Bad debts for foreigners...

thebigbosh

Not sure if I'm posting in correct board, if there is a better location please can a moderator move me on this?

A Brazilian friend of mine lived in the UK 5 years ago for a year, and before she left, her partner racked up a series of debts (withdrew everything on credit card, house bills, etc) without her knowing. She only found out back here in Brazil, didn't have any evidence to prove that her boyfriend did this (after all, he had her pin, card, details etc) and wasn't in the country to chase it up, close it off, etc. In all likelihood, the debts still exist and the credit card company/utilities companies are still looking for her.

The question is - if she now returns to the UK at any point, is there going to be a criminal record in her name, thus preventing her from coming through immigration? She's just received some flight tickets as a birthday present but is worried she's not going to be able to take the flight. Is it worth her risking it, or should she try to sell the tickets whilst she can?

Thanks all

B

MX5huggy

Unlikely to be any criminal proceedings against maybe civil, but if she was untraceable they probably would not have issued these either.

dmg24

MX5huggy wrote: »

Unlikely to be any criminal proceedings against maybe civil, but if she was untraceable they probably would not have issued these either.

This was my thought initially, but now I am wondering if any of the lenders would have involved the police due to the possibility of fraud? Unfortunately it would be near enough impossible to find out until she tries to enter the country.

Ivory_Tinkler

How did she find out about it all once she was back in Brazil? Was her mail forwarded or did she know about that this was a possibility before she left the UK?

Tozer

MX5huggy wrote: »

Unlikely to be any criminal proceedings against maybe civil, but if she was untraceable they probably would not have issued these either.

Sounds to me like obtaining goods and services by deception.

Torby

So you can run up loads of debt and leave the country and NOT have to pay it....and when you return...if you don't tell anyone...you STILL dont have to pay it...sounds like a great way to finance your overseas trips....wonder does it work the other way for when you go abroad?

myrnahaz

Were the CC companies so lax five years ago that they allowed temporary residents to get a UK credit card, even though they were only here for a year? Even if the OP's friends could show utility bills to prove residence, they wouldn't have had any credit history to support a credit card application for more than a few hundred pounds - would they?

phlogeston

thebigbosh wrote: »

A Brazilian friend of mine lived in the UK 5 years ago for a year, and before she left, her partner racked up a series of debts (withdrew everything on credit card, house bills, etc) without her knowing.

She only found out back here in Brazil, didn't have any evidence to prove that her boyfriend did this (after all, he had her pin, card, details etc :eek:) and wasn't in the country to chase it up, close it off, etc.

If it was a joint account, she is jointly and severably liable for all the debts.

If it was not a joint account, she was negligent in giving the boyfriend her card and PIN details.

Either way, the debts are hers.

Hopefully, the banks will take any necessary action to recoup their losses so that my charges are not increased.

Enfieldian

My wife was able to get two Capital One cards while she only had a spouse visa (two years) and no job, no NI number and only a basic cash card bank account.

All the bills are in my name at home so in some cases the CC companies only have themselves to blame for issuing these cards, although defaulting borrowers just increase premiums/interest/penalties for the rest of us.

Suffice to say she runs her accounts responsibly but she has/had plenty of "friends" who didn't.

BTW, if they can get deported for over staying a visa and then come back again 6 months later (usually under a variation or slightly different name) then getting credit is usually no problem as there are few (if any) consequences.