Overseas credit card debt

branbarn

Hi

Don't know if anyone can help; we moved back to the UK 5 years ago from the UAE.this week we received a letter from a UK solicitor telling us we owe money from a credit card we had there. My husband asked for proof and they sent us a scanned credit card application form but no other information/proof which we had asked for. My husband is of the opinion that as they haven't given us proof that this is our debt (which it isn't) we should just ignore them but I am having sleepless nights about this.

I can't find any info on overseas credit card debt etc so any advice would be gratefully received.

kloana

Debt evasion is an offence in the UAE - just so you're aware, should you ever attempt to return there. If you default on debts in the UAE, you can find yourself imprisoned, prior to deportation.

Who is the alleged credit card provider? Are they well known, in UAE, or elsewhere? Perhaps contact the card provider directly, and ask for a copy of your credit agreement or similar. In the UK, no credit agreement = they can't prove you owe the debt. In the UAE...God knows, as you know what it can be like there

Likewise, who are the solicitor - can you find a UK or international website indicating that they are a genine law firm (or, debt collection agency - many of their letters can be trumped-up to appear 'legal').

I'm thinking possible scam.

branbarn

Thanks for your response. We don't ever intend returning to Dubai, the cc was with a bank which then merged with another UAE bank, I have looked at the solicitors chasing and they are a genuine company. I am not sure what to do apart from asking the solicitors for more proof.

Buzby

It appears you are not disputing that the card account existed, just that a debt remains outstanding. As they have responded with the application details, they clearly have the authority from their client to pursue it.

Tell them that you were aware of the card, and are querying that any amount is outstanding and would like proof of this. From memory, there is no limitations statute in the UAE, so this may be an issue preventing pursuit in the UK - so caution advised should you ever go back.

Joshua_Wilson

As far as I know, debt evasion is an big offence in the UAE. If you default on debts in the UAE, you can be imprisoned before you get deported.

Who are the ones involved in this? Did you ask for a copy of your credit agreement?

Vortigern

A copy of the credit card agreement would be of little use here as there is no dispute that the account existed. What the OP needs is copies of statements (for the last 5 years) to determine when/where the debt arose and whether the transaction(s) may be fraudulent. Does the UAE have anything like Experian/Equifax?