DWP chasing debt over 11 yrs ago

puffykat2000

Hi All

DWP wrote to me last year asking for a debt to be paid. I wrote back saying I had no knowledge and they should produce evidence. I also told them the debt was statute limited if there was a genuine one as I had last been in the benefits system over 11 yrs ago and had not heard a thing about this.

They wrote back with no evidence, but stated it was not statute limited. They did however, say they could not pursue court action over it.

They then passed it to Credit Solutions Ltd who wrote in December. I wrote back with the usual statute limited letter and a leaflet from the National Debt Helpline stating it was statute barred.

They wrote back this long convuluted letter to confuse me I think, saying I think that it wasn't statute barred but then in the next breath saying it effectively was.

This morning I received a letter off Power2Contact saying they are sending someone round if I don't contact Credit Solutions Ltd within the next 72 hrs. Letter was dated 27 December but I only got it this morning.

Now what do I do?

I'm not dodging this debt, but I only keep financial records for 7/8 yrs, have no recollection of the debt, have never acknowledged it - just asked for proof. I am terrified of someone knocking on the door. Help!!!

fermi

Power2Contact are just Credit Solutions using a different letterhead.

The debt is statute barred.

DWP can still ask you to pay if the debt is valid, and/or deduct from future benefits. They just can't take you to court.

Any debt collector must also burger off and stop hassling you once you tell them it is disputed or statute barred.

It is very very unlikely that anyone will call. If they do, then just tell them to get lost.

If you want to reply just repeat in writing that..

- The debt is disputed and statute barred.
- Their only choice is to return the debt to DWP so they can resolve the dispute.
- And that you will not be engaging further with them under any circumstances.

puffykat2000

Thank you Fermi. I have been getting myself so worked up over this. I've done another letter to Credit Solutions telling them again I dispute the debt and it would be statute barred anyway if indeed genuine.

I don't want them knocking at the door as hubby works shifts so would disturb him while asleep. I feel scared to be at home because of this.

I have a long term chronic illness and stress is a trigger for it, so trying to stay unstressed but it's hard. I do work full time though, but I can't remember what happened 11 hrs ago, let along over 11 yrs ago! The debt they allege is £258 I can't imagine it would be worth all of this time and money to send someone out.

Has anyone had any experience of getting this successfully resolved or these idiots off their backs?

HappyMJ

Just don't answer the door...they will leave with an uncollected debt and return it to the creditor for further action. Nothing further can be done.

harrys_dad

It is highly unlikely they will knock on your door for such a small amount (although I realise it may be big for you). If they do they have no rights whatsover. Send the letter advised above and if they continue to contact you threaten to report them to the Financial Ombusdsman Service, which will cost them more money than the debt is worth.

fatbelly

This old post of mine might be of interest

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43365766&postcount=78

keithrgj

i was contacted last week by the DWP over a crisis loan outstanding from 1994

DSAR sent, i will update with the response

puffykat2000

harrys_dad wrote: »

It is highly likely they will knock on your door for such a small amount (although I realise it may be big for you). If they do they have no rights whatsover. Send the letter advised above and if they continue to contact you threaten to report them to the Financial Ombusdsman Service, which will cost them more money than the debt is worth.

Do you mean highly unlikely? I would have thought that the amount would have put them off visiting, but you never know. I'm sending the letter tomorrow first class recorded. Hope it gets there in time to stop them seeing as their letter says 27th December and I only got it today!

puffykat2000

fatbelly wrote: »

This old post of mine might be of interest

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43365766&postcount=78

Fingers crossed this still applies. I really haven't got a clue if I owe it or not. Surely they would provide the evidence. I guess DWP will just give it a good shot, try and scare you into paying without questioning. No-one else would pay a bill over ten/eleven years old without asking for proof, so quite why they expect us to pay them without proof beats me.

puffykat2000

keithrgj wrote: »

i was contacted last week by the DWP over a crisis loan outstanding from 1994

DSAR sent, i will update with the response

What?????!!! 19 years ago??!! :eek: For goodness sake! Do you have records about it? Keep us posted.

[Deleted User]

the dwp can persue you for a debt for as long as they chose to and while its true they cant take you to court they can and will deduct it from the next state benefit you receive even if its your state pension