Need some advice on an old debt?

My partner recieved a letter yesterday from a debt collection agency saying he owed 拢8,136.00! He telephoned them to ask what on earth it was for and he was told it was for a car he got on finance in 2002 (before we met) - he says he has no recollection of this but wastold he needed to call back with all income & exp details! He has asked me to write them a letter which i have. I have asked them to provide a copy of the signed credit agreement and asked for this within 7 days - will they provide him with this or is he even allowed to ask for this? I would just like some advice on what to do (i organise all the finances in our house). It just seems very odd that this is the first letter he has had in 5 years?

Advice please x

p.s. i know that if he is found to be owing this amount it will effect his credit - he has (we both have) a bad history with finances which we are paying off at the minute!

Company is EXPERTO CREDITE.

definitely get some advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau, they have been so helpful with my partners debt and really sorted it all out for him and taken away all the worry - no nasty phone calls or letters as they deal with it.

in your situation they will explain all your rights to you and what you need to do or ask for from them. and definitley dont send your income and expenditure details without confirming anything. the CAB would sort out all your income / expenditure details and make sure it says you have less free cash than you do!

good luck with it all, and dont stress, seek some advice.

It sounds very odd that you say your partner 'has no recollection of this'. If he didn't take out a finance deal on a car, he would DEFINITELY know this, surely? Find out whether he actually had the car in question, or how he financed whatever he was driving in 2002. This should be quite cut and dried. He either owes it or he doesn't. Check out that the firm is legit. If your partner didn't take out the finance deal in question, report the company - it could be a scam.

Good luck. I hope you get this sorted quickly.

This sounds like a scam to me hunni. Yes, you have the right to see the documents with his signature on, if they do not provide this, then do not pay up.
It is a lot of money to have just "forgotten" about.
If they do come back with these documents, then get advice from CAB.
Good Luck
P.S - with that amount of money, he should of been paying it back a long time ago, so you would of heard about it before now.

You have done the right thing (hopefully you sent the letter by recorded delivery so you have proof it was received).

It may be a scam - I have had to provide income/expediture details in the past but never by phone.

You should also get legal advice.

Lily i think your partner has a short memory surely he would know if he had the car but i must say it does seem strange after 5 years its either an office error or your past record has given them a chance to jump in or its scam. see it through and yes they should send you a copy if its genuine

It will not affect his credit as it would have already been affected fron 2002 if he did owe it. Sounds like a scam though

Do not speak to these people - keep all your communications with them in writing. Be sure to keep copies.
You do not have to give them details about your income or anything like that. The onus is on them to prove the debt.
Further, you don't say what jurisdiction you are in - WHY doesn't anyone ever state this, it makes it so HARD to advise when one doesn't know what laws apply - but wherever you are see if there is a limitation statute that limits the time certain actions must be brought in.

Your partner seems to have a selective memory.(.No offence intended) Maybe he's embarrassed especially with you trying to sort out the finances....I thought after 5 years debts were written of as bad debt. I'm really not sure though..Get help from C.A.B or your local law centre, both are free..As others have said it could be a scam, so don't reveal anything unless your sure their legit..Good Luck

No recollection...hmmm...maybe I should try that one.

Sounds very dodgy.

Get a credit report to see if it is on there.

Keep asking them for details of the alleged debt - send all letters by recorded delivery.

Do a search on this company to see if they are real. Start with the internet. Ask them for their company details - they should be listed at company house and as a credit agency they should be registered in some way with the FSA.

Do not give out any personal details to them until they can prove who they are and the debt is genuine. Even then all you need to do is to agree terms.