How to stop letters going to old address (running debts to SB, abroad, using UK Postbox)

fatbelly

Most firms seem to use LBAs appropriately. If they were just using them as scare tactics the FCA would have something to say, just like the old OFT did when one debt collection agency, now gone, started issuing statutory demands to all its customers.

So a LBA means there is a genuine intention to proceed to a court claim. Responding to it just shows that you are not going to roll over and let it happen. We refer to Debt Camel guidance, which recommends that you tick 'not sure' and then ask for documentation.

We have had posters tick 'intend to defend' at that point, which I also think is fair enough and gives them something to think about.

For you, it's all a bit hypothetical. It will probably never happen

kevoxshockwave

fatbelly said:

Most firms seem to use LBAs appropriately. If they were just using them as scare tactics the FCA would have something to say, just like the old OFT did when one debt collection agency, now gone, started issuing statutory demands to all its customers.

So a LBA means there is a genuine intention to proceed to a court claim. Responding to it just shows that you are not going to roll over and let it happen. We refer to Debt Camel guidance, which recommends that you tick 'not sure' and then ask for documentation.

We have had posters tick 'intend to defend' at that point, which I also think is fair enough and gives them something to think about.

For you, it's all a bit hypothetical. It will probably never happen

Thanks @fatbelly

One more question if I may... If I AM served with an LBA, it will probably go to my Dad's address, long after he has moved... and therefore will never make it to me... What are the consequences of me not responding? It's nothing to worry about?

fatbelly

It just progresses to a court claim and a ccj in default

kevoxshockwave

fatbelly said:

It just progresses to a court claim and a ccj in default

So that is nothing for me to worry about then. No need to reply to an LBA 👍

RAS

They can't enforce the CCJ abroad and it'll drop off your credit record here after 6 years.

kevoxshockwave

Thanks all for your words of wisdom, much appreciated. 

I will therefore write to these complanies and give them both my address overseas and my UK Postbox address, acknowledging no knowledge of debt so as not to reset the SB clock, and then see what happens. If they continue to send mail to my Dad's gaff then I guess I will just ride it out until he has moved. 

Shookt38

kevoxshockwave said:

Hi all — hoping for some advice and to sanity check my plan.

I have several old debts (mainly credit cards and loans — Cabot, PRA, Barclays/Barclaycard). They all defaulted in June 2022, so I’m halfway to them going statute barred (England).

I’ve made no payments or written acknowledgements since default — I’m deliberately running them to SB and have no intention of paying.

Here’s the issue:

Some of these agencies are now sending letters to my Dad’s house — I do NOT want this happening.

However, I am also now living abroad and will not be moving back to the UK. I do not want to “reset the clock” by wording things badly.

Current setup:
✅ I have a paid UK Postbox service (gives me a proper UK street address — mail is opened/scanned).
✅ I live outside the UK (currently Indonesia but moving again soon).

My plan:

• Send them a letter that says:

  • I am resident outside the UK with no plans to return.

  • Please update their records to send correspondence to my UK Postbox address.

  • Please stop writing to my Dad’s address.

  • Explicitly state this is not an acknowledgement of any debt.

Questions:
1️⃣ Is it wise to tell them I live abroad, but NOT give them an overseas address (just keep using the UK Postbox)?
2️⃣ Is it better to send this by email, post, or both?
3️⃣ Is this wording safe and does not risk resetting the SB clock?

Draft wording I’m thinking of sending:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I note that correspondence regarding an alleged account in my name has been sent to [Dad’s address].

Please be advised that I am currently resident outside the United Kingdom and have no plans to return.

For correspondence purposes only, please update your records to the following postal address:
[My UK Postbox address]

Please ensure that no further correspondence is sent to [Dad’s address].

For the avoidance of doubt, this letter is not an acknowledgement of any debt, nor should it be construed as such.

Yours faithfully,
[My Name]

---

Thanks for any advice — want to get this right as I’m playing the long game here.

Hi! May I please know what Ukpostbox did you use as I am in the same boat and looking to move countries too. But i want ti keep the letters safe. And maybe scanned when I receive letters. Also, after getting a Ukpostbox, did you change your address to it or paid for redirection? 

Hope you will reply!🙏🏻