Registered debt default against my name

toughguy

Hi,

I am not from the UK but worked there for one year in 1998.
I found out about one month ago that I had a judgement registered against me by my old bank as I hadn't cleared my overdraft before leaving the country. I didn't even know that I had an overdraft but that is for some other time.
Basically I got a letter from a debt collection agency seeking repayment of circa £500. I will be returning to the UK next year and will pay the debt off straight away.
I am worried however about how long this will stay on my credit record especially if I look to take out a mortgage. Can anyone offer some advice as to how I can limit the damage from the point of view of any cdamage to my credit history?

Storm

I believe CCJs stay on your record for 6 years, and unfortunately there's not anything you can do to change that. I would recommend however contacting the agency, ask for a copy of the original credit agreement and details of the debt then come to an agreement as to how it's going to be paid off. If you start making some payments now it will look better for you in the long run, especially once it's paid in full as this will show as settled on your credit rating.