If register on the electoral roll, will my debts bite me in the !!!!?

Tomarse_2

For years I've been intentionally avoiding registering on the electoral role through fear of any past debts (shared student house bills etc in my name) catching up with me whilst I'm (or at least wasn't) in a financial position to tackle them. *breathe* Now I've just found out that doing this goes heavily against my credit score.

Should I carry on not registering until my credit score comes back and I've had a chance to see if there's baliffs looking for me and deal with it? (Will it even tell me this?)

Or am I better off registering now?

Thanks peeps.

xgingerx

Hi, let me tell u my story, in Jan 2000 i went ot work abroad leaving a load of debts, I came back to uk in July 03 and move to a new address and went on the electoral role.

So as far as my credit report was it was a new file (Blank) as I had not linked any addresses to it. Anyway, I did obtain basic credit, small limts etc catalogues. Well I gave my previous address as offshore previously. One day I went into a shop in 2005 to get some thing on credit and said I need to give a previous uk address, so i said this is from years ago 1999 so they said thats ok, anyway big mistake i did and that then linked all my old debt to my new address. And then I did start getting letters chasing me for old debts, mainly with dca's as most the debts had been passed on.

It did take about a year after going on the electoral role to get me but this is how they got me

I know there is talk of this 6 year rule of statue barred and all that which at the time I didnt know about and might have got away with some but saying that if it went to court the Judge could have said i was out the country avoiding my debts so how could they contact me and in fact it has been known for when the 6 years is nearly up to apply for another CCJ for the same debt.

What should u do, i dont know as Im not in your shoes, what I did was offer full and final settlements and paid all off. but now 3 years later im in the same mess but for different resaons

Tomarse_2

Thanks for sharing.

Ok so it seems the wise move (in my random world of metaphors) is to clear the immediate problems and wait until I've built up a green crispy army before I take on the shackles and chains.

xgingerx

oh just one other thing I have been on the electoral role for nearly 3 years this january at my current adress and about a year ago i noticed Wescott (DCA) had searched my Equifax file without my knowledge, about 2 months after I though nothing of it until I got a letter about a very old debt, nearly 8 years ago. I did actaully pay it as it wasnt for much but think i was frightened into paying it.. It just shows how can they do this ?? too late for me as I hadnt heard of this site then.

Tomarse_2

Sorry, I'm new to all of this too... are you saying that they legally shouldn't have chased you for such an old debt? Is it in breach of the Data Protection Act or something?

xgingerx

Tomarse, hopefullt someone can come along soon to advice you better

I can only say what happened in my experience.

Good luck sorting it, but not been on the electoral role can cause problems as most creditors / banks like to see you on at your current address for 2-3 years or more as this show stability.

Tomarse_2

Honestly ginger, you've been very helpful and have given me some food for thought. Thanks again.

rayday2

This is from the National Debt Helpline website

"
OFT Debt Collection Guidance

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued debt collection guidance which looks at whether a debt is being collected fairly. They say:

• it is unfair to pursue the debt if you have heard nothing from the creditor for six years;
• the OFT thinks it is fair to keep trying to recover the debt if the creditor has been in regular contact with you during this time;
• it is unfair to mislead you by saying the debt is still legally recoverable when it isn't;
• it is unfair to keep pressing for payment after you have told them you won't be paying the debt because it is statute barred.

If this is happening then you can complain to your local trading standards department in the council. They can take up your case for you. You can also complain to the OFT. Their address is at the end of the fact sheet. The OFT does not usually take up individual cases but their debt collection licensing enforcement team collects information that can be used to take action against problem creditors, who can even lose their consumer credit licence."

So sort of summarising the Office of Fair Trading says its fair they keep in contact with you to pay a debt and if they leave it for 6 years with no contact in either direction then it becomes a grey area - worth giving it a go to contest it and see if you can get away with it but its not written in stone that you don't have to pay.

rayday2

Sorry forgot to say if you go on the National Debt Helpline website they have template letters you can send contesting the above.

Sorry head is in the shed! Also they can give you free over the phone advice if you are not sure.

uncle_pablo

Hi,

Im in much the same situation. had a few bad debts in the mid 90's (uni student loans and credit cards etc). Moved into my a house with my G/F. Mortgage was in her name to start with as I was not in permanent employment. Been in this house for about 5 years now, remortgaged into our joint names 18 months ago - no problem. I got a mobile phone, credit agreement for new camera etc.

Thought all was well.

3 weeks ago student loans co catches up with me - still owe £1800 (nightmare) agreed to pay off £35 p/m (not too worried about this one as such a low int rate. last week I get a letter from Thames Credit asking me to confirm If I am the person named on the letter. Got a feeling this could be about an old barclaycard debt from Uni - dont want to attach myself to any bad credit at our new home (G/F who is now my wife expecting our first baby and dont want her to get upset) She is sooooooooooooooooo precise with money its amazing - and I really respect her for it! Would Thames Credit be able to "blackmark" our address? VERY VERY VERY WORRIED.....

pABLO

Tomarse_2

Thanks again for all the suggestions.