please help with debt letter recived (long sorry)

viccig

Hello there I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction.

I am currently trying to sort out my partners debt which is turning out to be a bit of a task.

To cut a long story short- he had some problems before he was seeing me and we don't have much of an idea of who he owes money to. I got a copy of his credit report a while ago, but because there hadn't been a lot of correspondence with companies I don't know what amount related to what.


Anyway.. received a letter this morning from Direct Legal and collections for over 7k!!! Have no idea when this debt is from or what it is for, it appears to have been passed to a couple of debt collectors, but according to the letter they are acting for hillesden securities ltd.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of what to do about this letter? Its such a lot of money and I really want to start getting this sorted. The debts he has all relate back to before 2002.

Kind regards
Vicci

RAS

Vicci

Debts that relate to 2002 are probably statute barred, so rather than getting involved you would be better learning about this. Then send statute barred letters to anyone who write to him, as is likely since you opened the can of worms by requesting the credit check.

Basically, the debt still exists, but all the DCA can do is ask nicely. The law and the courts take the view that a debt that has not been acknowledged in writing or by payment in the last 6 years is not enforceable and the debtors does not have to pay.

I would avoid responding the Direct legal at all at the moment.

RAS

Nicked fatbelly's post entirely

I'd continue to ignore.

It's probably statute barred so court action is not possible and therefore no bailiffs can be instructed.

See the National Debtline factsheet here.

You could use the sample letter in the factsheet but I take the view that any contact merely encourages them.

stapeley

And most important NEVER EVER PHONE THEM , never give them a phone number .

Jesthar

stapeley wrote: »

And most important NEVER EVER PHONE THEM , never give them a phone number .

Or anything with a signature on, either - some of these lowlifes have been known to indulge in document forgery in the name of extortion... :mad:

viccig

thank you so much for the replies, my partner advises me that his last payments will have been the beginning of 2003 so the 6 year term is not far off at all! Should I just sit tight and monitor any future correspondence?

RAS thanks for the link- makes very interesting reading

RAS

These DCAs buy the debt for pennies in the pound because the original creditor has given up in collecting it. They know that they can only get money back ion a samll percentage of accounts.

it is for you two to decide but personally if it was with the original creditor I would probably try to sort something out, but if it is with a DCa, I would not, having seen the reports of their behaviour on here.

Hav eto go.