BW legal- chasing for debt from 2012

mmw92

mmw92 said:

Fighter1986 said:

BW Legal's activities are very close to, if not just beyond the edge of the law.

You've notified them that the debt is statute barred. Don't follow it up, don't sweat it, don't think about it any more at all.

If you get any more letters from them, put them back in the letterbox unopened marked "RETURN TO SENDER - UNSOLICITED"

You're in the right. 

Hi there! 

I just got another letter through from BW legal, showing that they sent a letter in 2014 to my old address where the internet broadband was set up in my name. Whilst the 'debt' is from 2012, it looks like they were following it up in 2014- but this is the only evidence they were able to show me- nothing later than 2014. The letter says that I now have to settle this, and that this letter concludes any outstanding queries. If i do not settle this within the next 10 days  it says they will move to further collections activity. I am very scared now, because just at the start of this week I have applied for a mortgage and I am worried this will now complicate things. Even though the contacted me in 2014 ( I never received this letter, at all, and they aren't showin g me any further attempts to contact me since 2014), does this mean I have to pay this bill? I live with my parents now, and once I move they will remain at my address- I don't want them being harrassed by debt collectors. 

Actually I just looked at it again- it isn't a letter from 2014. It's just a bill that says as of August 2014 I owed £177. But it doesn't have a copy of the letter- it doesn't show that it was sent to me in 2014. 

JessePinkman26

Hi, Someone more versed in these things will be along shortly I'd imagine and I wouldn't take my word as gospel but this would be my take..
A letter/bill from August 2014 will be statute barred as of August 2020 this is why they are contacting you now, because if you acknowledge this debt at all, it allows them to continue 'collection' activity which could potentially mean CCJ.  Ignore anything that says further action/ 25% blah blah - this is just scaremongering to get you to pay.

They are contacting you now as the debt will be statute barred in August of this year. As long as you do not acknowledge this debt, in a months time it will be statute barred.  In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the debt remains in existence but a creditor is unable to initiate court proceedings to recover it. In practical terms, this effectively means the debt is written off, even though technically it still exists.

This is a good link for more info: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/can-i-write-off-debt/statute-barred-debt.aspx
I'd personally suggest you do not acknowledge this debt in any way shape or form. 

Malkytheheed

I agree with Jesse but I aweait @sourcrates to come along and keep us right. 

sourcrates

I would take the chance and wait this one out, its most likely time barred already, all "further collection activity" means is they will continue writing to you, and trying to call.

Covid-19 has stopped courts from working, they have at present a backlog that will take 10 years to clear !!!!! no bailiff action till August, and no debt collectors knocking on doors either, you would get advance warning of impending legal action, by way of a LBA (letter before action) brave new world.

mmw92

sourcrates said:

I would take the chance and wait this one out, its most likely time barred already, all "further collection activity" means is they will continue writing to you, and trying to call.

Covid-19 has stopped courts from working, they have at present a backlog that will take 10 years to clear !!!!! no bailiff action till August, and no debt collectors knocking on doors either, you would get advance warning of impending legal action, by way of a LBA (letter before action) brave new world.

Thank you so much! I contacted Citizens Advice Bureau who have told me what to write to them- essentially to tell them that this is statute barred and now case closed. The thing from 2014 isn't even a proof that I paid anything or admitted the debt. So I sent off my response which is essentially the same as before.