Varying advice re Mackenzie Hall

MrsRussellB

Helllo all - this is my first time posting.

My partner had a letter from MH at least 3 months ago, relating to an old debt of £415.46 (an overdraft) which he has had no contact with the bank about since 2001. We read various threads on here and decided to ignore the letter.

Today he had an intimidating failure to respond notice giving us until Friday to pay or threatening further action. Their clients are Lowell Portfolion 1 Limited, another DCA I assume.

Now I realise MH are shysters who really want to scare you to death (have suceeded with me I tell you), but am a little confused having read all the posts about them on here about the best was forward with this. It seems some people say to ignore, some say to write with a template letter saying to do not acknowledge the debt or as it is over 6 years old it falls outside statute etc and I wondered what the consensus was on this?

I have read from somebody who had a friend who was a bailiff that MH do not have debt collectors so nobody will call, or that it will be just doorstep collectors. Is this right? I am very worried about people calling at the door and I am worried that the little camper van I bought with my money ,but in my partners name as I don't drive, will get taken.

Any advice gratefully received.

fermi

If there has been no contact since 2001 then the debt is likely to be statute barred and therefore legally unenforceable.

From a previous thread:

A debt will be "Statute Barred" if there has been no acknowledgement of the debt by you making a payment or in writing within the relevant limitation period.

If you are in England/Wales then the limitation period is 6 years and you should read:

Link: Factsheet | Liability for Debts and the Limitation Act (England/Wales)

If you are in Scotland then the limitation period is 5 years and you should read:

Link: Factsheet | Liability for debts & the Prescription & Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973

If you feel the debt is "Statute Barred", then there is a letter to write at the end of each factsheet.

If you are unsure of anything, then give National Debtline a call free on 0808 808 4000 to talk your situation through with a professional advisor.

A debt or doorstep collector has no legal powers whosoever. They can only ask you to pay. They cannot take property.

Only a bailiff can legally seize property, and even then there must be a court order in place that you have failed to keep up payments on.

It's unlikely that a "doorstep" collector will call, but even if they do you are within your rights to tell them to "get lost". If they don't or cause trouble then you call the police and have them removed.