Been hiding for too long

ToastCentral

Hi,

I don't know where to start or do at the minute and I'm hope for some guidance.

Back in 2003, I was a little stupid and took a £2k loan out to pay for an holiday and for a little bit extra, During that time I was paying it back perfectly fine then I lost my job, I then took out a credit card and another loan...I was paying Peter to pay Paul...And what an idiot at the time I just kept doing it.

When I did finally return to work, I estimated I was around £10k in debt and I started paying some of it back, but debt collectors kept piling on the pressure and not accepting any offers I gave to them and repayment plans and kept asking for more and more, eventually it got so bad that I just said look I can't pay anymore and I got the debt in total down to about £8k but they kept piling on interest etc... so about 2005 I didn't pay them anymore and said just take me to court.

From that time onwards I've ignored their letters and phone calls just because I couldn't take the pressure and stress anymore and I've hid from it for too long. Obviously I've not taken anymore credit out since 2005 because I couldn't.

I'm surpised I've got no CCJ's or anything, I've checked my credit report and it's clean, not an outstanding debt on it and experian gives me a 980 credit score out of 999.

I've just started receiving letters again, this time from a company call Ruthbridge asking for around £2k for a debt that was orignally £300, which I've not acknowledge and because it would have been taken out between 2003 and 2005 I can't even remember taking it out!

What do I need to do? Regarding my old old debts that I've had no contact from any collectors or the original owners from for over 5 years at least, Can they still claim the debt from me? Has it really gone away?

and also this new letter I've recieved today, how should I handle it?

Many thanks

RAS

These debts will be statute barred. You are not required to pay them.

McKneff

Debts/defaults automatically drop off your credit file after 6 years.

You do in effect still owe the money but it is not enforceable.

If the letters are still coming just write to them and tell them that the debts are now statute barred and to stop contacting you and if they do youwill consider it to be harrassment and will take the appropriate action.

Good luck.