Had a DRO but a very old debt has surfaced.

Thriftysnifter_1

Hi all, very first post on here, and I'm not sure how all this is going to sound when I put it out there so please bear with me. 

I had a DRO that ended in August 2023. After going through all my debtors and credit files, I was pretty sure that I had everyone covered.  Two of those were being dealt with by Moorcroft. One from BT and one from Lendable. They were included in my DRO. I thought I was completely debt free. A weight was lifted. 
I had a letter from Moorcroft saying I owe them money on behalf ilof Intrum, who i have had no dealings with. I said that I had my DRO, I gave them my certificate number and a copy of my DRO, as per the usual. As the amount of companies still trying their luck after being included in a DRO is ridiculous. They send me a letter back saying that further investigation has found that my insolvency arrangement predates the account they are instructed to recover from me. And I may remain obliged to repay this account. They are asking me for evidence that this account was included in the DRO. Now, I know that these debts have been sold on so many times before, I wouldn't know where to start looking.
 So, I sent back an email asking from where and what company the debt originated, the lineage of debt companies it has gone through to get to them, and the original contract that allegedly has my signature on. 
Have I done and said the right thing?
I am sure that this debt was covered by the DRO when under a different company name. It has brought back so much stress for me as I am barely getting by as it is. All suggestions and help would be greatly recieved. 

Thriftynifter.

RAS

Dear old Intrum

They acquired a few shed loads of very old debt in 2023. The bulk of this appears to be statute barred and some very close to being so, more just lacking documentation. They and their mates have been trying to resurrect any old thing on any grounds.

I'd advise that you stop communicating for now. 

Take advice from Stepchange or national debtline about whether your recent communication constitute "written acknowledgement of a debt."

Having responded to any prompt probably marks you out as a target. Wait for a letter from Moorcroft and then take advice on sending the prove it letter, but take your time to respond.

Brie

I agree with RAS to ensure you don't admit to anything until they provide evidence that they are very unlikely to be able to do.  Frankly it sounds to me like you said "I don't recognise this" rather than "is this the money I owed Barclays?" or similar.  

I'd also suggest that you block them on email so they can't harass you and should you decide to communicate with them at all to do so by snail mail.  Assuming that it's a legit but very old debt slowing down communications might ensure you are over the statute barred line.  

Meanwhile don't fret about it - they may decide to post a strongly worded letter to you but until they provide proof of the debt there's nothing they can really do.  

Thriftysnifter_1

Thank you both.  I've admitted to nothing to them. I will wait on their (moorcroft) letter and respond in my own time. I don't know how to send a prove it letter yet, as I haven't found my way round this site properly.  Do I print it off and snail mail it?  Once again. Thanks for your replies. 

RAS

Forums
Reduce Debt and Boost Income
Debt free wannabee
Stickies, bottom of the list.

sourcrates

Moorcroft are just a 3rd party instigator here, they have no authority except to collect the debt, they do not own it, so can do nothing by way of enforcement.

All you need to do is refer them to the insolvency service and give them your DRO agreement number.

You are under no obligation to answer any of their questions, if they want conformation the debt was included in your DRO, they must ask the IS themselves, its not your job to do that for them.

Don`t send any prove-it letters, or anything else, your insolvency removed your obligation to pay these debts 100%, the onus is on them to prove otherwise.