit agreement - is this a good idea?

You need to write to Red Debt, Lowell and HSBC saying that you dispute the debt, give your reasons and ask that the statutory demand is set aside. You can also, if you wish, state that you will be asking the creditor to pay costs if the matter proceeds to bankruptcy action.

A statutory demand does not need to be approved by a court so it is often used as a bluff. As long as you respond to any correspondence appropriately, you should not worry about the matter and you should not let them bully you into paying something that you do not owe.

My in laws are being chased by Red Debt / Lowell for an alleged debt bought on from HSBC. As they had never been customers of HSBC and Red Debt failed to respond to a request to provide evidence of the debt, we hoped it had gone away. Instead they have received a Statutory demand for payment. Is is easy to get this set aside and if so is there anything to prevent Red Debt sinding another?