Got a letter from Lowell Financial? Here's how to respond.

No. Lowell Financial Ltd is a legitimate, FCA-authorised debt collection agency (FRN 730175) incorporated in England and Wales (company number 04558936). It is one of the UK's largest debt purchasers and is a member of the Credit Services Association. However, receiving a letter from Lowell does not mean you are automatically obliged to pay. You have the right to request proof that the debt is valid, enforceable, and not statute-barred before making any payment.

Under section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980, most consumer debts become statute-barred six years after the date of your last payment or last written acknowledgement of the debt. Once a debt is statute-barred, Lowell cannot obtain a county court judgment against you, though it can still contact you. Crucially, do not phone Lowell or write anything that could be construed as acknowledging the debt, as either action restarts the six-year limitation clock.

You are not obliged to pay until Lowell can prove the debt is valid and enforceable. Under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you can request a copy of the original signed credit agreement. Lowell must also produce a valid Default Notice (sections 87 and 88 CCA 1974) and a Notice of Assignment (section 136 Law of Property Act 1925) confirming the debt was lawfully transferred to Lowell Portfolio I Ltd. If Lowell cannot produce these documents, the debt is unenforceable through the courts.

Yes, Lowell can issue county court proceedings through its in-house litigation firm, Overdales Legal Limited. However, before doing so, Overdales must send a Letter Before Claim under the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, giving you 30 days to respond. If you receive a Letter Before Claim, do not ignore it. A well-drafted response disputing the debt or requesting documentation often stops the claim before it is issued. PostRight can help you send a formal response by Royal Mail.

A Notice of Assignment is a legal document that must be sent to you when a debt is sold from one company to another. Under section 136 of the Law of Property Act 1925, a written Notice of Assignment is required for the assignment to be legally effective. If Lowell Portfolio I Ltd purchased your debt from the original creditor but you never received a Notice of Assignment, Lowell may lack the legal standing to sue you in court. You can demand a copy of the Notice of Assignment in writing.

No. Under section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, it is a criminal offence to harass a person with demands for payment. Under FCA CONC 7.9, debt collectors must not contact you at unreasonable times, use threatening language, or contact you excessively. If Lowell is calling repeatedly, contacting you at unsociable hours, or using aggressive language, you can write to them demanding all future contact be by post only. PostRight can help you send that letter by Royal Mail.

If you do not recognise the debt Lowell is chasing, do not pay or acknowledge it. Send a formal Prove the Debt letter requesting the original signed credit agreement, the Default Notice, the Notice of Assignment, and a full statement of account showing how the balance was calculated. Lowell must suspend collection activity while it investigates your dispute under FCA CONC 7.14. If it cannot produce the documentation, the debt is unenforceable.

Lowell can only charge interest and fees that were permitted under the original credit agreement. It cannot add its own charges on top of the original debt. If the balance Lowell is claiming appears higher than you expect, request a full statement of account showing every transaction, interest charge, and fee applied since the account was opened. If charges appear to have been added unlawfully, you can dispute them in writing.