Restons solicitors

A question about : Restons solicitors

Back in 2006 I defaulted on my credit card, overdraft and loan with HSBC. I was unemployed at the time and have had low income ever since. Every debt collector that the debt got sold on to time and again were always fine when I explained my circumstances, sent them my income and expenditure and we agreed small repayments.

August 2013 I received letters from Arrow Global saying they had taken over the debt and all repayments were to go to them. I sent a letter requesting a statement for each account detailing charges made and payments received along with direct debit details. A few weeks later I got letters saying they were 'looking into my complaint' but I never received the payment details and other than a letter every few months saying they were still looking into things, I didn't hear anything more from them. I assumed that they clearly couldn't provide the information and had placed things on hold.

Early September I'm in the process of moving house after being stalked and harassed by neighbours and I receive a phone call from Restons Solicitors. I refused all security questions as I never deal with anything over the phone. They said I should have received letters from them - I hadn't and told them of this, they said I had to pay the debt in full - I explained that Arrow Global were currently looking into the situation and that it was their job to 'prove' I owed this money and how much. Of course he then complained how they couldn't do this if I didn't answer security, etc, etc - I told him to put everything in writing and they would receive a due response. Naturally I received nothing.

Yesterday, I receive (re-directed) letters from Restons Solicitors saying that if I do not pay in full they will take me to court for CCJs. This is the first written contact I have received from them. the debts are Ј1430, Ј2500 and Ј9000.

What is the best way for me to proceed? Looking around various forums it would seem they always take people to court - I'm self-employed and not drawing a wage from that at the moment, I'm existing purely on disabled working tax credit and housing benefit.

Should I give them my new address?
Should I ask for CCA etc?
Should I go straight in with an income/expenditure and payment offer?

I must admit, I've dealt with a few debt collectors over the past eight years but these guys really scare me. I have ME and the stress is likely to make me very ill if I do end up going to court over this.

All advice gratefully appreciated please.

Best answers:

• Hi Wolfsbayne
  Thanks for posting and sorry to hear this is causing you such concern.
  Hard to guess the likelihood of them taking you to court. It sounds though as if they don't know anything about your current financial circumstances, unless they were passed any case notes by Arrow Global. Therefore it would be a bit of a shot in the dark for them to sue you, with no guarantee that they would get a worthwhile return.
  Of the options you list above, none involve insolvency i.e. bankruptcy or a Debt Relief Order. If you don't mind me asking, is there a specific reason you've not considered this? It seems that you've been battling with the debts for a long time and they're still quite large, relative to your income.
  Dennis
  @natdebtline
• The letter they have sent will be full of words like "may" "if" "could" "can" so that they scare you into paying.
• Thanks Dennis