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Is there anything I can do about this debt? - time limits/enforceability

I am currently paying a small token payment monthly to Link Financial for a debt that would have been incurred over 20 years ago now. To be honest I can't even remember what it's for. The remaining balance is several thousand pounds. Due to life circumstances I will never be able to repay the full amount or settle for an amount they would agree to.

I've read that you can send a letter asking them to prove you owe the money, but if you've made payments it 'acknowledges the debt' or something like that.

Am in a position to send such a letter to them? Or is there anything else I can do? 
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Comments

  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,140 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    You can't remember what it was but there is a good chance this was a consumer credit act debt like a loan or credit card.

    You could make a formal request for a copy of the original agreement. If they can't provide it you can stop paying.

    https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/sample-letters/information-about-your-agreement-under-consumer-credit-act/
  • Thank you. The £1 was an unexpected snag, I've had to ask for a cheque book from my bank. Apparently postal orders can't be bought online, and it's probably not a good idea to send coins in the post  :)
  • Rob5342
    Rob5342 Posts: 2,139 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    It's a bit of an antiquated law given that nobody uses cheques any more but that's the way it is unfortunately. Some companies just aend the cheque back, presumably cashing it isn't t worth all the hassle for them. 


  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,140 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    strenger said:
    Thank you. The £1 was an unexpected snag, I've had to ask for a cheque book from my bank. Apparently postal orders can't be bought online, and it's probably not a good idea to send coins in the post  :)
    Can you not still buy a postal order at a post office?
  • fatbelly said:
    strenger said:
    Thank you. The £1 was an unexpected snag, I've had to ask for a cheque book from my bank. Apparently postal orders can't be bought online, and it's probably not a good idea to send coins in the post  :)
    Can you not still buy a postal order at a post office?
    I have an illness that makes it very difficult for me to get out and about.
  • strenger
    strenger Posts: 19 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    They sent me a letter returning my postal order, saying they no longer require a fee for a Section 77-79 request. At the top of the letter was an originator (name of the bank) and associated sort code and account number. There was no other info regarding my request. Is that it? Or should I expect more?
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 30,611 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    What type of debt was it, credit card/loan??

    If it was a bank account, then sec 77 does not apply.

    From your post it sounds like a bank account?
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • strenger
    strenger Posts: 19 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    edited 29 January at 3:22PM
    What type of debt was it, credit card/loan??

    If it was a bank account, then sec 77 does not apply.

    From your post it sounds like a bank account?
    I know it sounds unbelievable but I genuinely don't know. This would be from at least 18 years ago. I used to have an Abbey National bank account but I don't recall any problems with it. Do you know if the letter they sent me constitutes a reply to my request? I'd expect more than an account number and sort code.

    What you mean when you say section 77 wouldn't apply?
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 30,611 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    edited 29 January at 3:28PM
    A CCA request only applies to consumer credit act agreements, loans/credit cards/catalogue accounts etc.

    A correct response would be a copy of that credit agreement.

    It does not apply to bank accounts/overdrafts.

    Does the letter specify what type of debt it is/was?
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
  • strenger
    strenger Posts: 19 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    edited 29 January at 3:49PM
    A CCA request only applies to consumer credit act agreements, loans/credit cards/catalogue accounts etc.

    A correct response would be a copy of that credit agreement.

    It does not apply to bank accounts/overdrafts.

    Does the letter specify what type of debt it is/was?
    The letter was very brief and began with the name of the bank and account number that I assume is related to my payments to Link. They thanked me for my letter, told me that they no longer require a fee for those requests, and said if I have any further queries to contact them. That was it. I'm going to assume this was just a standard letter to return the payment and not an actual response to the request.

    I'm wondering if I should call them to ask if I can expect any further response to my request.
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