experian credit file

moonrakermagpie

Hi, A week or two ago I helped my daughter apply to Experian for their offer of a free credit report, cannot remember whether it was from information on this forum or not.

We filled in the application form with her details and filled in one part of the form with one of her previous addresses.

They E-mail me after a couple of days to say that they could not fully confirm her I.D and said she would have to send proof of I.D in order to gain access to her credit file.

Although she has various other debts which we are dealing with, TODAY right out of the blue, she has just received a letter from a DCA stating that she has to pay £367 or they will take her to court. (as she will struggle to pay even £5 a month it would be pretty pointless.)

MY question is ...Why have they only just stated to pursue this debt after at least five years or more.

Could it be that as we entered a previous address on the experian application form, that has meant that they now have a contact address for her now.

I guess in hind site that it was a bit of a mistake entering any info on the form other than the bare minimum, but it is very difficult to always think of the come backs.

Could this be the reason why the letter has now arrived or is it just a coincidence.

Many thanks Steve

RAS

Moonraker

Do not know the answer but the debt may be statute barred, if she has not acknowledged it for six years or more.

There are a class of DCA who specifically buy up debts that are six years old, or very nearly 6 years old and then chase the debtor. Would suggest that you do not contact the DCa until you have more advice on here and maybe you list the DCA so people can advise you.

moonrakermagpie

Hi thanks RAS, The company is THAMES CREDIT and the original debt is with GE Capital credit card for New Look shop.

As "E" was so worried, I have phoned the DCA and said we have no idea what this is all about and do not accept any liability for this debt.

I explained that I would be sending a letter requesting the original CCA similar to the letter we sent to moorcroft (as in my other thread) which we downloaded from this site.

They seemed to know what I was on about (as they would) and he said he would get it and send it out to us.

Ok, I know it may not be the best move to contact them, but "E" was quite worried, and I am pretty sure that a phone call is not proof of anything other than that they have sent the letter.

"E" is saying that if it is to do with her then it is from about six years ago or more.

Many thanks

Steve

RAS

Thames are one of the DCAs who specialise in old debts that are almost or are statute barred, they feature regularly.

You might want to get hold of rog2 again.

I would not be surprised if this debt is a few weeks shy of 6 years out of date.

Contacting them by phone does not consituste acknowledgement, although they may tell you it does.

fermi

If it really is six or more years since either written acknowledgement or payment of the debt by your daughter, then the debt will indeed be "Statute Barred".

Please read this factsheet:

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

which includes a letter to send.

fermi

RAS wrote: »

I would not be surprised if this debt is a few weeks shy of 6 years out of date.

Yep. These letters very often appear a few months/weeks before the six years are up. In others words, last ditch attempt to collect.:rolleyes:

moonrakermagpie

Hi thanks for the replies, Thing is "E" does not know if it is more than six years old but it is around that time.
What would happen if I was to send the statute barred letter and it was under the six years.

Although the guy on the phone has said they would send the original signed copy of the credit agreement, should I send the letter requesting it if it does not arrive

Many thanks

Steve