Provident - took them almost 5 years to contact me

xKayx

In 2009 I got £1000 from provident at a temporary address that I had been moved into while the HA was doing a damp course. The money was for wallpaper etc when moving back in to my old address.

The provident agent was aware of my previous address and situation with the temporary one and knew that I would be moving back to my old address.

However when I moved she stopped turning up for payment. I rang provident and told them and they said they would get her to contact me but they never did.

Then I came out of work and all of my debts were taken to my solicitor to agree small amounts to pay back. Provident was one of them but after repeated solictors letter no one replied.

Well I eventually forgot about it and almost 5 years later I have received a letter from buchanan clark and wells saying I owe £1500 to provident.

What is the best way to handle this? Can they do this after 5 years of ignoring my contact?

McKneff

Do you have copies of the solicitors letters to them.


When were they sent, can you remember.

Tixy

Assuming you are in England/Wales then yes your creditor can chase for debt payment and commence court action for up to 6years from the last payment or date you/your representative last wrote acknowledging the debt - so by the sound of it probably when your solicitor last wrote to them - is that around 5years ago?

Before you agree to pay you need to ask them to provide proof of the alleged debt - the prove it letter template is here - Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

Assuming they provide evidence of the debt and depending on your financial circumstances you could write to offer a monthly payment at a rate you can afford, or could try writing to offer a lower lump sum in full & final settlement of the debt.

Don't speak to them at all by phone, keep everything in writing.

xKayx

I have no copies but maybe the solicitors do? It was 2009.

McKneff

They should hopefully still have them x

matttye

Solicitors should keep your file for six years.