Old Debts have come back to haunt me

noktok2011 · 1 April 2011 at 9:37AM

Hello, Please bear with me this is my very first post I am not sure whether I put thread in the right place or not but I am sure you will point me in the right direction if this is the case, Any how here goes…..

This all started back in about 2002 I was in a lot of debt consisting of credit cards & loans and I was coping quite well with the re payments at that time:), However circumstances changed and I was left with 2 children and I had to move into rented accommodation and deal with all the bills, rent with just my income so I fell behind with my credit re payments.:(

I went to see the citizens advice at that time and they wrote to all my creditors explaining my situation and I came up with payment plan which I stuck to for years until which I thought the debts were now cleared ( I think the last payment I ever made to any creditor was in around may/07)

I moved house Re-married and never heard anything from them since . Then out of the blue I start receiving messages from (1st Credit left) on our answering machine asking me to call them and quote ref (Note they are asking for me in my previous married name). At first I just kept deleting these messages and if I happened to answer the call I would say “I don’t know anyone under that name”. I have now started receiving letters also in my previous married name asking me to ring them etc, I have been returning to sender. But this hasn’t stopped them.

Now I am not sure how to handle this. I am afraid that if I send any letters or call them I admitting that I am the person they are looking for, to be honest I thought this episode in my life was over and I cant understand how on earth they have track me down as my name is different, I don’t have any credit agreements etc,and I am not convinced that I owe them anything too.:o

Can anyone advise me what the best way to go on this is?

Many Thanks in advance for any help given.

battyboimatt · 1 April 2011 at 9:47AM

Surley they know its you, as they can trace debt via your credit file and this will link your previous maiden name ?

Watalie · 1 April 2011 at 9:54AM

I think, I'd write to them and ask what the matter is that they are referring to.

if they have bought up old dabts, they may be chancing their arms to see if they can get any money from you but it may be that these debts are too old to do that.

I think the best advice (from what I have gleaned from MSE) is not to admit to anything but find out what they are on about and then you can decide the best way forward.

You may be better posting on the Debt Free board.

Good Luck.

nzseries1 · 1 April 2011 at 9:57AM

I'd second the notion to post on the Debt free wannabe board. Lots of wonderful people on there with wonderful advice.

noktok2011 · 1 April 2011 at 9:59AM

I have checked my credit file and there is nothing stated from these or any other creditor, The last note was dated 2004.

But that wasnt my main point, My main point was what is the best way to handle this.

Watalie · 1 April 2011 at 10:02AM

The best way is to find out what exactly they are chasing.

Otherwise you are just guessing.

Hard to advise you when you don't even know what debt they are after.

noktok2011 · 1 April 2011 at 10:02AM

Thanks Guys,

Do I just post the same post onto the debt free board then?

Watalie · 1 April 2011 at 10:03AM

Yep, just same info. You may find someone in the same position as you.

paulofessex · 1 April 2011 at 10:06AM

Firstly, please don't panic. They will not go away so its best to respond, however only do this via letter and make it clear in the letter that you will not enter into any conversation regarding the issue via phone....all correspondence is to be carried out by letter. Ok this will not stop them from trying to phone you, but rather than find yourself being scared to answer YOUR phone, be firm and tell them, "sorry l am not prepared to discuss the matter by phone, as per letter dated ......"

Once you establish what the debt is and agree that you do owe that amount, then my suggestion is that you then write a letter expressing that due to your circumstances you can only offer a payment of £20 per month (for example) at this time and would of course review the amount should your circumstances improve. I suggest a standing order be set up.

Please don't feel pressured by 1st Credit to provide them with a detailed list of your income and outgoings, in my view only a court can have those type of details.

Like l say once your happy that you owe the amount claimed, send a letter with a cheque with the first payment requesting they send you relevant details to set up a Standing Order. They should be ok with it, however if they mess you around to begin with just make sure you send a cheque on a monthly basis as this dispalys that you are willing to pay it.

It is my view that if you owe such a debt, possible damage has already been done to your credit rating etc so if you not in the position to comfortably pay off the entire balance right now the best way forward is the monthly payment option.

It is also my view that we at times let these companies bully us, ok their business is debt recovery, however as long as regular payments are made they can't do much about it.

noktok2011 · 1 April 2011 at 10:23AM

Thanks very much paulofessex. I am just very worried I have been down this road before of trying to come to some kind of agreement with these people and they just dont listen and I swear the stress of the phone calls and nasty letters nearly put me over the edge! If I do in fact owe them this money I am not trying to run away from it ,But the thought of dealing with these people again, I just dont know if I could deal with right now or ever again.

Tixy · 1 April 2011 at 10:34AM

These templates should be useful to you
Prove it letter - to send to any DCA who writes to you - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11570893&postcount=2
Communicate only in writing letter - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11571485&postcount=4

Old Debts have come back to haunt me

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free