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BabyElles

Hi
I'm new to all this and I expect I'm posting this thread in the wrong place but this seemed the most logical.
My boyfriend and I are in a pickle and I am after some advice. My boyfriend used to live in South Africa with his ex but it didn't work out and 3 years ago he came back to the UK. Before he left Sout Africa he made sure he paid off his debts (a credit card and a petrol account card)
Two weeks ago he got a call from a representative of the Petrol Account Card saying he owed 4000 Rand (£400) and they were seeking legal advice and would take him to court. My boyfriend asked her to email him the statements and when they finally arrived they showed when he made the last payment which he believed settled the account it was late and therefore he incurred a late payment charge and interest, which has been building ever since. Obviously in hindsight he should have physically closed the account or at least checked to make sure the balance was zero ... but he didn't. The company recently called his ex who gave them his mobile number (she's not my favourite person right now!)
We don't know what to do. I think he should just pay a small percentage as he should have made sure the balance was zero but as he never heard from them (why have they only recently contacted his ex?) he didn't know this interest was building but we don't know where he stands. Has anyone been in a similiar situation? Does anyone have some advice? We're trying to save for a deposit on a house and this is just a kick in the face.

viking30

Please dont take this as gospel but i have been told and read on other forums (one guy who's job is to actually chase bad debt overseas from Australia) that debts from outside the country cannot be enforced in this country. They will call and make out they can and make all sorts of threats but they cant enforce them. Maybe others will give their opinion as its just what i have read.

viking30

Here is the link to the thread i was reading. Its quite a long one but interesting. Its mostly for Aus/UK but might give you some ideas.
http://www.expatfocus.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9936