Advice / How long can someone hide from Debt?
Discussion
Girlfriends Ex husband still has debt collectors letters to old house years after they divorced, response has always been to send back unopened not known etc. They don’t know where he lives now, had initially been with his family when moved out a long time ago & now think per Facebook there’s a new partner/new life.
it’s 5 figures (one letter may have been opened). I didn’t get involved before as not mine to sort out but now I’m in a bit deeper with her I’ll admit I’m getting concerned - there has been one visit from a collector I’m aware of where it was explained he didn’t live there anymore but the letters keep coming.
What’s the Debt collectors next step ? He doesn’t have a particularly unique name but I’ll admit I found him on Facebook & he’s daft enough to have his new local pub posted in a small town…. If we give collectors this bit of info will this be enough for them to change direction?
Biggest thing I can’t believe is that in this day & age just moving means your debts don’t follow you automatically, is this a result of GDPR & Co’s not being able to share info? I don’t imagine a debt collection agency just to give up on a five figure debt either though, genuinely curious, is there something like the DVLA for getting a registered keepers details for legitimate reasons if they had say a national insurance number, you’d think that would make arresting wages etc much easier if genuine collectors could get current address & employer?
it’s 5 figures (one letter may have been opened). I didn’t get involved before as not mine to sort out but now I’m in a bit deeper with her I’ll admit I’m getting concerned - there has been one visit from a collector I’m aware of where it was explained he didn’t live there anymore but the letters keep coming.
What’s the Debt collectors next step ? He doesn’t have a particularly unique name but I’ll admit I found him on Facebook & he’s daft enough to have his new local pub posted in a small town…. If we give collectors this bit of info will this be enough for them to change direction?
Biggest thing I can’t believe is that in this day & age just moving means your debts don’t follow you automatically, is this a result of GDPR & Co’s not being able to share info? I don’t imagine a debt collection agency just to give up on a five figure debt either though, genuinely curious, is there something like the DVLA for getting a registered keepers details for legitimate reasons if they had say a national insurance number, you’d think that would make arresting wages etc much easier if genuine collectors could get current address & employer?
Arlen said:
They can get information from the electoral roll (as can anyone)
Might be worth checking he isn't still listed on there as living at this address then work on having him removed from it.
He’s not on electoral roll “Full” or “Open” versionMight be worth checking he isn't still listed on there as living at this address then work on having him removed from it.
The Full info is not actually available to anyone,
(& For credit reasons I think it’s only for those looking at providing new credit)
ferret50 said:
One issue yourself/your partner may have is obtaining credit whilst the ex is using the same address, so getting him seperated from the address has some gains for yourself.
This was something she was concerned about before but had been assured debt is with a person not an address, she has checked her credit rating occasionally & it doesn’t seem affected.soad said:
Will keep on getting hassled as it’s the last known address.
Some debts might get “written off” after 6 years. Doesn’t help when they’re getting sold on (more letters), as any recovery is difficult.
Frustrating thing is I’m fairly sure knowing what he looks like & his local I could find his address & place of work pretty quickly! They should offer up some incentive for doing so like crime stoppers ! (But no I probably wouldn’t/shouldn’t)Some debts might get “written off” after 6 years. Doesn’t help when they’re getting sold on (more letters), as any recovery is difficult.
I had this when I moved into my current house, a stream of letters for the previous occupant (and his adult kids) upon which I wrote 'No longer at this address' and returned. Then I started getting parking fines sent to him and to his kids as all their bloody cars were still registered here!
It didn't stop the flow so after a year I opened them each time and wrote to the organisation explaining that I had bought the house a year ago, and would they please stop sending mail. Also wrote to the DVLA explaining the same.
Eventually it stopped.
It didn't stop the flow so after a year I opened them each time and wrote to the organisation explaining that I had bought the house a year ago, and would they please stop sending mail. Also wrote to the DVLA explaining the same.
Eventually it stopped.
Regarding credit for you and your partner, the address won't have an impact. Your partner may have some sort of financial association with her ex, these are created through joint accounts or joint financial agreements like current accounts or mortgages. She should check her credit records at all 3 credit reference agencies.
If there are any associations make sure the agreements / accounts that created them get closed, that should remove the associations. If any are still there you can apply to have them removed.
If there are any associations make sure the agreements / accounts that created them get closed, that should remove the associations. If any are still there you can apply to have them removed.
Different scenario but when I took over as LPA for an elderly relative they had been receiving pretty menacing sounding letters from debt collectors over a 5 year + period including the mention of prison etc.
Some by post some by hand.
From memory 6 or so debt collection entities.
She had moved out about 10 years prior but still owned the house - don’t ask.
As by then she had gone into a care home with Dementia I got hold of each company and got each of the debts put back to the company that had had instructed them in the first place and then got each one then cancelled.
Some by post some by hand.
From memory 6 or so debt collection entities.
She had moved out about 10 years prior but still owned the house - don’t ask.
As by then she had gone into a care home with Dementia I got hold of each company and got each of the debts put back to the company that had had instructed them in the first place and then got each one then cancelled.
asfault said:
Arn't half the debts hers?
Or has he racked up debt since the divorce?
No the debts are her partners, incurred initially whilst they were together but arguably they prob increased after they were divorced with I assume interest & fees.Or has he racked up debt since the divorce?
Have a read here, married people in U.K. are not automatically responsible for debts of their partners
https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/partner...
AndyAudi said:
ferret50 said:
One issue yourself/your partner may have is obtaining credit whilst the ex is using the same address, so getting him seperated from the address has some gains for yourself.
This was something she was concerned about before but had been assured debt is with a person not an address, she has checked her credit rating occasionally & it doesn’t seem affected.The only way her credit history could be impacted is if she had a joint mortgage/joint bank account with her ex.
AndyAudi said:
ferret50 said:
One issue yourself/your partner may have is obtaining credit whilst the ex is using the same address, so getting him seperated from the address has some gains for yourself.
This was something she was concerned about before but had been assured debt is with a person not an address, she has checked her credit rating occasionally & it doesn’t seem affected.The only way her credit history could be impacted is if she had a joint mortgage/joint bank account with her ex.
AndyAudi said:
asfault said:
Arn't half the debts hers?
Or has he racked up debt since the divorce?
No the debts are her partners, incurred initially whilst they were together but arguably they prob increased after they were divorced with I assume interest & fees.Or has he racked up debt since the divorce?
Have a read here, married people in U.K. are not automatically responsible for debts of their partners
https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/partner...
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