Should I panic, or is it an empty threat?

kar-kier

Brief background - moved to Australia in Jan 09, left behind a house I was renting and about £25k-£30k worth of debt, which I continued to pay until Nov 09, at the same time, we decided that we couldn't afford the house in the UK either - it was costing us to rent it out, £150 a month!!! Contacted mortgage company and agreed to voluntary surrender - house is in negative equity!

Anyway, one of the companies has caught up with me here, and has stated that if I don't pay in full, they will "refer to our agents abroad to investigate legal proceedings".

Should I be worried about this? We don't have a penny to our names, and are financially no better off than we were in the UK, just the weather/ lifestyle is better!

Should I do anything about it, or wait for them to come to me?

Thanks

Kx

Nukumai

Kar-kier, I would think that at some point (if not already) you will look to apply for a credit-card, banking relationship, mortgage, (whatever...) in Oz.

If your prevailing financial situation is a part of any assessment by these people and, if asked, you fail to declare any existing UK debts or defaults, I would think that there is always the possibility - however remote in actuality - that you would be open to charges of deception/making a false statement for pecuniary gain etc. This possibility might become somewhat more than merely theoretical should your UK creditors take it upon themselves to pursue you by any means possible.

On balance, I would suggest that you take appropriate local advice.

ms_london

It is difficult to know whether it is an empty threat or not, but you have to accept that it may not be and deal with the consequences and seek advice as appropriate.

These things do have a habit of catching up with you!

kar-kier

Thanks for your replies.

I have never been asked on anything for details about debts in other countries, so have always managed to be honest. There is just no way I can afford to pay anything towards it! I looked into making myself bankrupt, but turned out that in Scotland you have to do that within one year of leaving - I left just over a year ago!

Thanks again

DarkConvict

Your outside the EU, they can't chase you for any UK based debts until you return.

euronorris

DarkConvict - Are you sure? I thought that there was an agreement between the UK and Australia in respect of finances, disclosing information etc etc.

I could be wrong, but just want to be sure.

euronorris

OP - You may find this of interest http://www.aussielegal.com.au/forum/forum_posts~TID~3798.htm

But, in order to be sure, you should contact an expert in Australia. Do they have something similar to CCCS or CAB there?