Drinky

No one ever admits to it, suppose I'm lining myself up for a shooting. We know of people that have 'done a runner' from the UK, gone back several years later and nothing has happened. Even heard stories of people purchasing lap tops and phones on the easy payment system and comming straight over to Auss.

For those of you who wish to dodge child maintenance, its possible if you keep low, know of a reliable source within the CSA that says the UK don't bother to chase absent parents for money because it costs the UK tax payer too much money for what they get back in the end. I know the UK and Australia have a reciprecal agreement on Child Support and Australia says it will follow up UK requests. But the reality is it doesn't happen, again its up to the individual wether they persue this, not for me to judge.

Gert Muller

Leaving credit card debt in the UK or owing money to Argos, DFS etc is one thing and I certainly wouldn't judge anyone on that level but "dodging" child maintenance whether you live in the UK or Oz is in my opinion despicable. There are some things you can walk away from like credit card debt but your responsibilties as a parent should be taken a lot more seriously, not to mention the parent that is left behind to shoulder the financial responsibilities.

itxrd

Ooh i was laughing my head off there but Gert has a point. CM is a step too far. We have to have some morals now

perksy

Dont be too quick to judge regarding child maintainance payments. My mates ex mrs screwed him over at the CSA. She was awarded thousands which he paid up. She banked it all over the year, then went on a bit of a spree at the Armani shop.

The kid got nowt, not even a new colouring book!

wilsonc

Did they have a sale on??

JAJ

A smart creditor would accept a solution that offered more cash and/or a quicker payment, than driving you into bankruptcy.

Although if the creditor was that smart, the money would usually not have been lent in the first place.

This kind of deal can only work for those with limited assets/income where the creditor has nothing to gain by making you bankrupt. If you do get any settlement like this keep the evidence in writing permanently in case they "sell" the debt on to a collector.

It probably would damage your credit rating but if you've already got yourself too far into debt once, why on earth would you want to go into debt again?

Rod-Helen-Poppy

so - you get into debt in the Uk as you want everything, but cant afford it.

do a bunk over to here - and want to do the same again.

what a stand up pillar of society.

JAJ

Not possible to "get into debt" unless there's a willing lender.

Rod-Helen-Poppy

im sorry - but i dont subscribe to that train of thought.

someone has to pay for the money that has been lost - and it will be the other people of that country, be in it higher lending charges or whatever, others are picking up your tab.

well done - give yourself a huge pat on the back.

lets blame all the lenders for people running huge debt up - sounds a very reasoned arguement to me, as im sure there was a gun at your head when you ordered your latest fad

JAJ

The whole principle of bankruptcy is that creditors have to take a loss and the debtor can start again at zero rather than have to pay off a mountain of debt.

Rod-Helen-Poppy

there are genuine cases of bankruptcy - being made redundant and such, but that is not the issue.

the issue here is whether somone chooses to pay it or chooses to bump it; or takes a load of HP out before leaving the UK.

2 very different things.

personally i hope it comes back to bite them on the arse

Seneca21

Sorry - you're asking if loading a brand new three piece suite from DFS onto a container and stealing it is morally wrong or right?

Theanswer is that it is totally immoral and also theft.

At least now we know why sofas at DFS are so expensive.

carolinephillips

If you default on your debts and the prospective employer finds out then they are far less likely to employ you as you will be seen as untrustworthy.
It is dishonest if you set out deliberately to default, especially if you increase the debts or max out the credit cards just before going.

perksy

How many jobs do you think require credit checks?

I would question the employers morals over that of the employee if he found out credit information without prior approval. I'd even suggest it would be illegal.

With consumer credit it is nigh on impossible to prove a deliberate default. The law is mainly aimed at business credit agreements.

It is perfectly within the boundries of UK consumer credit law to 'max out' as many credit cards as you wish and then leave the country. It is up to the individual weather they choose to pay up or not. Morally its not right but thats the law I'm afraid.

wilsonc

hi What about secured debt?

I have a house with -ve equity, a mortgage that is higher than the value I could get(if it was able to sell - highly unlikely) and a £20k secured loan. No great prospects of rental in my area after.

If I walk away and hand back the keys what happens? Bankrupcy? can they chase to Australia?