The licence was revoked after companies associated with Reddy and its owner, Dharam Prakash Gopee was found to have engaged in widespread unlicensed trading.
Associated businesses included Ghana Commercial Bunks Limited (now known as Ghana Commercial Finance Limited), Barons Finance Limited and Barons Bridging Finance plc. Another associated business, Barons Bridging Finance 1 Limited, also had its application for a licence refused.
They were also found to have engaged in “unfair and improper business practices,” including entering into credit agreements which were not in the correct legal form.
For example, the agreements did not include all the information required to make sure consumers were aware of the risks and obligations they were taking on, including the necessary information on charges that were payable.
Consumers who dealt with Gopee should seek advice on the enforceability of such agreements from a legal representative or service, such as Citizens Advice, said the OFT.
The appeals process expired on 18 August 2012 and Reddy no longer has a consumer credit licence and can no longer provide credit to consumers.
Kate Pitt, OFT deputy director of credit, said: “Reddy and businesses associated with it were found to be treating the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act as discretionary and were engaging in widespread unlicensed trading. This behavior does not demonstrate the competence and integrity we require of businesses that offer credit to consumers.”
