Barclays have caught up with me...after almost 6 years. Advice needed!

Rickerty_2

In my student days (about 6 years ago) I managed to run up £3300 with Barclays.
The repayments got a bit too much for me so instead of doing the sensible thing and sorting it out I scarpered, and I hadn't heard anything for almost 6 years until today.

I've received a letter from The Lowell Group telling me that my debt has been sold to them.

I guess what i'm asking is...should I own up to it or deny all knowledge? I've been told that after a certain amount of time I no longer HAVE to pay the money back, is this true? and if it is how do I avoid them for a bit longer?

Burlesque_Babe

When is the last date you made a payment or had any contact from Barclays you acknowledged? It may be it is over 6 years. It is 5 years if you are in Scotland.

Lowell buy debts which are coming up to/just over 6years old.

If it is definitely less than 6 years, you need to send a CCA request letter to Lowell asking them to provide it.

If you search on CCA on MSE, you'll find the letter, I'll try to find it for you also.

Rickerty_2

I'm pretty sure it's a few months less than 6 years just. I think it was sometime in 2002 when I last had contact.

What is a CCA?

Burlesque_Babe

It is a copy of the Agreement you would have signed with Barclays. If Lowell can't provide it (and it has to be the correct agreement, signed by you) they can't chase you. See Weller's post here:


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=9149637&postcount=14

Don't sign the letter. There are tales of the signature being copied.

There is a timescale they have to reply in, but I'm not sure of it - can someone step in and help at this point please?

If it definitely over 6 years then it is probably statute barred. There is also a letter you can try if you can work out the exact date.

Rickerty_2

Great thanks!

If it's not quite 6 years what would be the best way to avoid it?

IWantToBeFree_2

Do what most people do and face upto the debt, you ran it up, why shouldn't you pay it back?

If you don't fancy that route, don't acknowledge the debt, the 6 year limit will pass and then it will be statute barred and you'll have sucessfully managed to run away from being responsible.

chuckles1066

Rickerty wrote: »

Great thanks!

If it's not quite 6 years what would be the best way to avoid it?

Ahhhhh.......Britain 2008 summed up in 17 words.

You must be very proud of yourself?

Treadmill

Why are people judging on this issue ?

The debt collecters will have paid, 33% of the balance which is £1100 for this debt and are now owed probably £4400 by Rickerty, maybe even more by the time they add other fees on, Barclays are already well out of pocket and no longer get any of the money that gets paid back, the debt collecters get it all and make 100s of percent on the original outlay for virtually no work, don't feel bad for them.

Since when are these sharks the good guys ?

Ladyra

chuckles1066 wrote: »

Ahhhhh.......Britain 2008 summed up in 17 words.

You must be very proud of yourself?

I cant aggree with you more......

People wonder why banks charge so much for their services, but is it any wonder when there are plenty of people in this world willing to run up huge debts then avoid all responsibility when it comes to paying them back.

sorry to rant but it makes me so angry........

Im 26 and have managed to run my family (3 of us) without the need of a credit card or loan.

Its called saying NO if you cant afford it and saving if you really need it.

(I know that 99% of peeps on this forum already know this otherwise why would you be on here??? lol)

rant over, im goin bk in my corner now

chuckles1066

Ladyra wrote: »

rant over, im goin bk in my corner now

Well come back out

It's precisely the antics of the OP (who brazenly come onto forums such as this and ask for "help") that have led to outrageous charges on everyone else as the banks seek to recoup their losses.

But Britain today is what it is.........he's probably related to Karen Matthews.

Treadmill

Ladyra wrote: »

I cant aggree with you more......

People wonder why banks charge so much for their services, but is it any wonder when there are plenty of people in this world willing to run up huge debts then avoid all responsibility when it comes to paying them back.

sorry to rant but it makes me so angry........

Im 26 and have managed to run my family (3 of us) without the need of a credit card or loan.

Its called saying NO if you cant afford it and saving if you really need it.

(I know that 99% of peeps on this forum already know this otherwise why would you be on here??? lol)

rant over, im goin bk in my corner now

Where can I find Utopia on the map, I think I'll move there and we can be neighbours lol