Is there any way of requesting a uk credit report from the three agencies if you live overseas? I moved to the usa in '98, and wanted to check out the status of my report. Of course, I have no fixed abode over there now. Thanks, Steve

I do have it in writing, but it is probably not worth the paper it is written on. It is not legally-binding...just a decision. I have written to the bank many times - their lawyers and the CEO. They have basically closed the book on this account. I'm getting final statements and a photocopy of a totally different credit card account that I had with the BoS - closed and paid off. I sent a negotiation letter to Link several months ago...and I have heard nothing back from them. I made them an offer, even though they told me to direct all correspondence through Illinois. I thought, why should I, they are the creditor. Regarding the collection agencies, I took the precaution not divulging my phone numbers. I called the Illinois agency one time - from a pay phone. I asked them to name their business - they refused. Instead they asked me for my SS number. I have not really been harrassed, but who knows how this will develop. Thanks for the advice. Steve

I have a uk-based credit card debt from The Bank of Scotland. I last paid on it on September '04. It then went into default. I got chased by collection agencies in November of that year. I eventually got the bank to back off. They said they wouldn't pursue me for the money legally anymore. That was at the end of '05. In February of '08 I got a letter from a company called CCB Credit Services - based in Illinois. I found out that the bank had sold the debt to Link Financial - based in London. Link Financial is now the new creditor. So, the creditor is still uk-based, but there is now an agent in the US working on their behalf. I've been told that my us-based credit record could get damaged. How true is this? I am on limited income, but I am making nominal payments to CCB every week. The debt is quite a substantial amount - it is a long story. Legally, what are the repurcussions on a four-year-old debt - bearing in mind that I have now started the clock ticking on the statute of limitations again? By the way, I live in Indiana - meaning that the collection agency is out-of-state. Thanks, Steve