An old debt. Help please

astjon

Sorry for sending this long letter. I hope you will understand it even if English isn't my first language. But here we go.
In 2006-2007 I did as many other people, send my bank a letters regarding the overdraft overcharge etc. Letters that were displayed here on MoneySavingExpert. In August 2007 I had to move abroad with a short notice due to family problems so I send the bank one more letter where I told them about my move. I had some planned overdraft on my account but my calculation was that they owed me more than I owed them. However, I gave them my new address abroad and moved. I never heard from them these 5 years I lived there. Then in 2012 I moved back to England. Opened a bank account in a different bank, as my friend is working in that bank and recommended it to me. Have paid my taxes, NI, Credit Cards, you name it.
In last month I got a letter from this bank I used to bank with telling me the letters they send out were send back to them (RTS) and the debt was now owned by some debt collection agency and I owed over £3000. Well, I didn't send the letters back, so much is sure. I've asked this debt collection company since when the debt is and they don't know but are going to find out. Well, it is most likely the overdraft I had in 2007 and I find it odd when you try to collect money from someone you don't even know when since the debt is.
What is the best I can do in this situation. It's 7 1/2 years since I heard from the bank last time. And to be honest it is making my life very difficult and is affecting my sleep as I'm constantly thinking/dreaming about this.
Hope someone can help me, please.
All the best...

Tixy

Hi

I've asked this debt collection company since when the debt is and they don't know but are going to find out.

Have you spoken to them by phone? or did you do this in writing?

If the creditor has never taken court action against you then it is quite likely that this debt may be statute barred, if it is this means you cannot legally be made to pay the debt.

If they chase you again then I would suggest that you send a hybrid letter saying that you have no knowledge of any outstanding debt and it would be statute barred - see post #5 of this thread - Statute barred debts and the Limitation Acts

astjon

Thank you Trixy.
What a great help you are.
I responded to them in writing but now they are asking me to call them.
How can I see if they have taken court action against me at some point during these years.

Once again, big thanks.

sourcrates

astjon wrote: »

Thank you Trixy.
What a great help you are.
I responded to them in writing but now they are asking me to call them.
How can I see if they have taken court action against me at some point during these years.

Once again, big thanks.

Hi,
You would need to check your credit file, all information will be listed on there.
You can register, and check your file, at Noddle, for free, link below :

https://www.noddle.co.uk/?showSocialMediaLightbox=True

Once registered, you will have unlimited free access, if any CCJ`s have been registered against your name, they will be listed in the "public information" section of your file, details of any other debts will also be there, in the "accounts" section.

Do bear in mind, there are two other credit reference agencies :

http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpert2/04_credit_score.html?sc=701789&gclid=CM6BjOi1pcQCFcfMtAod8VoAMQ

and,

http://www.equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/credit-score.html?cmp=brand|brand|purebrand_exact|&gclid=CLTK3vm1pcQCFSzKtAodAU0ADw&gclsrc=aw.ds

With these two you can order a copy of your file for a fee of £2 (statutory report), lenders can report to any of the 3 CRA`s, so you may need to check all three.

andyfromotley

astjon wrote: »

. I had some planned overdraft on my account but my calculation was that they owed me more than I owed them. .

Really!!!?

astjon

I received a letter for the debt collector today stating they have cancelled the outstanding balance and are sorry about any inconvenience caused!!!

sourcrates

Well done, great result !!!!