Global threatening letters

Fate

I would really appreciate some advice if possible (constructive please, I am not condoning the non-payment of debt and have paid in other ways for many years now).

I have recently received letters from a company called Global Debt Recovery. The first letter states the following;

"You have returned mail even though you were contactable at the above address.

Telephone us on xxxx xxx xxxx now.

You are in a position to immediately affect your credit rating with regard to your details being passed to a credit default register"

There is then a direct debit form at the bottom of the letter.

The second letter reads,

"Your name is registered as non-paying (sic) of a recorded debt.

To clear your address now telephone us on the above telephone number, and return the completed direct debit below to Global.

It is our intention to issue proceedings within 10 days of the date of this letter"

I do have a debt outstanding, but not for the amount it says on this letter and I have had no contact with the original lender or any subsequent DCA's regarding this or any debt for 8 years. It was never my intention not to pay it back, and I am still not in a position to be able to do so. This doesn't mean that I never will. However, if I haven't made any repayments or had contact for 8 years does this mean that the debt is statute barred? I checked my credit reference file and there is no trace of a CCJ.

Do these people really expect me to hand over money without knowing who they are and how they acquired the debt? My 10 days are up by the 22nd June (I received the letter today), what legal action can they take? Should I send them the template letters or leave it?

I would be happy to pay a token sum every month, but if they have my bank details and say that I have defaulted on a payment could they then go on and demand the whole lot in one go? Although I know they probably can't do much to me, I am still very worried, I have serious health problems and this is one thing I could do without worrying about at the moment.

Thanks for any replies to my rather long thread

brightonman123

i would continue payments/contact with original lender.

LilacPixie

Send them the CCA request letter. Remeber don't sign the letter.

GeorgeUK

If you have not made any payments towards this debt for a period of 6 years and have not acknowledged the debt in writing during that time, then the debt is statute barred - unless there is an outstanding CCJ against it.

I would send the statute barred letter and await their response.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=11571227#post11571227

stapeley

hi echo the above thread . This DCA ARE TRYING IT ON ! They buy up old debts very very cheaply . It is statue barred . They probably never had a enforceable CCA . So please stay strong and remember NEVER ring them !

Fate

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate the advice. I 'm a bit confused about something though, the debt was in my maiden name, when I send them the letter, I know I shouldn't sign it but do I need to let them now my married name now? Or do I use my maiden name? I'm loath to use my married name, I don't want them getting hold of my phone number or anything.

Thanks again for the advice. If I could turn back time, I would but lessons have well and truly been learnt.

LilacPixie

I'd just use your maiden name.

smashedbooboo

Do not give them your married name hun. Send the CCA letter to them and only print your name on it. Never sign anything to DCA. They can and have been known to scan sigs and use them. Keep everything in writing. Keep a copy for yourself. And send it recorded delivery. Dont panic about the 10 days thing. They wont do anything just yet. Hopefully they will pass the debt back to original creditor and you will be able to make token payments to them. If its statute barred then that letter will come into play very shortly to them. DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM ON PHONE> It is your word against theirs and they can go back on anything they say to you. Good Luck hun

GeorgeUK

You could Initial the letter so they can't really read it as a signature - what they should be concerned with is the account number or reference they gave you.

smashedbooboo

Sorry reread it. send off statute barred letter as well. And no they cannot take money out of your account. And they should not have your bank details anyway. Please dont worry about this too much. I have dealt with global for a long time. I used to be scared but not now. I got rid of them and now pay original creditor.

Fate

Thank you, I'm feeling less panicky now, I'll start by sending them the statute barred letter and if they come back and question that, I ask them for proof of the debt. At the end of the day, if it all goes to court, then someone will decide how much I can afford to pay and that will be the end of it.