Bank charges 18 years on???

Hammy1801

Hi
I was hoping someone could help me out with a letter I have just received from a debt collection agency working for Sparkasse Bank, Iserlohn, Germany.
A bit about myself, i am in the Army and was posted to Iserlohn (and had an account with Sparkasse Bank) from March 1990 to December 1991. On leaving Germany i was instructed to close down my German bank account, and to show proof of this to the regiment before i was allowed to leave (this was the standard practice to prevent squaddies scarpering with debts to German banks). Fast forward 18.5 years and this Monday (19 Apr 10) i receive a letter from a debt collection agency instructing me to pay 427.15 Euros by 11 April 10.
Reading some other threads on this site i see that a debt in UK can be written off if there has been no contact with 6 years. I was wondering if this is the case in Germany especially after 18 years.

Olipro

first question... is that debt genuine?

a brief google search indicates that the limit in Germany is probably 3 years.

Nonetheless, considering the sum, it's extremely unlikely you're going to hear from them again, and even if you do, I would suggest you reply with a letter contesting the validity of their claim and requesting proof that you owe the money.

Hammy1801

Thanks Olipro, I do not know if the debt is genuine or not, I dont believe it is as this is the first i have heard of it in 18.5 years and it is quite easy to track down squadies (army number!!).Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

chris_m

If you had to provide proof that the account was closed, and did so, how the heck could there be any debt remaining?

pmduk

Can the regiment provide you with any evidence that they checked that the account was closed?