Ruthbridge Limited

[Lord Snooty]

Hi all, first post here.

 

I had a credit card debt back around 1995 - nearly 20 years ago! - which I believe ended up in a CCJ. I was young, dumb and skint back then.

 

There were a few attempts by various DCAs to track me, probably Mackenzie Hall were the most vigorous, but I was living overseas at the time they contacted my UK correspondence address, and they eventually wrote to me saying my case was closed.

 

Suddenly, up pops this new outfit Ruthbridge Limited, with a standard fishing attempt. "contact us urgently about a personal matter..." etc.

 

Now, I expect that this is in relation to the same debt, as I have no reason to believe it is any other, so I fully intend to have much sport with Ruthbridge over this. I could easily afford to pay back this debt if I so chose (it's the only debt I've ever not paid in my life) but to be honest, their approach instantly makes me hostile to them. If they ever want to see a penny out of me they're going to have to work damn hard to get it.

 

So, until they lay out what the debt is, and supply a copy of the signed credit agreement etc. etc. etc..I'm just going to keep blandly responding to their contacts to noise them up a bit. I've already told them I will not speak to them over the phone but am perfectly happy to engage in a written dialogue.

 

Do you think they read these forums? I'm rather looking forward to this.

[havinastella]

Hi and welcome to CAG.

 

When was the last payment to the debt and roughly when was the CCJ obtained?

 

Jogs

[Bazooka Boo]

Toothless Ruthbridge , check your credit file, if there is nothing on there either ignore these children or send them the SB letter if you haven't made a payment in the last 6 years.

[Lord Snooty]

Hi and welcome to CAG.

 

When was the last payment to the debt and roughly when was the CCJ obtained?

 

Jogs

 

Last payment would be about 1995, CCJ about 1996 I think?

[havinastella]

As BB said then. Although CCJ's never become Stat barred, it would be impossible for them to get a court to reopen it.

 

Play with them for a few weeks and make sure they don't trash your Credit repoer. If they do, sue them.

 

Jogs

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I suggest just giveing Ruthbridge

a short sharp letter advising of the

status of the debt (do not mention the

CCJ they probably don't know about it).

When you have your CRA files you can

get a more accurate idea of when the

last payment was made.

Ignore any other letters that don't state

what they are chasing.

[Distilled Peanuts]

I had a credit card debt back around 1995

 

Was the CC with Lloyds/TSB ?

 

Suddenly, up pops this new outfit Ruthbridge Limited, with a standard fishing attempt. "contact us urgently about a personal matter..." etc.

 

They have sent a batch of fishing letters out in the past week regarding old CC debts, so I assume they are working on a newly aquired debt package.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The reason for the sudden flood of SB debts

showing up is that there is new technical guidance

about selling/assigning SB debt without informing

the propective purchaser of the status of the debt,

the status of debts sold in large portfolio is no disclosed.

[Lord Snooty]

No, the original debt was for about 1800 quid on an MBNA cc. I'm not proud of it, but equally, I despise the the debt collection tactics. If they were open and clear about what they want, and the grounds they believe they have to collect i, I would probably pay it.

 

Chasing a 17 year old debt? That's pretty desperate! Actually, I should check my credit file to see what it says.

[Distilled Peanuts]

The reason for the sudden flood of SB debts

showing up is that there is new technical guidance

about selling/assigning SB debt without informing

the propective purchaser of the status of the debt,

the status of debts sold in large portfolio is no disclosed.

 

Oh yeah I'm aware of the new (and old )practice. I'm just pointing out that another bulk sale took place in recent months, so Ruthbridge will have a large mailshot this month. I suspect they bought the package from Clarity Credit Management. Which is why I was curious about which CC provider

 

Chasing a 17 year old debt? That's pretty desperate! Actually, I should check my credit file to see what it says.

 

 

BRIGADIER2JCS posts explains the reason. SB debts are now fair game, although its not stopped DCA's in the past. Fishing letters are best binned and never replied to. They're fishing for a reason, they dont have any details to act otherwise you would have got the "You owe " letter.

 

Ruthbridge specialise in Statute Barred Debts.

Edited May 25, 2012 by Distilled Peanuts

[Lord Snooty]

Just checked my Experian credit report, as expected there's nothing there. Absolutely nothing. No mention of the cc or mortgage etc that I do have. Should these normally show up in my Credit Report?

[Distilled Peanuts]

Just checked my Experian credit report, as expected there's nothing there. Absolutely nothing. No mention of the cc or mortgage etc that I do have. Should these normally show up in my Credit Report?

 

 

Your mortgage may show up on the other agencies CRF. There are three agencys and information does not always show up on all three. There is also Equifax Ltd and Callcredit Plc. My bank details only show up on Equifax.

 

 

With regards your 'alleged CC debt', that would only show up within 6 years of placement. After 6 years it 'should' be removed. However, if a CCJ 'had' been placed then there is no way of knowing unless the creditor has the original court paperwork. Even the court system only keep details of CCJ's for 6 years.

 

Just bin any fishing letter, if you reply then they know 'someone' exists and may step up the game. Never poke a sleeping Lion

 

 

The following is ONLY if you have a CCJ on this debt

 

If you have not moved (ergo- not seen to evade the debt) and the creditor had 'not' taken action in the 6 year period of the CCJ, then its doubtful any court would allow the CCJ to be acted on. IF however, you had moved and not told the creditor, a judge would usually allow a CCJ older than 6 years to be used in court.

Edited May 25, 2012 by Distilled Peanuts