Debt collectors

SElion

Hi,

Before I seek help from citizen advice, I’d just like to see if any other person out there has had the same happen to them?

Last week I had a letter drop on my front door mat, in side was a letter demanding £2405.50 within 14 days or legal proceedings will start. I have no idea what this is for?? So I call them and they tell me it’s a debt they have brought from another company and if I pay them now they reduce the payment to £2000. So that’s a £405.50 saving straight away, but I asked them what the debt is for and all they could tell me was, it is from the 1st of December 1998! They have given me the old collections company number for me to find out but they are being very unhelpful? Where do I stand, as I have told if I do owe this money then I’ll pay but not until I know what the debt is for, plus they want me to pay it in full.

What next?

Regards,
SElion

JGWT8M

This debt is barred by the statute of limitations, I'm pretty sure of that.

They have bought it on the cheap in the hope you don't know about what the law says, IIRC they cannot ask a Court to enforce the debt by CCJ as it's statute barred (that's why they are being so unhelpful) but they can continue to hassle you for payment.

There are others here much more knowledgable about this than me, but what I can tell you is do not speak to them, do not acknowledge the debt and do not agree or offer to make any payment on it.

My (soon to be) brother-in-law got caught on this in 2005 for a 10 year old debt and because he didn't know his rights or the law, he restarted the statute process by admitting it and they took him to court and he's now paying £50 a month for the next 12 years.
Over to the experts now...

madduck

Might not even be yours even if it is time barred. My elderly neighbour was nearly a victim of such a scam a few months ago. Come to see me really worried. He and his wife are in their 80's and all I can assume is that the collections people found someone with a similar name to the debtor (ie my neighbour) and thought that they would give it a punt.

How can some people sleep at night!

Anyway, I did my bit with forthright letter. Company disappeared.

cmhbyandco

Was the debt letter from Debt Manager Ltd by any chance??

My partner had one on Saturday & like you he does not know any thing about the debt. Do a search on this forum & you will find the advice I was given.

Also check out the 'Limitation Act' here http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

Good Luck we sent the letter today........

SElion

It was from 1st Credit.

Thank you so much for your help, the letter is now typed up and ready to land on their door matt! :rotfl:

SElion