How long can they chase you for?

devonmark

Hi all.

A quick question, and i don't mean it to sound as cheeky as it sounds.

During my younger days i was a knightmare with money, i would get credit cards and loans and think nothing about not giving them my knew address when i moved.

About 5 years ago, I bought my first house and completely changed my ways.

I paid off all my old council tax and utility bills etc. But there were a couple of things that were huge (loan for 8K and credit card for 2K) and they just scared me. so when i moved i never told them my new address. I haven't heard anything from the loan for 7 years or the credit card for 5 years.

The other day i got a letter from a company called clarity debt management,
and am worried what they want.

There is an old house wifes tale that they cant chase you after 6 years is this correct?

Thankyou in advance

Mark.

rog2

If you have made no payment to, or had any written contact with, the creditor for six years, then, under the Limitations Act 1980, this debt is 'statute barred' and can not be collected.
There are certain exceptions - mainly to do with property and crown debts.
It is better explained here:

http://www.payplan.com/debt-library/joint-and-several-liability-the-limitation-act-1980.php

okra

I had a letter from Clarity debt management last week too (an 'URGENT, call us about a personal matter' type letter) and when I called them, they were chasing a store card debt from mid-2000. It is definitely statute barred, and I have written to them the standard letter given to me by MSErs and havev yet to hear anything back. They have so far been fine to deal with, though. Non-agressive etc

Just wanted to let you know that as a company they haven't been agressive, like some, (so far!) and you're not the only one. Maybe they have been buying lots of statute barred stuff lately.

purplejoxxx

Im in the same kind of position with debt kind of everywhere. I too was completely irresponsible financially when I was younger and there are debts out there that I can even remember.

I have recently requested my credit reference as I am now married and priorities are different but it is proving a bit of a mare.

Good luck to anyone is in this position but it really helps to know Im not the only one who was silly enough to land myself here!!

xx

devonmark

okra wrote: »

I have written to them the standard letter given to me by MSErs

Where do I get one of these letter templates from?

How should I approach this one? Should i call them and deny all knowledge and then write to them claiming its 'statute barred'? I only ask as on the website link given in the first reply it states:

"Don't admit to owing the money

Once you agree to owing the outstanding amount then you are required to pay the debt back. If a payment is made, even after a 6-year gap, the Limitations Act 1980 won't be enforceable and the debt will have to be paid back.

If a creditor, who you haven't had any communication with for 6 years contacts you about the debt you should write to them quoting the Limitations Act 1980."

As you may imagine i am fairly nervous about contacting them and don't want to do or say anything wrong.

Thanks

Mark

CLAPTON

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act