Need advice

Just_sayin

Hi, I'm getting phone calls and letters from a Debt Recovery firm from a debt that I had 16 years ago. The letters are addressed to me in my previous married name and so far I have ignored the letters and calls. What should I do? I'm terrified that I will have them turn up on my doorstep. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-taff

Ignore them.
You could get into contact via post to say it's statute barred, if you haven't acknowledged or paid anything to it in 6 years, but it's probably better to just ignore them
Send the letters back as not known at this address.

Tixy

I would have a read of this - Statute barred debts and the Limitation Acts - and assuming you think it is statute barred you could send them the statute barred letter.

Very unlikely they would turn up at your doorstep, if they did just ask them to leave. Debt collectors are not bailiffs and have no powers at your doorstep and no rights to take any items etc.

Just_sayin

Cheers for advice guys - I will continue to ignore them for now. I have made no contact or payments for at least 15 years but they seem to be very persistent!

National_Debtline

Hello there,

If you believe the debt to be statute barred you may wish to send a letter stating that fact. The reason behind this is that it would switch the burden of proof to the people contacting you. If they continue to chase without merit it would be a solid ground for a complaint. We often see these firms close their file once they've been informed of the situation (although there are some that persist - and you should complain about them).

You can learn more about the rule of limitations and 'statute barred' debts here.

Best wishes,

David @ NDL.

Lensman_2

You have been given some good advice in this thread if you want to change you current strategy of ignoring them.

The only thing you must not ignore is a County Court Claim (in the unlikely event that you got one). If you did ignore it they would get judgement by default. Dealing with a claim for a statute barred debt is quite simple.

Saying that, the most likely outcome with your current strategy is that they will give up in a few months and sell it on.