Debt Recovery after over 12 years?

Rudehamster

I need advice:
This morning I recieved a letter from a debt recovery company (The Winged Messager Service, Global Debt Recovery) asking me to call them. Having no outstanding problems I called them...they asked if I used to live at an address in South London. I replied that I had, but had moved from there over 12 years ago - at which point he informed me that he was acting on behalf of Barclaycard and was seeking payment of £2,500 from an unpaid credit card bill, and could I come to an arrangement to pay back the full sum owed. I was more than a little shocked!
I have no outstanding bills or debts from that period, my credit scoring with the relevant companies are clear and I have a good credit rating.
I have no paperwork or statements from 12 years ago (who does?), and informed the guy that I am perplexed as to why they would request repayment of a debt that, as far as I was concerned, didn't exist. I asked him to send me information of the alleged debt, so I could review the situation and take appropriate action.
I have no proof of any payments of bills from that period, and would like to know where I stand. Can they demand monies for alleged debts from 12 years ago? Is the balance of proof on my side? Can my credit rating be damaged by this? What do I do to stop this?

tinalives

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dinkylou

I don t know about anyone else, but this seems extremely suspicious to me, especially as you know you have nt run up any debt.

Could it be that these people could have got your details from somewhere and are trying to scam you?

Maybe I m just untrusting but I would contact Barclaycard to find out if they have ever heard of this company or if they know of anything about this debt.

Surely they would nt have left it this late if it were genuine?

Thefunkygibbons

Found this elsewhere

http://www.grumbletext.co.uk/vt.php?t=530&subj=complaints+Citibank+complaint

Looks like a company that chases really old deal in the hope of getting money out of it

Sounds like they data trawl to find the old debtors and then lean on them

Here is a useful page and sample letter for debt over 6 years old

http://www.abacusfinance.co.uk/limitation-act-1980.htm

Rudehamster

It may be a scam, and that they have bought a pile of dodgy paperwork from someone, or just made it up from old files. Who knows?
I've just spoken to the Debtline people, who've informed me of the folowing points (and this may be helpful for others):
That as I've been on the electoral roll before, during and since that period, I would have been easily traceable and that someone woud've contacted me before now. It would be arguable that I was easily found and why has nobody contacted me sooner.
Twelve years in an inordinarily long time to seek recovery of a debt, alleged or otherwise and such things would be registered on my credit file...which they are not.
Debts over 6 years are statute barred anyway and they have no right to demand payment for debts after this period. However, (and here is the sneaky part) the letter they sent was a nondescript letter, with no reference of a debt. When I contacted the company in reply to the letter I was acknowleging I have a link to the address...this could be argued that I have vicariously acknowledged the alleged debt and they will attempt to start the 6 year period again. I should resist this.
This company must send me information on the alleged debt - when they do I should tell them that whilst it is my name, I did live at that address and I did have a Barclaycard around that time, the sum allegedly owed is not my debt.
That any attempts to register information on my credit file is unacceptable as they cannot prove I own this alleged debt.
The balance of proof is with them. Just because they have information with my name on paperwork linked to a sum of money owed, they need to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that I owe the money. The fact that I no longer have paperwork to prove that I do not owe this money, and have no debts linked to Barclaycard from 12 years ago, or otherwise, is of no consequence.

I am really annoyed at this. I have good credit rating (it wasn't always so!) an unusual surname and can easily be followed, so why the twelve year delay? I have a have a t several other cards / accounts, with Barclaycard amongst them. Surely Barclays wouldn't have allowed me to get an account or card if I already owed them money?
What on earth do these people think they are doing?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

tinalives

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