IOU

if you have a debt in the uk and you are a permenant resident of australia with no intention of returning to uk and with no other equity in uk, what are the consequences of non-payment of the debt ? It is for 15000 pounds to direct line. This is a theoretical question and I ask as I have seperated whilst here in Aus and I am somewhat strapped for cash!

Koolasuchas

Smoke ‘em out of their holes, get ‘em runnin’, and bring ‘em to justice.

tiredwithtwins

use the search thingy for 'debt' and you will come up with a few ideas......think general consensus of opinion is that they will eventually catch up with you......plus youre screwed if you have to go back, cos then they definately will catch up with you!!

sue

stuartgibb

Does this go for student loans as well ?? will i have to set up a direct debit from australia to pay it off each month ?? Can they make me do that if I'm no longer working in the UK and dont inttend to for 4 years ??

Pollyana

I'm stuck in Catch 22 with my loan from the Abbey National - they have told me I can't pay it by internet banking(?) so have to pay over the phone with a UK debit card (which I don't have) or by using a UK cheque.........so I asked the Abbey National banking branch for a new cheque book.......and they won't give me one because I requested it over the net & cos they can't see it is of any use to me in Australia! They will give me one when I go into a branch and prove I'm me (have a long wait then won't they!)

2 bits of the same company for goodness sake - and I'm trying to pay them money, not run away from the debt! Makes you wonder how badly they want it paid.

karawara88

At least you trying to pay your debts even if they don't want your cash.

Unlike the scumbags who think its OK to accumalate debt and then clear off. It makes me

IOU

I don't want to accumulate debts and clear off! I've never had a debt in my life and wish to pay it but I am unable to pay it a the rate set due to the unforseen circumstance of seperating from my wife

karawara88

My comments were aimed at those that do think its OK just to clear off and leave debts, when you asked " what are the consequences of non-payment of the debt" I took it to mean you were considering it as an option.

To answer your question, the consequences usually end up with you owing far more, companys sell debts and it builds everytime they do. The sum is such that its in someones interest to recover it. Also sods law says they catch up with you when you least expect it or need it.

All you have to do is contact them explain circumstances and set a rate you can afford to pay, often you can get the interest stopped. More often than not they are happy getting some money. The citizens advice bureau are usually pretty good at sorting this sort of thing, might be worth a visit just to find out the options.

Just realised you are in oz so bit of a trek to CAB I would write and tell them situation get interest stopped and agree a payment amount.

Swaffy

The flippin Abbey National now the 'abbey' - name changes really annoy me - are great at somethings but other things, they make life so complicated. Like changing from my maiden name into my married name. They were the only ones that said we need to see your marriage cert. HSBC didn't ask to see it. So abbey account still in maiden, can't be arse.....with um

paulf

Screw em, knock the money grabbing leeches, these debt lending firms deserve everything that happens to em!
Don't bother worrying about all these hollyier than tho attitudes,
KNOCK EM,
(wish i had thought of it now)

karawara88

But you know if you did it the buggers would be knocking on your door. I know if I did it the mob would be round armed with base ball bats. Debt collectors are more persistent than Jehovah's

flippinheck

its along way from the uk to swing a baseball bat.
generally you will be declared bankrupt once the debt has mounted up and then you will have 6 years before they forget it and your debts will be cancelled, this means they will chase you for 6 years if you come back to the uk, after that you should be clear.

pay it off if you can you never know whats around the corner.

Kentish Man

Would be interesting to clarify the legal situation. Personally I have no debt but I'm all for screwing over the loan companies if you can get away with it. Debt is sinking countless numbers in the western world. Fair enough, stupidity plays a part but there is an aggressive bastard attitude amongst loan companies. Just watch the commercial breaks on Sky or open the advertising section in a newspaper. Vast numbers of 'easy solutions to your problems' advertisements by loan companies.

Moneylenders are largely a bunch of low life bastards. Even Jesus and Mohammed thought so!!

Larissa

Just what I am thinking! I'm considering ringing the SLC and finding out what they say. Hopefully I'll be able to pay in installments once I'm earning over a certain amount in Aus. I'm really cheesed off with the SLC... but that's another story.

You're right about debt collectors etc. though Kentish man... I haven't got any debts except for student loan ones and am determined to never get a credit card or another loan.

If someone knows what is standard for the SLC please post it as I don't fancy ringing up their muppets in the call centre

Kentish Man

I'm curious about your SLC problems Larissa. I've heard of a few people in the same situation and you'd think they'd have a standard policy for people emigrating but they don't appear to have a clue!

Regarding my previous post, ironically I've noticed a pop up ad for a loan company on this very thread! Money grabbing, misery inflicting lying no good low life.

Avoid debt! The best advice you will ever receive!

:lecture: