Credit card "debt" crisis...help!!

Simran

Hi,

I've also posted this on the "debt" forum as was not entirely sure which one applies...

i'd really be grateful if anyone can offer some advice - my friend had an Access credit card provided to him by one of the high st banks between 1999-2000. In 2000 he got a letter from them stating that as he did not use his card, it would be cancelled, to which he agreed. It made no mention of any outstanding debt. He moved house in 2000, his bank was aware of his new address as they send correspondence to it (and he has another credit card with that bank).

4-5 years down the line, he has suddenly received mail from a debt collection agency stating that it has purchased his "debt" and demanding £188. He contacted the bank and protested that this was the first he had heard of any debt. The bank explained that Access is not part of the bank but is a separate company. He contacted Access who have not responded other than stating that he would have been sent several reminders (which is not true).

He has now received threats of court summons and court costs have added another £77 to the amount. He is willing to settle provided that he is given a full breakdown of his "debt" but they have not been forthcoming and are threateninh him with legal action or a "visit" if he does not respond within a few days.

I think it is disgraceful practice to contact someone 4 years down the line with an immediate request for payment of a "purchased" debt he knows nothing about and not give him a reasonable opportunity to investigate. Is there anything he can do or should he pay up??

Thanks!

file_wizzard

replyed in Debt free wanna be ! ;o)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107403

daveboy

Others will also say this, but if a debt is outstanding there is a period of six years in which it can be chased up.

Additionally, you will find that board guides will either lock or delete one of the two threads as duplicate posting isn't allowed.

Simran

thanks, daveboy, and apologies for posting it twice (i wasnt sure which one to post on and was panicking!)

best wishes