Help with link financial. Just 6 wks left till statute barred

Blueroses13a

Hi, 
I desperately need some advice. I recently received a letter from link financial saying I have 14 days to respond before my account is passed to Kearns solicitors. I have 5 days left to respond. I’m not entirely sure about the debt they’re referring to - I don’t recognise the amount and the only card I ever had with the company they mentioned in their letter was almost 6 years ago. I’ve checked and if it’s the card they’re referring to, I have just 6 weeks left before the debt becomes statute barred. Can I please have some advice on what to do about

1. Not recognising the amount Link is claiming and

2. Postponing the process so that I can reach the statute barred threshold.

If they can prove that the debt is legitimately mine, I’ll do my best to pay it but I’d obviously prefer to do so without the threat of legal action looming if possible. What are the steps from this stage to court action? Do I have 6 weeks before any court action is able to begin? Thanks so much for your help. 

fatbelly

Just follow the standard process.

They have written with an allegation.

Send a prove-it letter

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter

It may not be what you think it is. It may not even be yours

sammyjammy

What @fatbelly says!  That will take time so helps you with that ticking clock!

Are you saying that you stopped paying the credit card and haven't responded to any communication or made any payments since that happened?

Blueroses13a

Thanks so much @fatbelly and @sammyjmy. I didn’t realise the debt had been or could be sold on and I was going through a pretty intense time so it didn’t occur to me to figure out where the debt went! My last payment to the card I mentioned was almost 6 years ago and I haven’t communicated in any way with link financial or made any further payments. 

ManyWays

My last payment to the card I mentioned was almost 6 years ago
That may not be the date the 6 year statute barred clock starts from, is there a default date on your credit record? 

fatbelly

I would expect the response to the prove-it to include statements so that you can check what this is.

At the very least it should state the original reference number

Blueroses13a

@manyways i haven’t checked my credit report. Will their response to the prove it letter contain that information or can I only find it in my credit report? 

Blueroses13a

@fatbelly I definitely need to verify those details so I’m glad to hear their response should contain that information. 

ManyWays

Check your credit report now because you need to know if there is any chance of the debt becoming statute barred in the near future

Blueroses13a

@manyways I’ve just requested it thanks to you. I should have it in a few days. 

Blueroses13a

The only borrowing showing on my credit score is my mortgage. I have to wait a few days to see the full report. Would the amount Link Financial are trying to claim show as part of my total borrowing if it’s my debt / not already statute barred?