Old debts

whyso

I have discovered that I have a few old debts from a number of years ago, that occurred due to me leaving the country.

They are now with Cabot and Lowell. 

I was out of the country for so long that I now have two credit records. One at my previous address which has the debts and one where my new accounts are at. My credit file at my old address has all my old debt and all my old addresses.

My new files with Equifax, Experian and Transunion has no record of my old accounts and no record of my old addresses. I am on the electoral register but they have not been able to link me with any of the old addresses to me. My new record is clean and I've been given imaginary credit scores in the 800's

I discovered the old debts by logging into an old Clearscore account. This prompted me to log into an old email address and I have discovered that one debt collector offered me a 50% discount at the end of 2022 which has now expired, and another has just this month offered me a 40% discount.

If I'd seen the 50% discount last year I'd have paid it. The debts are not yet Statute Barred. They're around 5 - 5 1/2 years since last payment.

Can anyone advise how I would go about getting the discount again without giving them my new address? I'm not sure they would offer it over the phone and the email addresses that sent the offers are all no-reply. They also have no email addresses listed on their websites.

I don't want this to get to the stage where I get a CCJ. I'll pay if I get the discount again, as with the discount it is just about affordable. Most of the other 50% of the debt is just fee and charges. Old bank and credit card debt.

If I don't get the discount again then I won't pay. Don't want to negotiate with them and in the process give my new address, have the credit files linked, and get nothing from it.

Rob5342

How long is it until they become stattute barred?

fatbelly

6-12 months, according to the op.

It's not clear that he understands that if the last payment pre-dates the default date, it works off the default date. So may be a bit longer.

The choices seem to be

1. Engage. Be open. Make an offer on a without prejudice basis using National Debtline letter

https://nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/full-and-final-settlement-offer/

2. Ignore and run the small risk of court action at the old address.

whyso

fatbelly said:

6-12 months, according to the op.

It's not clear that he understands that if the last payment pre-dates the default date, it works off the default date. So may be a bit longer.

The choices seem to be

1. Engage. Be open. Make an offer on a without prejudice basis using National Debtline letter

https://nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/full-and-final-settlement-offer/

2. Ignore and run the small risk of court action at the old address.

To use that form I'd have to give them my current address. Is there anyway to engage with them via email? No address is listed on their websites.

You say 'small risk' of court action. Why is it small? I thought they would file for a CCJ as standard. Keeps the debt alive and gives them a further 6 years to collect. Is that not the norm? I also see a lot of posts from people saying they have discovered CCJs at old addresses that they knew nothing off as they moved away without having contact with the debt collector.

fatbelly

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't engage by email.

As a rough guide about one in ten defaulted consumer credit debts see court action. If they know the debtor has moved abroad, that's usually the end of the matter, even if they return.

There isn't really any middle ground. It's either engage or don't engage. It's your choice.