Time Limit for collection of alledged debt?

aggis_3

Hi all,

approx 7 years ago I paid off a store card using two separate payments (half each) to a "recovery agency". I heard then nothing for years....until last year when a different company wrote and alledged that I owe them £250 (one of the payments).
I tried to tell them that this was paid, and due to the length of time that had elaspsed, i could not be expected to have the receipt.

my question - is there a length of time after which they cannot come back to me

Thanks in advance, Neil

CLAPTON

for 'ordinary' debts if you have paid nothing and have not acknowledged the debt for 6 years the debt is statute barred. if you wrote to them last year before the six years was up then it may depend upon what you said in the letter.

angelavdavis

Ask them to provide you with proof. I believe that legally, banks are only obliged to keep records for six years so it would be interesting to see if they have any proof left. If they can't prove the debt existed, you can't pay it.

Did you make the payment via your bank account? Request copies of your bank statements for around the time you made the payment (if you don't have these) - you will need to submit £10 for this. You can then prove the payment was made.

angelavdavis

See Clapton's post here regards a letter format you can use to query with the debt collection company whether they have proof of the debt:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=352240

aggis_3

Thanks everyone,

I had heard the "six year rule", but wanted to check. When i spoke to them, I advised that I had paid years ago and they would have to prove that I hadn't!

I will print the letter and send it off..

once again, ta.

Neil