Finding old debts and dealing with DCA's

DalePie

Hi,

So i have hidden from my debts for a number of years and have moved house, stayed off the electoral register and generally kept my head in the sand.

After lurking on here for a year i finally made a new years resolution to start my debt free journey, so far i have added myself to the electoral role so i can be found and ordered a copy of my credit report from Experian so i can see exactly what's going on. I have opened a basic bank account too so my money is kept safe.

So far i have recieved 3 letters from DCA's chasing debts.

• 1 From 1st Call for Egg Card.
• 1 From 1st Call for Quick Quid.
• 1 From Lowell's for 3 Mobile.

I have roughly 6 debts in all totalling £8000.

How can i check that these debt companies actually own the debt in question? Should i send a "prove it" letter and follow it up with a CCA request so i can be sure? I just don't want to end up paying the wrong company because it sounds like these guys are sharks! :eek:

Another question i have is about offers. The letters say i can negotiate a settlement which would be lower than the original amount. Is this a good idea?

Thanks Guys, I wouldn't have posted except you all sound like a nice bunch of non judgmental people

Tixy

Hi

Firstly - how long have you been 'hiding' from the debts? could any be statute barred (that is more than 6years with no payment from you and no written acknowledgement that you owe the money - or 5 if you are in Scotland).

If not statute barred then still start with the prove it letter first to see what they reply with.
Depending on what they reply with then you may want to do a CCA request for any cards/loans etc (not mobiles or overdrafts).

If they establish it is your debt then yes a full & final settlement can be a good idea - read this article for information about getting it in writing etc from them - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=24_full_and_final_settlement_offers

DalePie

The debts started mounting in 2009 so they won't be statute barred yet. I think i'll go with the prove it letter first.

Thanks for the national debtline link too :beer:

DS4215

Send them a prove-it letter - you might find out that the debt is statute barred. If it turns out that you owe the debt you can then make them an offer. Start low and work upwards.