To not repay 20 year old debt?

[phonecallfromtheblue]

I’ve just had a phone call from a debt collector (seems legit enough) about money I owe. It’s true and I did have a store card in 2004 when I was very young and stupid.

Obviously it’s now twenty years later and I think contacting me about it now is ridiculous. I get that morally I might be liable but surely legally I’m not after this amount of time has gone by?

I´m sure that has lapsed...

A debt normally can't be enforced if a payment/contact hasn't been made within the last 6 years

Statute of limitations is as PP said 6 years. Look on Moneysavingexpert forums - there's lots of threads on Debt Collectors tactics.

https://moneyplusadvice.com/blog/tips-advice/how-long-can-a-debt-be-chased-in-the-uk/#:~:text=This%20is%20to%20say%2C%20if,statute%20barred%20after%20six%20years.

Thanks. I’m reluctant to pay anything towards it as that would then make it ‘live’ again, wouldn’t it?

Do not confirm the debt in writing - don’t send any letters, emails or texts.

Yes it would

Ignore it.

That’s mad are you are it’s not a scam?

If they've had no contact with you and you haven't paid or acknowledged the debt in six years you don't have a legally force able debt any more

Does the store even exist now?

What would you have done if someone contacted you, wanting to repay you money you were owed since 2004 ?

That’s not even close to being the same 😂

@PBandJ111 yeah, Argos.

Not comparable at all

Why not ?

A loan is a loan.
One person lends, one borrows.
Either way, the contract (whether written, verbal, or implied) with ANY loan, is that the borrower returns what they have borrowed, to the lendee.

Yes but @NewName24 there are obvious differences. If you want to start a thread about the moral aspect feel free but it’s not what I’m about. I can’t possibly pay it back and if I started to would make myself liable for the full amount basically fucking up my finances!

No it wouldn't - once a debt is statute barred, nothing can reset the timer.
OP just ignore it - they know they have no legal redress to collect this, they are just chancing that you don't know that.

I'm.sure the Op.would be delighted but that's not the point is it?

Look on moneysavingexpert forum (Martin Lewis) it’s really good for the correct facts.

Id talk to citizen advice but I was chased for a gas bill 8 years and tbh a few rental properties ago. I'd chased them for final bill at the time but gave up after a year. They wrote the bill off saying too long ago to enforce it.

my dh got a debt letter saying he took out a credit card in 1988 so and now he had to pay. Two things he didn’t. And even if he did he would have been at primary school so the credit card agreement would be void as he was vastly under 18! Bizarre chancer debt collector. He called and told them both things. Nothing since. A it’s statue barred and B I bet they don’t have the original agreement either so can’t actually prove it.

It’s not even like his name is common, not John Smith or anything, so it was weird. His name is quite unique. But obviously there must be another but slightly older.

No it's not enforceable after 6 years. Check on moneysaving expert the word ring you have to use, I don't remember. I called a debt collection company that tried chasing me after almost 15 years telling the debt wasn't enforceable and then agreed, and I haven't heard from them since

Argus sold that debt for pennies to a debt collection agency who you never signed any agreement with.

There's a great template letter online that basically says this and you would like the proof please. You'll get one back saying sorry x

Dont pay anything or engage with them