NCO Europe & Capquest - 15 year old debt

Itsabeautifulday

Hello everyone,
I am sure this has been asked before but its now happened to me and I would love some guidance and reassurance.

My previous relationship has resulted in a divorce, which happened 5 years ago.  We are living in separate countries now.  I was out of this country for a short while and am now at the lovely age of 49, trying to sort my life out with a pension, paying in missing years of NI, buying a small % of a new home through a housing association to ensure I have some ducks in a row, and to prepare for retirement, which by the way I will only be able to do the morning of my funeral (lol)

Ok to the serious business, I have received a letter from NCO Europe, who say my total owing debt is just a little over £20K (which I don't believe is possible) as always the position is that it is joint debt, but in my name.  They have very kindly offered to reduce this amount by 75% for this monthly only for a full and final payment of £5K, which ordinarily would be a no brainer.  But I do not have £5K to my name, I am only just surviving on my income and even £20 per month would be a stretch for me to afford.  I have ignored 2 prior letters and at previous address, I don't answer any calls from numbers I don't know.  This letter has arrived at my new address.

There were no bad debt markings against my name while the process of getting the % mortgage I have, and also I lease a small vehicle with no issues when they did the financing.  In fact my credit rating on two different sites were impeccable.

This letter states 
'..... we have been unsuccessful in making contact.......we must inform you that if we don't hear from you we will initiate the process of closing and returning your account back to Capquest Debt Recovery, who may look to pursue the full outstanding balance. '

The biggest issue is the threat of the update to your credit file, also I volunteer in the local community and they have to do a DBS checks.  I am trying so hard to get myself on my own two feet and financially stable for now and for my later years, I have been thrown into turmoil with this letter again.

Anyone been in the same or similar position, what did you do, what is the best advise, what do you wish you did/ didn't do and can they honestly chase this outstanding debt from so many years ago.  

Look forward to your replies, my nerves are shattered, just when you think the past is finally behind you it slaps you in the face.

Grumpelstiltskin

OK No 1 When was the debt last paid by either of you?

If more than 6 years ( or 5 if you live in Scotland) Then it is statue barred.

Send them a letter as described here
Statute barred debts and the Limitation Act — MoneySavingExpert Forum
and see what comes back.

Itsabeautifulday

Thank you so much for the information,
I have put a letter together for the post tonight.

RAS

Please send the Prove it letter in the stickies. You have no way of knowing if your ex has paid £1 towards a joint debt some time in the last 6 years.

sourcrates

@Itsabeautifulday If the debts no longer show on your credit file, then no further updates are possible, that was just a generic term in the letter, and would only apply if the account was still being reported.

You have conflicting advice above, you have to be as certain as you can that the debt is statute barred, I would actually second the advice to send the prove-it letter first, and not the statute barred letter just yet.

You give no actual dates above, so because of that, sending the prove-it letter will not formally acknowledge the debt, but should get you more information.