10 year old credit card debt

RachelF2

Hi, my first post on here, hoping I can find someone who had perhaps had a similar experience and how they got out of it!

Ten years ago, maybe even 11 years ago, I took out a credit card with Alliance and Leicester, and managed repayments perfectly well since I was employed full time. Then was made redundant. I phoned A&L to ask if they could reduce my monthly repayments until I found a new job, but their response was that because I was technically unemployed they would have to up the interest rate by 10%, to 26.9%! I told them this meant I couldn't afford the minimum repayments but it made no difference to them, and so every month I got a statement saying I'd had an extra charge for not meeting the minimum payment, an extra charge for late payment, and all the extra interest on top. I did try ringing again and asking for a payment plan but because I didn't have enough money spare to meet the minimum repayment for the payment plan, they couldn't help! Yep, makes no sense at all!

Anyway, then I decided that enough was enough, and just stopped paying anything. At this time, nearly ten years ago, I think I owed nearly 4k. I had probably accrued at least half of that in interest and charges.

I had daily calls from Active Capital, and now it seems they have sold the debt to a company called BCW because I am getting texts from them now asking me to ring. I haven't contacted any debt agencies and ignore the calls.

Does anyone know if they have any power to send in bailiffs, take me to court etc? I have moved house several times since this problem started and they only have my mobile number which I can't change because I run a business. Up to now, my credit rating hasn't been affected. Many thanks if anyone can advise!

inmypocketnottheirs

What you need to do is get a copy if your credit report from Equifax, Experian and Call Credit. This will show if the debt is still on your credit file. If it isn't then it has dropped off. As long as you haven't had a County Court Judgement entered then any debts over 6 years old are statute barred and are uncollectable.

If the debt is showing, then the six year rule starts from the date that default marker was entered.

So I'd suggest you look at your credit files, find out what's showing and come back here for further advice.

RachelF2

Excellent, thank you, it must have dropped off then because I have a monthly subscription to Experian and there's no sign off it on there. Does that mean I can safely carry on ignoring the debt collectors or is there something I can say to them to stop them hassling me?

jonesMUFCforever

When was the last time you paid anything towards the debt or acknowledged it in any way?

RachelF2

I think it has to be 8 or maybe 9 years ago. I had calls from A&L for a good year or so then they sold it to Access (if I remember rightly) then they sold it to Active Capital now it appears BCW have bought it, I have never confirmed who I am even, to any person ringing since the first company, Access, which as I say must be 8 or 9 years ago now.

Tixy

Sounds like the debts are statute barred, take a look here for info and template letters - Statute barred debts and the Limitation Acts

RachelF2

That's really helpful, thank you :-)

Should I send a letter though, with my current address on or could they carry on hassling me via mail as well as phone/text? Or should I leave my address off then let them text me their reply? I don't answer phone calls from them!

jonesMUFCforever

RachelF2 wrote: »

That's really helpful, thank you :-)

Should I send a letter though, with my current address on or could they carry on hassling me via mail as well as phone/text? Or should I leave my address off then let them text me their reply? I don't answer phone calls from them!

There is a template letter to send from the sticky at the top of this forum.
I would put your address if you want a reply.