Away from UK 5 years and left some debts - advice please

Britabroad86

So I moved away from UK in Oct 2014 to travel for a few months and had a credit card I used while I was away. I ended up not returning to the UK at all (still am not back) and didnt pay the card bill. I have decided to sort out my Uk debts now and have just checked my credit file. I see there is now a CCJ on there for 2000GBP from April 2018 (no idea which potential creditor) and two credit card accounts in default. One is the one I know I used and didnt pay when travelling but I am not sure what the other one is - it was opened in 2014 according to the credit report information but no default issued by the credit card company only by the CRA it was clearly sold to in 2018. My question is where do i begin? i never received any notice of CCJ obv as I am out of the UK and have never acknowledged either debt listed. Would it be wise to offer full and final settlements to both CRAs and request this be added to my file? Do I challenge the CCJ? Are the CRA's likely to settle with me based on the fact I am not in UK and they cannot recover the money? Has anyone experienced this when leaving the UK and corrected it? I may wish to return to UK in next few years so am pre-empting any debt issues. Many Thanks!

sourcrates

Hi,
CRA means Credit reference agency, i`m not sure in what context you are referring to them here, as they only report the information provided too them by the creditor, they do not hold your debts.
There is not much you can do whilst overseas, wait until you return to the UK, then deal with it.
You cannot "challenge" a CCJ, you can only apply to set it aside if you did not receive the court papers, and you have a defense to the original claim, you do not deny owing the money, so that would be pointless.
When you say CRA, to what are you referring ? the credit reference agency, or the debt collection company that now owns your debt ?

Thrugelmir

If you were to return to the UK. You are going to start from ground zero as far as any credit score is concerned. The finance companies that you've defaulted upon will retain your details upon their files. Settling the debts now may have little impact as far as having any ongoing relationship in the future. 

jimbo26

Are you planning on returning to the UK? If not what is your motive for sorting these issues out now?

Britabroad86

Sorry I meant DCA who now own the debt! We are considering returning yes. I do not deny owing the money - what are the chances of them accepting a smaller Full and Final settlement? My credit report will be trash until 2022 at least which I have accepted but I wonder if I am more likely to settle the account for less if I am doing it from abroad?

Thrugelmir

CCJ will remain visible for 6 years. 

sourcrates

Britabroad86 said:

what are the chances of them accepting a smaller Full and Final settlement? 

Very good actually, debt collectors are always open to some kind of deal, however the problem will be the fact you are abroad, contact and payment might be difficult, but not impossible.