Statute Barred Debt?

scaredofdebt

Hi just after some advice.
I was on a DMP that started in 2009, my belief is that all debts were either paid or I am still paying them off (one debt remains) with monthly payments agreed with the creditors.  
I got a letter out of the blue about two months ago from Wescot saying they had a debt acquired from Idem (Who I have never heard of) for £8k or so and they wanted payment setting up.
I queried this and they have just rung me to say my previous address matches so as far as they are concerned it's my debt.  I am awaiting everything in writing including where the debt initially came from.  Their letter in response to my query states "........we need to ensure that we have contacted the correct person" which doesn't inspire confidence.
I have lived in the current address for nearly 8 years and have had zero communication from Idem, I redirected the mail from the old address for a year and owned that property until recently as it was being rented out, the tenants have been passing my mail on to me once the mail redirection had finished, although there was hardly anything to pass on.
What are the rules around debts being statute barred if it is indeed mine?
I have a very common name, not quite John Smith but not far off.
Thanks for any advice.

fatbelly

The first step would be a prove-it letter, which you have effectively done, so see what comes back.

We have a little suite of standard letters as a sticky thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6027755/statute-barred-debts-and-the-limitation-act

One is a hybrid letter that may be useful if it looks like  it may or may not be your debt but anyway there has been a six-year period with no acknowledgement by payment or in writing. It's post 4 on the thread