Student Loan Company demand

Saipan

Hi Everyone
Desperately hoping someone can help. I have just received a letter from the Student Loans Company telling me that they have traced me via their Trace Dept - why? I have lived at this address for the last 14 years and have been on the Electoral Roll for all of this time.
They also say that they have a CCJ against me dating from March 2002 for unpaid SLC debts which they now intend to enforce - I have to pay the full balance (£4,700) by Tuesday or they will go back to court to get the money by 'whatever means deemed necessary'.
Until today, I had no idea that they had a CCJ against me and have had no correspondence from them. Until recently, I didn't earn enough to meet the threshold for repayment so assumed that was why I had heard nothing from them. My first loan was taken out in 1997.
I can't possibly give them £4,700 but could offer them a monthly payment of £80 or so to pay it off.
Does anyone know if they are likely to accept this? I didn't get home in time to phone them this evening but the letter says they are open tomorrow morning so I can phone them then.
I feel sick with worry and don't know what to do - any help or advice would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks

MissShoes

hmm, not sure but posting so someone else sees this and offers their pearls of wisdom.

elliethecat

About two years ago I had notification from the SLC telling me that they'd had to trace me and that this had added costs onto my account etc. Although they didn't actually threaten legal action they were quite unpleasant about it.

I phoned them up and seemed to be getting no-where with the person I was speaking to. However I asked her for the name of her boss which she reluctantly gave me. I then phoned this person and after explaining my case, was asked to write in and send copies of what I claimed was evidence that I had informed them of house moves etc.

After this they were extremely helpful and the whole thing was resolved quickly. I can only suggest you try to speak with someone higher up the tree and hope you meet with the success that I did - good luck.

Trollfever

Don't contact them before you have had independent professional advice as the debt is over six years old and would appear to be statute barred.

fatbelly

If the creditor has been to court and there is a county court judgment outstanding, then you cannot use the Limitation Act to dispute you owe the debt. It does not matter how many years ago the creditor went to court; the county court judgment will still exist. However, the creditor may not be able to enforce the judgment without the court's permission if the judgment is over six years old

Suggest you have a chat with National Debtline.

Waspeze

Student loans have certain "exceptions" and are not bound by the usual debt exemptions.. from personal experience they are usually accomodating and if you can prove that up until recently you were exempt then they will accept a payment plan.

If you didn't send your deferrement form back then that's probably why they went for a CCJ

I will add though that my loans are from 1991-1994 and they have changed hands so maybe have a different attitude now?