Debt Collection Agency on my tail! Help!

Worry-pants

:eek: I have had 2/3 letters addressed to my former married name at my present address where I now live under my maiden name.
The letter states: 'We have been authorised to recover from you the above debt which has been outstanding for some time. It is really important you make payment within 7 days from the date of this letter (10/01/13) to avoid the matter being escalated to the next stage of the debt collection process which involves a home visit." So we're at the home visit stage - now what?
The agency are Scotcall they say acting on behalf of a creditor - Arrow Global Limited and the amount they are trying to collect is £3840.77 I took out on a credit card in 2000 to try to keep my then business afloat.
I have had no contact from anybody in all that time since the credit card company passed it on and let it go in 2003 until now and for the last 3 weeks running, one of their agents has been coming to the house whom I have managed to avoid but clearly that is not a solution to be skulking around the place! I have not contacted them- I went underground in 2000 and have only just come out again recently.
Clearly, I have appeared on their radar as pursuable! What is my position? Are they trying it on; am I no longer liable for the debt? Do I send them an SB letter? Your advice as to how I handle this would be greatly appreciated - I don't want to make a first move uninformed and make a big mistake.
Thank you for your time
Worry-pants

fermi

Are you sure it is that debt?

Is so, it would be statute barred yes, if they have no CCJ. Which they most likely haven't if they are trying in on with doorstep collections and silly letters like that.

What you do really depends on how much it is bothering you.

You could print out the statute barred letter and give it to any collector who happens to catch you in, and tell them to burger off and not come back.

Or you could send the letter by post.

Or ignore.

Your call in the end.