Debt from 2005

Neelie

Hello

I need some advice please! Today I was shocked to receive a letter from a debt collection agency called Wescot on behalf of British Gas. The letter states that I owe over £900. At first I thought that it was a complete mistake so phoned British Gas and was advised that they would amend their records but I have now received an email from them confirming the address that it relates too. It's from a flat that I lived in from Feb 2005 to May 2005. This is the first I have heard of it! I lived at the flat for such a short time and it was so long ago that I can't even remember owing anything to them! Can they chase me for debt that is over 8 years old? Debt that I don't even think I owe?

macman

It's statute barred after 6 years.
Did you pay the closing bill at that address?

Neelie

I honestly can't remember Macman. If it is barred the why are they allowed to suddenly chase me for it...?

macman

'Barred' means that the debt cannot be enforced-i.e. any legal action will fail. That doesn't prevent a creditor or DCA pursuing it though.

Neelie

What should I do? Just ignore it?

Cardew

This is an excellent thread.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2606811

Neelie

Thank you Cardew!

Mizzpey

Hi
I am new and don't know how to post a new thread? So hoping I can just do it here?

I owed my previous bank money after being given a fake bankers draft over 10 years ago when I sold my watch (yes really dumb and naive) the bank cashed it and I spent the money toward getting a car to run my kids to school as my partner had just left us. It wasn't until over a week later that the bank wrote to me (enclosing the bankers draft) and said it was fake and I needed to pay them back the money, needless to say, I was in a state of shock!. Anyhow I have been paying them a small amount monthly (and still am) as I felt it was their fault for not doing their job properly in the beginning, I had no idea it was fake! As I say have been faithfully paying monthly, so from £1000 I now owe them £419. I received a letter from Wescot last week saying I owe them £516 (quite a difference) but because they don't have the correct date of birth, they are going to investigate before they ask me to pay THEM? Can you help me with some advice please as the balance is wrong by almost £100.

Thanks so much
Dawn