Should I Pay Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd Debt Collectors?

Having to deal with Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd Debt Collectors can be a bit scary. You might be feeling lost and unsure of what to do.

But you’re not alone. Each month, over 12,000 people visit this site looking for guidance on debt matters.

In this article, we’re going to talk about:

•  Who Lowell Portfolio and Lowell Financial Ltd are
•  How to handle debt collectors and lower repayments
•  Your rights when dealing with a debt collection agency
•  What happens if you don’t pay your debt
•  Steps to take if you think a debt is too old or not yours

It’s tough when you owe money, and it’s even harder when you’re dealing with debt collectors. I understand because I’ve been there, too. This is why I’m here to help you navigate through this.

Ready to learn more about how to handle Lowell Portfolio 1 Ltd Debt Collectors? Let’s get started!

Do you have to pay Lowell Portfolio?

You might not have to pay Lowell Portfolio.

If you genuinely can’t afford your debt repayments then looking into whether you could have your written off might be just what you need. 

If you want to find out whether you qualify for having debt written off or payments lowered then fill out the short form below.

Who is Lowell Financial Ltd?

Lowell Financial is one of the largest debt recovery companies in the UK. They go by the name The Lowell Group which includes Lowell Portfolio, a company that specialises in debt purchase.

The company buys debts and then chases down the debtors for payment. So, when you get a letter from them, you’re going to have to deal with Lowell Group rather than the original creditor!

Is the Lowell Group debt collection agency legitimate?

Yes. Although with so many individual debt recovery businesses in the ‘group’ it’s confusing as to just who you may be dealing with. Also, it’s always a good idea to check debt letters are genuine and not sent by scammers.

That said, all the businesses within the Lowell Group are regulated and must abide by the law. In short, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the Lowell Group.

Can you lower your repayments?

If you’re struggling to pay back your debt, then you might qualify for a debt solution.

Some solutions lower your monthly payments while others write off a portion of your debt. 

To find out whether they could work in your situation, hit the button below.

Get Started

Who uses Lowell Portfolio services?

The Lowell Group doesn’t work on behalf of other companies where debts are concerned. Instead, the debt recovery company purchases debts and then chases the debtors for payment.

The sort of debts Lowell typically purchases include:

• Vanquis credit card debts
• Capital One debts
• O2 debts
• Littlewoods debts

These are just some examples of the sort of debts that Lowell purchases from other companies.

Is the Lowell Group regulated?

As mentioned, all the companies within the Lowell Groups are regulated by the FCA. It means they must follow pretty strict debt collection guidance when they contact you.

That said, they have the right to get in touch with you having purchased a debt you allegedly owe to them. In short, what may have been a debt owed to another company becomes a Lowell debt.

Why would Lowell contact you?

You may have forgotten about owing money to a credit card provider or other creditors. Maybe, you thought the matter was resolved? It could be a debt on an unsecured loan you took out and forgot about.

That said, Lowell will contact you if they believe you owe money on an outstanding debt that’s gone unpaid. Moreover, having purchased the debt, they have the right to contact you as it’s become a Lowell debt and not something you owe to another company!

Should you ignore a debt collector?

No. You shouldn’t bin a debt letter from Lowell even when you know you paid off the debt, or the debt is too old to enforce. Moreover, the debt may not be yours in the first place.

So, ignoring Lowell when they contact you would mean you never find these things out! In short, you would miss out on establishing the following important information:

• The debt is at least six years old and therefore it could be too old to enforce
• The debt was resolved with the original creditor – mistakes happen!
• The debt is not even yours

What if you don’t pay Lowell Financial?

When you don’t pay Lowell Financial it could result in the following:

• Lowell Financial taking legal action against you and winning the court case
• A court order is issued for you to pay which means your credit rating is harmed by a County Court Judgement (CCJ)
• Court enforcement officers (bailiffs) knocking on your door and seizing possessions
• An attachment placed on your bank account or earnings

The only way to avoid this from happening is to remain in touch with Lowell even when you know you don’t owe the money!

In short, make Lowell Financial do the work of proving the debt. Also, debt collection agencies must allow you enough time to seek independent advice. You must be allowed to find out what sort of debt solution could be available to you!

Is the debt too old to enforce?

Some debts are too old to enforce which means they are statute barred. Courts won’t take on cases relating to statute-barred debts!

Therefore, you can’t be ordered to pay and your credit won’t be ruined by a County Court Judgement!

So the first thing to check when Lowell gets in touch, is whether the debt is too old to enforce. You should write to Lowell Financial to inform them of your findings and they should stop contacting you!

Also, send the letter via registered post so you have a record of the correspondence! If Lowell Financial takes you to court, you’ll have evidence to show you made the request but they failed to acknowledge things.

Should you ask Lowell Financial to prove the debt?

Yes. Absolutely. Even when you know you may owe the money! Ask Lowell Financial to prove the debt is yours. Not only does it gain you a little time, but it also means the debt recovery company may not be able to prove you owe the money!

So, after checking if the debt is too old to enforce, next write a letter to Lowell Financial asking them to prove it’s yours!

You have every right to make the request and Lowell Financial must respect your wishes. It may take a while for them to get back to you or a letter proving the debt could arrive by return post!

All copies of a Credit Agreement or other contract you signed must be authenticated by the original creditor or someone authorised to do so on their behalf!

It’s not up to you to prove you don’t owe the money, although it could help if you can. It’s up to Lowell to provide solid evidence in the form of a Credit Agreement or other type of contract!

You shouldn’t just accept Lowell’s word for it!

What if Lowell Financial proves the debt?

If Lowell Financial proves you owe money to them, you’d have to pay. Whether it’s the full amount or instalments over time. However, you should seek advice from a debt expert first!

As mentioned, Lowell Financial must allow you enough time to seek advice and to establish what options are available. However, don’t wait too long and always let a debt collection agency know what you’re doing!

What if Lowell can’t prove the debt?

When a debt collection agency can’t prove you owe money, they can’t make you pay. A court won’t issue a County Court Judgement against you either!

If the case did go to court and Lowell Financial fails to provide hard evidence you owe the money, a judge could find it hard to rule in their favour.

In short, you could be let off paying when Lowell Financial can’t prove you owe the money. So, you should write back to the debt collection agency telling them to stop contacting you! If they continue to harass you with correspondence, you have the right to report them to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

What powers does a debt collector have?

Debt collection agencies have exactly the same powers as the original creditor. In short, they don’t have any sort of ‘special’ legal power. They can phone you, email you, write to you and visit you at home before taking you to court!

What can’t debt collectors do?

Debt collection agencies must abide by the law and the CSA Code of Practice. In short, there are things a debt collection agent can do, and things they cannot!

I’ve listed the things that debt collectors cannot do here:

• Force their way into your home and seize possessions
• Clamp your vehicle
• Talk to you in confusing terms using legal jargon
• Encourage you to take out a further loan
• Discuss anything with your family, neighbours, friends or employer
• Visit you at your place of work
• Pretend they have the same powers as a bailiff (court-appointed enforcement agent)
• Use documents that appear to be issued by the courts
• Harass or threaten you in any way

You have the right to report a debt collection agent if they do any of the above. But first, you have to file a complaint with their head office to give them time to address the matter.

Then you can lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Can you prevent debt collectors from contacting you?

No. It’s not possible to prevent a debt collector from contacting you. However, you have the right to tell them when and how to contact you.

So, you can write to Lowell Financial Ltd asking them to contact you in writing and to stop phoning or emailing you. Debt collectors must respect this request!

Moreover, send the letter by registered mail so you have a record of your request.

Take a look at what one unfortunate person had to put up with when contacted by Lowell Financial Ltd:

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Can Lowell Financial Ltd make your life difficult?

Yes. Unfortunately, Lowell Financial could make your life difficult if you don’t respond or pay them when they try to get in touch with you.

For example, they could:

• Report you to credit reference agencies which will harm your credit rating
• Start court proceedings against you and have a court order to pay issued
• Instruct enforcement officers (bailiffs) to visit you at home
• Apply for an attachment to be placed on your earnings or bank account

Will Lowell Group use enforcement officers (bailiffs)?

If Lowell Portfolio wins a case against you, bailiffs could be instructed to recover the money owed. That said, there must be a court order for you to pay for bailiffs to get involved.

Enforcement officers have the power to seize possessions to the value of the money you owe. So, in short, it’s wiser to stay in touch with Lowell and work with them to prevent things from escalating to this stage.

How do you contact Lowell Financial Ltd?

I’ve listed ways to contact Lowell Financial in the table below:

Make sure you keep records of who you speak to at Lowell and note down the time and date of each call you make. It’s always a good idea to have these records in case you’re taken to court.

What debt help and advice is there?

You should contact one of the debt charities if you’re experiencing financial hardship and finding it hard to cope. Especially when you feel pressured by a debt collector.

Free debt advice could be invaluable when it comes to negotiating a fair payment plan with Lowell. It could help you understand what debt solution is available to get you back on track with your finances.

I’ve listed three of the leading UK debt charities here: 

• Step Change Debt Charity
• National Debtline 
• Citizens Advice

What is a fair debt settlement offer?

Debt collection agencies may accept a debt settlement offer that’s in the region of 75% of the original amount. It’s a good starting point. However, you should seek independent advice beforehand.

Lowell Financial should take into consideration your circumstances when assessing a fair settlement offer. That said, some debt collection agencies are pretty hard-core and hold out for more.

So before sending in an offer, discuss things with one of the debt charities or an independent debt adviser. It’s worth noting charities offer free debt advice whereas an independent adviser in the private sector would charge a fee.

If you’re already experiencing financial hardship it may not be the best option.

“It will only get worse” 😩

It’s cliché to say, but with debt it’s true; the longer you leave it, the worse the problem gets. 

There are straightforward and effective ways to deal with debt, but you have to know your options. 

Fill out the short form to find out about the debt solutions that could reduce your monthly payments or even write off some of your debt.

Get Started

Lastly, should I pay Lowell Portfolio debt collectors?

Not before you establish the debt isn’t statute barred and Lowell proves you owe money to them. If the debt is proven and it’s not too old to enforce, you’ll have to pay.

However, you should seek independent advice before you admit, agree or sign anything with Lowell. Charities in the UK provide free advice which could stand you in good stead. Especially when it comes to negotiating a fair debt settlement offer.

Thanks for reading this post. I hope the information helps answer the question, should I pay Lowell Portfolio Ltd debt collectors, so that it makes dealing with debt collectors a less stressful experience.