Been threatened with CCJ over credit card. What do I do?

Dexter274

I've had a letter from a third party debt collector agency called marlin for a egg credit card balance.
They've said I need to contact them within 7 days of the date on the letter or they are going to start court proceedings against me. What should I do?
This credit card has been in default since October 2009 so will come off my record next year.
Anyone have any advice or has dealt with this company before?
Many thanks

UglyJoe

Dexter274 wrote: »

I've had a letter from a third party debt collector agency called marlin for a egg credit card balance.
They've said I need to contact them within 7 days of the date on the letter or they are going to start court proceedings against me. What should I do?
This credit card has been in default since October 2009 so will come off my record next year.
Anyone have any advice or has dealt with this company before?
Many thanks

Why haven't you/don't you repay the debt? :huh:

Whatever the case, I certainly suggest you contact them asap and in any case within the 7 days specified.

Voyager2002

I suggest you read the advice on this board very carefully...

If you contact them then they will know for sure where you are, and will be in a strong position to extract money from you. If you make even a token payment or otherwise 'acknowledge' the debt then the six years starts again...

longtermplanner

This debt is not close to being statute barred. If they apply for a CCJ before the 6 years are up, the default will drop off your credit file after 6 years but the CCJ will remain for another 6 years.

It is possible the debt collector is bluffing. But if they have your correct address and if you have any assets or a good job, this is not a risk you should probably take.

After all this time they will almost certainly take a full & final settlement if you are in a position to offer one.

If you have other debts, then you should perhaps tackle the full situation, not just fire-fight this one.

savingmummy

Call and arrange affordable repayments is what I would do.


I`ve found contacting and arranging payment plans as soon as I have a problem repaying has stopped unwanted stress and worry.


If your not wanting to pay it back then you`ll have to continue ignoring them for another year!

BillJones

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I suggest you read the advice on this board very carefully...

If you contact them then they will know for sure where you are

They already know where the OP is, the OP knows that it is a legitimate debt, and they are risking a court judgement against them if they don't pay it off.

eyeopener2

Dexter274 wrote: »

I've had a letter from a third party debt collector agency called marlin for a egg credit card balance.
They've said I need to contact them within 7 days of the date on the letter or they are going to start court proceedings against me. What should I do?
This credit card has been in default since October 2009 so will come off my record next year.
Anyone have any advice or has dealt with this company before?
Many thanks

Ok, let's find some facts out before anybody else jumps on you.

How much is it for?

When did you last make a payment?

Have you had any other letters before this one?

First thing first is send a prove it letter and see what they have on you, if anything. At the very least it gives you time to collect your thoughts on how you want to approach it. Ie if you intend making a payment arrangement, how much can you afford.

The prove it letter is in the info at the top of the board, send that buy yourself some time and see what they say.

harveybobbles

I suggest you read the letter correctly - does it contain words like if/may/could..?

No DCA scum will go near court.

Dexter274

eyeopener2 wrote: »

Ok, let's find some facts out before anybody else jumps on you.

How much is it for?

When did you last make a payment?

Have you had any other letters before this one?

First thing first is send a prove it letter and see what they have on you, if anything. At the very least it gives you time to collect your thoughts on how you want to approach it. Ie if you intend making a payment arrangement, how much can you afford.

The prove it letter is in the info at the top of the board, send that buy yourself some time and see what they say.

This is the first letter threatening to take me to court and at the top of the letter it says important notice bold and underlined then states if I don't get in touch with them in 7 days from the date of the letter they are going to take legal action against me.

The last time I made a payment was back in 2009. Main reason was because I've been in and out of hospital and not working.

The amount is just under £3.5k.

I don't know if this letter is a scare tactic or not but I'm worried sick. I know it's my own fault etc etc but to explain how I got here would take a year and I'd appreciate some non judgemental help.

Many thanks

eyeopener2

I bet it says they MAY take your to court IF you don't respond.

Do as I suggest and write a prove it letter, basically asking them to provide proof that a) you owe it, and b) they can actually collect it.

This stalls the game for a few weeks and gives you time to decide what to do.

If they come back with proof then you can either offer them a payment you can afford (not what they want you to pay) or offer a full and final settlement that is less than the full amount, but that is only if you have any spare cash.

Because of the dates I think they will have something so start thinking how much you can afford to offer, but still send a prove it letter to see what they have. It also shows them you're no push over, as they like to bully people. They also tell lies so beware.

DO NOT PHONE THEM.

Dexter274

eyeopener2 wrote: »

I bet it says they MAY take your to court IF you don't respond.

Do as I suggest and write a prove it letter, basically asking them to provide proof that a) you owe it, and b) they can actually collect it.

This stalls the game for a few weeks and gives you time to decide what to do.

If they come back with proof then you can either offer them a payment you can afford (not what they want you to pay) or offer a full and final settlement that is less than the full amount, but that is only if you have any spare cash.

Because of the dates I think they will have something so start thinking how much you can afford to offer, but still send a prove it letter to see what they have. It also shows them you're no push over, as they like to bully people. They also tell lies so beware.

DO NOT PHONE THEM.

Thanks so much. Where do I find the prove it letter again? Also should I sign this letter?

The 7 days is up on Friday so should I send the prove it letter recorded?

It's a debt I honestly thought had been paid by my family when I was poorly in hospital.