Originally Posted by dollface

Is this still Wanda, or sausages we're talking about?

Originally Posted by Animal

We seem to have gone off on a tangent. I was talking about the nationality of the Debt Collector who knocks on your door after leaving the UK to live in Canada without paying off your UK credit card bills !

Originally Posted by Headingforhalifax

My question: What will be the consequences of ignoring this debt?

Originally Posted by JonboyE

None*. Go ahead, ignore it. If the banks were stupid enough to let you borrow the money in the first place why should they expect you to pay it back? We'll all chip in some to cover.


* this may not be 100% correct.

Originally Posted by dollface

but was he armed with sausages?

Originally Posted by Animal

Originally Posted by dollface

Should we chip in with the mortgage too? or just the debt?

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian

I do. I was a solicitor in England and am now a lawyer in Alberta.

I used to receive such instructions when in England (to sue people all over the world) and I made contacts with lawyers in the relevant jurisdictions.

Whether they will chase you depends upon the creditor. It is very cheap and easy for them to do so, despite what people on here will tell you. Between England the Provinces and Territories in Canada, it is very simple.

Ultimately, it is a judgement call for you to make.

Why did you not pay it off with the proceeds from the sale of your flat?

Originally Posted by JonboyE

It is always prudent to start with the highest interest rates. But, once we have cleared the credit card debt we should see if paying the mortgage is proving equally inconvenient to the OP.

Originally Posted by Headingforhalifax

We are very happy here and will definitely not return to the UK.

Any advice and insight appreciated.

Many thanks.

Originally Posted by chrisbrockhurst

I have a couple of friend's working in the debt collection industry, one rather high up. Through conversation before they have told me of the statute-barred law. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ihtmanual/ihtm28384.htm
Not that I encourage such a thing, but it does exist.

In short, if you can avoid the debt for 6 years, without acknowledging it in any way shape or form, avoid making contact with the company or any affliates, the company may be barred from continuing to pursue the debt wtih you.

Originally Posted by Headingforhalifax

Hi all.

I left London, England 20 months ago with my Canadian wife for a new life in Canada. I am a permanent resident here in Nova Scotia.

We are very happy here and will definitely not return to the UK. We have bought a home, etc and have bank accounts and a good credit rating.

We sold our UK flat and besides a few thousand pounds in pension savings, we don't have any assets in the EU.

I left behind about 10,000 in credit card debt, spread across Visa, Amex and Mastercard, with different banks.

My question: What will be the consequences of ignoring this debt?

Given that I'm 100 percent certain the banks I owe to will be able to easily track me down, is it likely they'll bother chasing me? There is a reciprocal agreement in place between the UK and Canada, meaning that in theory a UK bank could obtain a judgement against me and then apply for an order in my province. But are they likely to bother?

And if they do, what protection - if any - does Canadian consumer law offer me against a bailiff et al seizing our belongings?

I've researched this heavily on this website and while many people are saying it's wrong to ignore your debt and that the bank will come after you, I've yet to find even one example of someone saying they know someone who suffered an enforcement after permanently leaving the UK.

Any advice and insight appreciated.

Many thanks.

Originally Posted by Headingforhalifax

I left behind about 10,000 in credit card debt, spread across Visa, Amex and Mastercard, with different banks.

My question: What will be the consequences of ignoring this debt?