Can debt collection agencies trace me if I check my credit report?

never-in-doubt

daily wrote: »

You're probably already creating hassle for your mum, as the 6 years approaches, the phone calls will start. In all likelihood, your credit report has your current address, difficult to go through life without a credit check

Nope, if they ring the OP's mum then she can simply get it stopped by writing one letter which we'll provide on here should the OP need it. Obviously, the best advice is let them write to your mum and after it becomes statute barred then you can write to them forcing them to stop hassling you.

ashman82 wrote: »

I have a credit card debt from 2004 that I couldn't honour, that was sold to Buchanan Clark and Wells. I've buried my head in the sand and ignored it until now. Any letters were sent to my mum's house, and they never traced me while I was away at uni.

If they'd traced you, on your credit report it would show additional searches and have BCW in there under 'Trace'. I'd not worry too much about this right now, just sit tight until next year (work out when 6yrs + 1mth is from the last payment)

ashman82 wrote: »

I'd like to check my credit report but i'm concerned that BCW will be able to trace me if I do. Does anyone know please? I've been registered to vote and pay council tax since finishing last year and they don't seem to have traced me through this. I'm a penniless, unemployed graduate at the moment so can't afford to pay anything. Might it be worth me waiting for the debt to become statute barred next year? Will this have any long term consequences? Can they make me bankrupt? Could I have a CCJ without knowing it?

Thanks for reading this

They will trace you, via linked addresses. If, however you have 6yrs of other address history behind you, i.e. halls of residence for 4 yrs and your own flat for 2yrs then you need never declare the address of your mums as you only have to show the CRA's 6yrs of history and lenders only ask for 3 anyway (some 2).

They can't just 'make you bankrupt' - no. Its a long drawn out process and extremely rare. They can add a CCJ but your mum will have received a letter at her house regards to this. I am assuming your mum returns all mail as 'addressee unknown' - she aint opening it is she?

Don't worry, ideally wait until 6yrs + 1mth since the date you last paid (6yrs from date of first missed payment) then the debt becomes statute barred, i.e. written off and legally they cannot default you, add a ccj or enforce repayment.