I had a credit card with Barclays when I was an extremely unwise student many years ago. No questions were asked really. I knew I couldn't afford a credit card and that's on me being young and stupid. The debt of £4k was passed to Lowell.
I also had other debts and being young and silly, I was scared. I ignored them.
A few years ago I wised up and sought to fix my credit. I paid all of my debts off as soon as I could, other than Lowell. For this one, I set up a payment plan.
I've been paying between £5 and £50 a month for the last 3 years.
I came across a Facebook group (give me a chance!) which said Lowell buy debts for pennies and chance that the person owing (me), will stump up. Which I have been.
I used one of the template letters from the group asking for a subject access request as well as the deed of assignment.
I recieved a letter a few days later saying they will no longer be chasing the debt and will not respond to any further communication from me and that my account was closed.
From what I've read, unless they can provide a Deed of Assignment, which they haven't in my SAR request, I should be entitled to the full sum I have paid so far.
Has anybody been in a similar situation?
I've been advised to request a direct debit refund via my bank. Lowell would then be able to contest this but without a Deed of Assignment, they can't.
I was surprised they closed the account so quickly. It made me wonder whether they had no right to chase the money to begin with.
I'm very much new to this so any advice would be great.
Thank you.