Old Debt 2019 Barclaycard

Claire0084

I have a Barclaycard debt for £7000, I had help from Step change Charity in 2019 to repay my debts. They contacted Barclay Card to stop the interest and froze the account for me to pay back. I then defaulted in 2019, COVID came I had a baby and moved house and I completely forgot about it until recently when I searched my credit file.

I have read that after 5yrs of no contact they cant take me to court for the money, do I have to pay it back? I believe it will be off my file in May 2025 but will debt always show? 

It is not currently showing any missed payments since May 2019 as my min payment is set to £0, but it does show as in Default.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Grumpelstiltskin

Which country do you live in?

Debt is statute barred after 5 years in Scotland, 6 years in England and Wales.

fatbelly

If it defaulted in May 2019, you live in Scotland and you have not acknowledged the debt by payment  or in writing since then you are correct that it went statute barred two months ago and you can send this if they ever ask for payment

https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/sample-letters/time-has-run-out-recover-debt-s/

sourcrates

We are all presuming you live in Scotland, and that no legal action has been taken against you, the best thing about Scottish law is that it is much more straight forward than in England & Wales.

The debt is "Prescribed" after 5 years in Scotland, it cannot be chased once you inform the creditor of this, Prescribed means it is written off, it no longer exists, unlike south of the border, where the law is more wishy washy, it does still exist, the limitation act just prevents legal action from happening under certain circumstances.

Claire0084

I live in England, thank you for your comments.

Grumpelstiltskin

OK Then the debt won't disappear until May 2025 and yes in theory you can be taken to court any time up to that date, so you are not out of the woods yet.

Does the creditor have your current address? It has been known for a CCJ to be applied for close to the statute barred date with all documentation sent to an old address so watch out for that.

Open any letters you get by snail mail to be on the safe side.

sourcrates

Six years if you`re in England then, as above, keep an eye on the post, read any letters that get sent about the debt, in 10 months it will become statute barred.