Debt paid not shown on Credit report

Hellotoyou

I have been paying debt agencies direct debits for several years now (Capquest etc.). My credit report however shows no record of these debts or transactions. These debts may have belonged to my late husband. Should I continue to pay them, or cancel the direct debits? Thank you

eskbanker

If they were his debts then they should have been settled from his estate, if there was enough in it, and if there wasn't then they wouldn't have passed to you but would have to have been written off by the lenders when they became aware of his death - who administered this at the time?  If there's no record of them on your credit files then this would be worth investigating further, preferably via any correspondence or other paperwork that you have rather than having to contact the lenders....

Hellotoyou

The only paperwork I appear to have is current statements which show what I have paid and the balance remaining. Is it lawful if I cancel the direct debits? These files are not shown on my Credit Report via Experian. Thank you for your quick response.

eskbanker

Firstly, perhaps worth checking your other credit files too, there are three separate agencies and none of them can be guaranteed to have all the credit info so you should go to each to build the comprehensive picture: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

If you're still none the wiser, you can ask the companies concerned to prove that the debt is yours if you have no paperwork at all with the debtor's name on it: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter

It's not unlawful to cancel the direct debits but this isn't likely to be a good idea, at least not at this stage, as if you cancel these, the lenders will still come chasing for payment.  The key issue is finding out if you're liable for the debts, so that should take precedence....

Who dealt with the estate when your husband passed away?