More than 6 yr old debt advice

Multipotentiality

Hiya folks!

In 2004 I applied for a degree course at the Open University.
I started the course in the September of that year, and in October I was severely ill (I was told I probably had two totally unrelated forms of cancer - I didn't fortunately, but I was extremely ill), and so I rang the OU and cancelled the whole lot.
I was only a month into the course, so I'd assumed I wouldn't be charged.

Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and I tried to register for a course again.
I got a message saying I couldn't register as I had unpaid debt.
I rang them and they said that I had a debt for two modules that hadn't been cancelled.
The guy on the phone said that it was probably an error as all of the rest of them had been cancelled at the same time, but he said as I couldn't prove that, I still owed the money.

Now... I can understand still owing the money for the module that I started, though only studying a month and cancelling for health reasons, I'd normally expect not to have to pay that.

The other module, however, I didn't receive any materials for, and I didn't get any contact from the OU to even say I was on that module still.

So fast forward to now. It's over 6 years since the debt.
However, I have spoken to them in that time, and although I did say I didn't think I should owe the money, I did say I would probably pay as I can't register for any courses without that debt being cleared.

So... I'm planning on contesting this debt, however, I need it sorted out asap as I have to be able to register for new courses by the end of November because if I start my course in January, I'll be on the old fees system, rather than the new, incredibly expensive, system.

Do I have a good standing to ask for this debt to be wiped out?

I'm thinking of phoning them in the next day or so, I'd love advice on what to say to them!

Thanks,

--M--

DS4215

As much as the debt is probably statue barred and they will not be able to chase you legally for it, they can probably refuse to enroll you as a student if you owe them anything at all...

mrsb83_2

DS4215 wrote: »

As much as the debt is probably statue barred and they will not be able to chase you legally for it, they can probably refuse to enroll you as a student if you owe them anything at all...

This is probably right. The six year rule has no bearing here.

The issue is that you cancelled and that the cancellation wasn't applied to all modules. You need to pay for the started module but if you had no materials and no invoices for the other one then I'd say argue that with them.

McKneff

Being statute barred only means they cant chase you for the debt, it doesnt mean it's written off
According to them, you still owe it. (even if its in dispute)

aimingforadebtfreelife

Beacuse the OU has not chased the debt the statue barred 6 yr ruling doesnt apply - its their internal records that are holding you back. You are seen as a bad risk because of your previous history. I would avoid phoning them and writing instead to the credit controller account manager and explain the reasons behind it all.