Old debt

lostman152

Hi I have just received 3 letters from a debt collector called verifi in regards to a loan I had over 23/25 years ago.l, Iv not spoken or received any letters from them in over 20 years. This gets a little confusing so bear with me, the letters are coming through in a surname i used 20 years ago. Now I did use this name as was my mother’s maiden name, I changed this name, not by Depol but at age of seven just buy telling the school that’s my name. I carried on using this name as I thought it was my name. To cut a long story short, I’ve got a lone from the bank to help my mother in her difficult time I was under the impression that the loan was paid off after we agreed to pay little monthly instalments after she had missed her payments. My mother moved to America and that’s the last I heard about it. I understand it was in my name but after I have a  son are reverted back to my old name and I’ve carried on my life. I have not received any letters or calls in regards to this in 20 years or thereabouts. I have two mortgages and several houses later I had received nothing so one now am I still liable to pay this? My mother has since died, so unable to ask her about it. 

lostman152

Today I finally received a home visit but I was not home. The letter was still in an old name, but some details were handwritten to Show they have been round. I really don’t know what to do for the best. Do I keep ignoring it after all was over 20 years ago I was thinking as it’s not in my current name do I ignore and hope for the best🤷‍♂️. But after checking, my credit file I can see they have searched on it to find a current address. The question is what would have the check shown them in does it show names?

Grumpelstiltskin

Another thread here.

debt collection letters — MoneySavingExpert Forum

lostman152

Todays letter

RAS

Ignore the entire thing. Depending on where you live, this probably became statue barred after 6 years. If they got a CCJ before that, they would need court permission to pursue further. In Scotland it is 5 years and the debt is extinguished. In England it still "exists" but no-one can make you pay. The DCA may have 5p in the £, so don't feel mean ignoring them. 

sourcrates

If they become annoying send the hybrid statute barred/prove-it letter from the stickies.

lostman152

Is it still possible they can mess up my credit score. After buying a 20 year old debit 

sourcrates

lostman152 said:

Is it still possible they can mess up my credit score. After buying a 20 year old debit 

No, 6 years after default all trace is removed by time, and it won`t come back.

If, it did, and was reported again, you would complain and it would be removed.