Cabot Financial - What next?

Gorebrim

Hi all

I'm in need of some advice?

I don't confess to having a debt free past, on the contrary my teen life was wrought with debt and debt management but I'm now in my 30's and have been all quiet on the western front where credit/debt was concerned.

Recently I took a my banks offer for a better account and overdraft and also applied for a credit card which although was declined but was a sure bet on the horizon with good account management, the overdraft was accepted. I also got my credit report which was clean and showed up as satisfactory as per Experian's scoring.

However..

In the last few days I received a letter from Cabot Financial stating a reference number and a front door visit? There is no other information on the letter other than a contact number to call? I noticed they did an Unrecorded Inquiry on the 6th Oct on my credit report but that's it.

From what I can make out it must be a company trying to open an old debt (one from ages ago that now doesn't appear on my credit report). I don't really want to tarnish my satisfactory status on my report with old debt. what can i do? are door visits common practice or are they just trying to confirm my residence and screw me that way?

I'm all to concerned as I want to move out soon and any bad debt will put a spanner in the works later on.

Please help

Chris

Gordon_Hose

I'd ignore that letter tbh. If you're sure you have no outstanding debt, and that what you did have is either paid or statute barred, then just let them keep writing.

If someone does turn up at your door, don't confirm any details and politely ask them to leave, otherwise you'll call the Police as they are trespassing.

Or if you really want to do something send them this letter:

Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

Please be advised that I will only communicate with you in writing. I have noted your repeated attempts to contact me over the past few weeks and these have been duly logged by time and date. Should it be your intention to arrange a doorstep visit, please be advised that under OFT rules, you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I have no wish to make such an appointment with you.

There is an implied license under English Common Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc (Armstrong v Sheppard & Short Ltd [1959] 2 QB 384. per Lord Evershed M.R.). Therefore take note that I revoke license under Common Law for you, or your representatives to visit me at my property and, if you do so, you will be liable to damages for a tort of trespass and action will be taken, including but not limited to, police attendance.

Yours faithfully




Sign digitally

Gorebrim

Thank you for your fast response.

I have rechecked my credit report and under account information I have my bank accounts and that's it.

I can only assume if I had outstanding debt it would appear on the report so I assume it would be an account older than 6 years.

I have been advised however in the past from my friends in a similar position that if I respond in any way they can reopen the debt. Is that true, in which case sending the letter you kindly gave would cause me no end of problems.

Also I House share so its possible they might speak to my housemates rather than me, might be an idea to warn them.

Thanks

KingElvis

They're fishing, I wouldn't bite.

Just ignore them and if they go DCA loco send them the prove it letter followed shortly after by the statute barred letter.

Search on here and you'll find them both.

The BEST advice is not to panic and call them or make contact, then you'll be in their scopes and up against it.

Gordon_Hose

Once a debt i statute barred (over 6 years old with no payment or WRITTEN acknowledgement), they can't enforce it through the courts.

Chances are they are fishing, hope you'll get scared and pay it. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

DVardysShadow

Gorebrim wrote: »

... I have been advised however in the past from my friends in a similar position that if I respond in any way they can reopen the debt. Is that true, in which case sending the letter you kindly gave would cause me no end of problems.

Your friends have given you the wrong end of the stick.

If you don't pay anything towards a debt for 6 years and don't acknowledge that you owe anything [in writing], then the debt becomes statute barred - it cannot be enforced in the courts. You are OK sending that letter as it does not admit to any debt.