Help with credit report and debt collectors please

dr_chud_1999

Hi

Apologies first for what must seem like stupid questions to you all but my head is becoming mashed trying to get me head around a few things.
Been in debt for an age, trying to sort things now, some things are being settled through the courts and i am sorting some things myself.
Question 1: I got my credit file from Experion and it does not contain details of one debt that is being chased by a company, but it does contain a debt from the same company for a separate figure if that makes sense. Does this mean that the debt they are chasing no longer exists? Sorry again for sounding stupid but it is an historic debt and I just dont have details anywhere of the one debt they are chasing.
2: I am being bombarded by BCW for a different debt. I have read loads about BCW and because of their aggression and attitude towards people, I do not want to approach them to try to sort this problem. Is there any other way around BCW or a best way to work with them?
3: I have sold a load of my things to get a small lump sum together to try to make offers on one or two of my debts to try to get them cleared at a percentage of the overall debt. Is it better to make offers myself or go through someone else, i:e the CAB?

Thanks in advance for any advice, it is much appreciated.

happy_bunny_2

What are the debts for?

When taken out?

When last paid?

For question 1, how different is the figure?

Tixy

1) it could be a debt that never appeared on your file, or it could be that it has dropped off your file (if its more than 6years since a default was registered against you).
2) In writing
3) usually yourself in writing. But don't make any payments until each debt collector has provided you with proof of the debt, and proof they have a right to collect it and also consider if any of your debts could already be statute barred.

As happy says - when did you last make payments to your debts?

dr_chud_1999

Thanks both.

The debts are all for banks and credit cards. The ones that are being contested are both for RBS. The one is for £250 ish which I know about and is on my credit report, the second ,which is not on my Experian report is again for RBS but is for £3.5k ish.

The debts are all old, they range from 4 - 6 years old.

Tixy, you mention not paying until the collector has proved they have the debt. Is there a template letter anywhere that you know of? And do you know the procedure for finding out if the debt is statute barred?
Again apologies if the info is here somewhere, i'm struggling to find things.
Thanks again

dr_chud_1999

And apart from the debts that have gone to court and are being payed now. The other debts have probably not been payed for 4 years or so.

Tixy

Hi

The prove it letter template here Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

A debt is statute barred if there is a period of 6years
-where you pay nothing towards the debt,
-do not acknowledge in writing you owe the debt (the above letter doesn't count as acknowledgement)
-if they don't commence court action against you.

Its 5years if you live in Scotland.

Some info on statute barred debts here - Statute barred debts and the Limitation Acts

If you are considering settlement offers this is useful - http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=24_full_and_final_settlement_offers

dr_chud_1999

Thank you very much Tixy