GDR TRACE

[Scooter Becks]

Hi, some time ago i was contacted by Tower Investigations who were apparently looking for me. This was then followed up with a letter from a debt collection agency saying i owed money and i was to pay immediately. I telephoned the number and spoke to a rep from the company and he tried to get me to pay. I can only assume that it is for a debt that is approx 18 years old with Lloyds Bank.

I did tell him that the debt was now statute barred and he forcefully explained that because I had allegedly hid from the debt and made no attempt to contact or settle, as they had now found me they could force me legally to repay.

I ended the conversation and heard no more about it. Recently i have been contacted again by a company called GDR Trace asking for the same info. Can you tell me if there are any grounds for them to get this debt paid as i cannot afford to get a CCJ or bankruptcy due to the line of work I undertake???

[nemesis45]

Re: GDR TRACE

Hi, some time ago i was contacted by Tower Investigations who were apparently looking for me. This was then followed up with a letter from a debt collection agency saying i owed money and i was to pay immediately. I telephoned the number and spoke to a rep from the company and he tried to get me to pay. I can only assume that it is for a debt that is approx 18 years old with Lloyds Bank.

I did tell him that the debt was now statute barred and he forcefully explained that because I had allegedly hid from the debt and made no attempt to contact or settle, as they had now found me they could force me legally to repay.

I ended the conversation and heard no more about it. Recently i have been contacted again by a company called GDR Trace asking for the same info. Can you tell me if there are any grounds for them to get this debt paid as i cannot afford to get a CCJ or bankruptcy due to the line of work I undertake???

Hi,

Which DCA contacted you?
The statement re legally forcing you to pay is nonsense if the debt is statute barred no court action can be started.

However in England and Wales a statute barred debt is not extinguished after the relevant 6 year period has passed, it remains payable and can be pursued with any collection method other than court action.

The FCA Source book has the same take on SB debts that the OFT used in its Guidance on Debt Collection. i.e. Once a debtor has informed a creditor in writing that he will not pay because a debt statute barred no further collection action should take place if it does this may amount to harassment.

Just a curt note to the DCA, stating " the alleged debt is statute barred under the provisions of the Limitation Act 1980 and I will not now or in the future make and payment or offer of payment in regard to the statute barred debt, all contact with me must now cease" .

Or words to that effect. Use signed for post.
Name the company chasing this please.

nem