Debt advice

I know there are a vast array of people on here so I'm hoping for some friendly advice.

My gf, basically got herself into debt a few years back (only a few hundred ££ from catalogue shopping), to cut a long story short, she didn't pay the bill becuase her father was abusive and kicked her out of their house about 6 years ago when the company was trying to contact her, he destroyed all correspondence and she had no records of who the debt was owed to.

6 years down the line, we're looking to get a mortgage in the next 18 months or so, so knowing she still had this debt, she did a credit check on Experian, it says the debt was defaulted nearly 6 years ago (~£200), will be 6 years in Aug 2012. It also says a defaulted debt is removed from your credit rating after 6 years.

So this morning she has had a letter at our current address from the debt company (presumably the debt company have got her new address off Experian somehow) asking her to contact them to discuss the debt.

Now do we wait till August till the debt is removed from her credit rating and that will be that? Or do we contact the debt company and sort out paying them as they will never give up?

I know morally she should pay up what she owes, but if the default is written off after 6 years we'd only have to wait till August.

Any advice or similar experiences most appreciated.

 

Debt advice

Last edited by Gary29; Today at 12:05 PM. Reason: It's all 6 years, not 5, my mistake.

 

Debt advice

fucck em dodge it till august. Im no expert

 

Debt advice

I'm thinking along these lines to be honest, just been doing some more digging and it seems as though the debt companies will continue to seek you until the 6 years is up (in August 2012) and as long as you don't make contact with them in this time, the debt is written off.

Just wanted some re-assurance that that is actually what happens though and you don't get another big red cross in your credit report making it impossible to get a mortgage for the sake of a £200 catalogue debt from when she was a silly 19yr old.

 

Debt advice

If its only a few hundred quid contact them and settle it. It will still be on he credit rating till August even if it's settled.
Ask for a settlement figure if you can afford to pay it in full, it's usually about half the actual debt.

Once this is done email the credit agencies (experian etc) explain that when she moved house no letters were forwarded to her new address etc. They will then put a note on the default, so if anyone does a credit check on her they will have to do it manually rather than an automated computer programme.

Keep us posted, I'm in a similar situation, my ex ran up a load of credit card debt and left me to pay it, I couldn't make the payments therefore defaulted and I've been stuck since!

 

Debt advice

Dodge it til august.

DO NOT RESPOND OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEBT.

if you acknowledge or respond the 5 year countdown starts again.

 

Debt advice

Is that for definite Frank? Good to know if its true....f**kem for the sake of 200 scabby quid, sly dogs.

 

Debt advice

next time you move, change your name, even a small change like Sean to Shaun etc. do not take any contracts with you like a mobile phone.

start a new credit rating.

I did this when my bank screwed up my overdraft, my bills + credit cards bounced and I got charged a few hundred in fees, the bank denied responsibility and so I just walked out on the lot. Their fault their problem, been 5 years now and it's fine never heard a peep.

Change your name via deed poll on your drivers license, go into barclays (they're easist) start a new bank account they do a basic one wiht no credit check. ditch your phone bills/broadband etc do not move the contracts. tell barclays you just moved to the country and have been living in australia for 5 yaers so have no credit history. within 18 months you have decent credit
you can even hit up a few payday loan companies right before you change your name but that's a bit naughty

 

Debt advice

Last edited by FrankDangerMaus; Today at 12:15 PM.

 

Debt advice

Tell me about it mate! I had an ex very similar as well, I had to pay a grand one day when 2 meathead bailiffs came knocking on our door with a warrant to seize property! As all the valuable stuff in the house was mine, I was left with very little option! I didn't even know she was in debt at the time, she was just burying her head in the sand hoping it would go away.

I think I've still got a bitter taste in my mouth from that, so I'm having to bite my tongue a bit and not go off on one to my current gf as it is very different circumstances.

I've always been squeaky clean debt wise, so it makes it even worse having to bail other people out as I'm so careful yet still end up taking a hit.