Re-Start my life help needed

billyfenlon

It got to a point now that I need to get my life in order, starting with my finances.

I have not paid a single thing of a debt in years and some of them are nearly 10 years old. I got to a point where I binned all letters a few years ago. However I have recently started opening them but have no idea what the debt even refers to.

I did have a tesco loan for £10k that I did get 10 years ago but have not even had a letter about this in 2 years.

I am now in a realtionship that will we be looking to get married next year, so I want to start a fresh and I am in a position to start making monthly payments etc.

Where exactly do I start this process and how?

Thanks

LuckyBiscuit

Why don't you get your credit report to see what is still included on there??

billyfenlon

ok, how would I even do that?

I have absolutely no idea what I am doing!!

I recently got accepted for a Vanquis credit card so maybe its not that bad. However I would have thought owed around £25k + on loans and old cards (mostly well over 7 years old debt)

BorassicLint

Hi billyfenlon,

I believe that if your debts are more than 6 years old and you have not acknowledged them in any way by either making a payment or replying to letters during that time, they will be statute barred. If you look on the Unenforceability and Template Letters thread by never-in-doubt on page 1 post #7 you will find a template letter for statute barred debts. Hope this will help you.

Below is a list of credit reference agency addresses.

Credit Reference Agencies Addresses:



Experian Ltd
Customer Support Centre
PO Box 8000
Nottingham
NG80 7WF




Equifax Plc
Credit File Advice Centre
PO Box 1140
Bradford
BD1 5US



Call Credit Plc
Consumer Services Team
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ

NorthernLas

You can check your credit files by sending to the 3 agencies for £2 each. Or you can sign up on-line get the report and cancel.

Have a look at this link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score and half way down is a section on 'check your credit file'

I think they only show the last 6 years so anything older may have dropped off the list.

If you have been 'missing' i.e moved around or not on the electoral roll, I think checking your credit may make you more visible to DCA.

The older debts (i.e. those who you have not paid since 2004) may be statute barred. This means you cannot be made to pay.

NorthernLas

This article on rebuilding your credit rating by using your vanquis card might also be of use http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/bad-credit-credit-cards

billyfenlon

so a starting point will be to send a letter of with my address and DOB etc to the 3 credit agencies.

Do I send a cheque for the £2 or a postal order?

Thanks everyone, really going to give this a go.

BorassicLint

As Northerlas said check the agencies on-line as I think they may offer a free trial which should get you the info you need and then you can cancel it otherwise they will charge you.(I think) Or maybe I'm confusing this with something else.

NorthernLas

Yes, I think so and you can send either a cheque or a postal order.

See text from article:

you can write a letter detailing your past addresses, enclosing a cheque / postal order. It’s possible they may send back extra forms to fill in so make sure you include all your personal details too (e.g. date of birth, contact details) Links and template letters for each agency:

• Equifax. Equifax Online OR Equifax template letter (cheque payable to Equifax Plc).
• Experian. Experian Online OR Experian template letter (cheque payable to Experian Ltd).
• Callcredit. Callcredit Online OR Callcredit template letter (cheque payable to Callcredit Plc).

Borrasic Lint - You are right, if you check on-line it is quicker and free for 2 of them, BUT you must cancel as they will charge you for a monthly subscription or tempt you into more expensive services