Paying off a default after it's dropped off?

Legacy_user

I've received an odd letter to my parents address about a debt from a flat I lived in with an ex. It's from a DC and the account in question was about ten years ago so it's not on my credit file (I've checked), and I've also got no idea where in the world my ex is now, should I just ignore it? Is there any sense in paying it if the supposed default wouldn't be on my file anymore anyway? I remember having the account but pretty sure it was paid off and buried many many years ago.

Tixy

What sort of debt is it? (credit account? utility bill? council tax etc)

System

It's a credit account, for about £250.

enfield_freddy

the dept collection company will have bought it and many others for pennies in the £ and are simply trying it on with the gullible.


IF you have not been in contact with the company that raised the charge , or consequent DCA for 6 yrs , then its over , don't throw the letter , file it , but don't worry

National_Debtline

Hi

Paying the debt off wouldn’t affect anything on your credit file now if the debt has already dropped off.

If you haven’t paid or acknowledged the debt in writing for over 6 years, and if you don’t have a CCJ for it, the debt will be statute barred and unenforceable if you live in England or Wales. It’s 5 years in Scotland.

You could send the collection agency the sample letter on this Time Limits factsheet. They’ll need to leave you alone if they can’t prove it’s not statute barred.

www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/25%20EW%20Time%20limits%20for%20recovering%20debts/Default.aspx#quicklink1


James
@natdebtline