HELP: Cabot chasing debt

maxell6230

Hi Back in 2008 I received a letter from Cabot saying I owned them £5365 on a debt they brought from a credit card I had back in 2004. The amount when I stupidly walked away from the debt was £3000. When they contacted me I said it is not my debt and I then moved. Today I received a letter from Cabot, even though I did not open the letter I knew it was from them and after holding it up to the light I could see it was and now I owe then nearly £6000. Am I best off putting the letter back in the post with return to sender, really do not know what to do, I have no money any way as I have just lost my job and living off job seeker allowance, relying on wife to pay bills (it sucks). Really do not know what to do, Im tempted to move but I now have two kids and cannot keep running from it.

Thanks in advance,
maxell6230

barbiedoll

When was the last time you paid anything towards the debt? And do you have any paperwork relating to it? If you want to face up to it, you should first try sending the "prove it" letter here...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11570893&postcount=2

(from the National Debtline website)

If you have not acknowledged the debt or paid anything towards it in the last 6 years (5 years in Scotland), it will become what is known as "Statute Barred" which means that they cannot demand any repayment towards the debt, by law.
If you have paid in that time, either you can look at setting up a repayment plan or you can look at going down the "unenforceability" route. We'll advise you on that if you need us to, as and when. Send the letter above first and let us know what happens then. And don't panic, this is not the end of the world..honestly!

barbiedoll

Also, if you send any letters, do NOT sign them...just type your name.

maxell6230

Thanks for your prompt reply, I have not paid anything since 2004 when i was paying the original credit card payments. I have no paper work for the credit card company (statements etc), it was originally providian national but apparently it is now Monument. I have the letters that cabot sent in 2008. Should I return to sender the letter i got today unopened?

WRINKLES

maxell6230 wrote: »

Thanks for your prompt reply, I have not paid anything since 2004 when i was paying the original credit card payments. I have no paper work for the credit card company (statements etc), it was originally providian national but apparently it is now Monument. I have the letters that cabot sent in 2008. Should I return to sender the letter i got today unopened?

Make sure before you send any letter to them that it has been six years to the day that you have had no contact with them by letter acknowleging this debt , and that you have not made a payment , if you are unsure send the letter back unopened , not known at this address .