old debts coming from nowhere

vintagegirl

Just when I think im getting used to things, I get a letter through from a debt company. Can anyone help me with this.
Its from Activ Kapital and relates to a Dorothy Perkins card. I know i paid this off in around 2005, though i don't have any receipt for it.

It shows on my equifax credit file as a default, settled with a zero balance (because i paid it off), yet im getting letters and phonecalls all of a sudden asking for the balance of £287.09.

Bear in mind, this default is due to fall off in november of this year. I wonder if this is why they are trying their luck again. I dont understand how they suddenly can when they have recorded it as settled.

The letter reads,
We have an account for (my name). this account has been due for some time, and you need to repay the outstanding balance of £287.09.

To help you, we will give you a 35% discount on the remaining balance, so pay £186.61 within 10 days and we will pay the rest.

Alternatively, you can pay your account by monthly instalments.

If you would like to take up one of our offers or if you believe you have a valid reason why the account should not be repaid then please call us.


BLAH BLAH blah ha. Does anyone have any advice about this, sorry about the length of the post. I finally think Im getting sorted then this comes out of nowhere

many thanks x

elaine12022

This sounds like they are trying to get you to contract with them, knowing that any alleged debt will be statute-barred 6 years from date of last payment/acknowledgement of debt.

There are 2 options, you can ignore the letter (and any other communication) (and wait for the 6 years to come up, and send them a statute barred letter) or you could send them the so called 'prove it' letter. Both are on the National Debtline website.

What's important if you communicate make it absolutely clear you are disputing the debt and send any letters recorded delivery.

vintagegirl

the thing im confused about Elaine, and thanks for your reply, is that faxt I HAVE paid it off, It says so on my credit report.
So why are they trying to get me to pay it again? should i phone them?>

Have posted details below of what i says on my credit report



Credit Card from Aktiv Kapital (I) / XXXXXXXXXXXX9117
Terms 0 @ £ 0 (Monthly) Status Settled
Current Balance £ 0 Start Balance £ 0
Credit Limit £ 0 Default / Delinquent Balance £ 145
Start Date 27/11/2004 Date Updated 21/09/2005
Date Last Delinquent Date Satisfied 21/09/2005
Default Date 12/10/2005 Payment Amount
Previous Statemen

elaine12022

I would absolutely not phone them, you might agree to paying something you don't owe! If you keep everything in writing, you will have a record, and it's not so easy to get caught out. Why they are writing to you now, goodness knows, (well, they obviously are hoping to get some money off you :rotfl:, remember they don't actually care if you do or not)

Do the numbers from the credit report & the letter match?

Basically as far as you know you owe nothing, and it's up to them to prove you do. You could always keep a printout of the cleared balance from your credit report before it disappears.

actually looking at those dates, was your last payment in oct 2005? that looks potentially as being the statute barred date this year so if you hang on a couple of weeks you can write and tell them any alleged debt is statute barred. It can't affect your credit in any way as it was defaulted and will drop off your file soon anyway.

Hope this helps