8 Year old debt, how can I stop it? HELP!

WorkingMummy84

Bare with me, its going to be long and its my first post

Today I did a free credit search with Noddle.com and within 10 minutes had 3 phone calls all from the same company asking for me by my married name (I havent had this since 2004 so was a bit wary....)

Anyways, it was Robinson Way Debt Recovery, asking me to repay a debt from 2004! Apparently I signed for 2 mobiles on an 02 Contract

My question is, can they legally still chase me for this? If not how can I get rid of it and if so, where so I stand with regards to them providing me with information from when I supposidly signed for this?

arcon5

It's likely statute barred under the Statute of Limitations Act.

Have they tried chasing the debt at all in the last 6 years? Whether via telephone, email or letter? Even if it was at your last known address..

WorkingMummy84

Not to my knowledge, how would they prove receipt of it, if it was postally though? I know I've ha no calls or emails about it until today

neilmcl

Depending on the full circumstances of the "debt" I would say they that it would probably be too late and the debt is now statute barred as it's over 6 years and you've not had any contact with the creditor in that time.

WorkingMummy84

How would I go about stopping them trying to persue me?

neilmcl

Reply to them stating that you believe the debt to be statute barred under the Limitations Act 1980 and any further contact from them will be regarded as harrassment.

There's a template letter here: http://www.debtwatchdog.com/statute-barred-debt-england-and-wales-Article-215.html or have a look on the debt forum.

WorkingMummy84

Thank you very much for all your help.

:beer:

whitelabel

so as a side note.

I take it this "free" credit search, is passing on info to debt collectors to chase people.... is that in the terms and conditions you signed up to ?

would be a DPA breach if not..

sweep9

There is usually a clause when you sign up for credit checks that the information will be posted to the GAIN system (Gone Away Information Network)

They'll have got the information from there

vax2002

Yes free credit checks are honey traps, they know people hiding from debt will eventually see if curiosity does kill the cat.
They will continue harassment until you rudely rebuff the phonecalls.

fluffnutter

And as another aside... don't list your phone number in future. Why do they need this? As you've discovered, it's just means you're now getting harassed....