Originally Posted by Kat1703 (Post 4948608)

Hi everyone, I posted on here a while ago about going back home and my mother not speaking to me ever again (she lives here in FL). Well, that's all sorted, but I'm seriously worried about something else.

When I left, I came to FL to live with my mother for a while, but I had quite substantial debt in the UK at the time. I told my mother about this debt and she said she would pay it off for me. Now, three years later, I've decided to move home and she's kindly informed me that NONE of them have been paid off. Not one payment has been made for 3 years. I know I should have checked into it myself beforehand, but I trusted her and it's not like I can turn back time now.

My debt consisted of the following:

Lloyds overdraft - 2000 pounds
Lloyds graduate loan - 4000 pounds
Lloyds credit card - 500 pounds
Natwest credit card - 1000 pounds

Total - roughly 7500 pounds.

My questions are:

What do you think will happen upon my return after 3 years of nothing??

The debts have probably been passed along to agencies in my absence so who should I even contact?

Will I be able to rent? (I'll have proof of paying rent on time here in US and I already have a good job sorted in England).


I know I've been stupid, I don't need to be told, I would just really appreciate some advice...

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post.

Originally Posted by dozy_muppet03 (Post 4967506)

I get the sense, that you did a runner and that you need or want to come back, but realise you may have to face the music...

Originally Posted by lolly (Post 4949522)

Estate agents do a credit check through one of the credit comps if you want to rent.

Originally Posted by dozy_muppet03 (Post 4967506)

Interesting comment about your mum, are you saying you gave your money to your mum who then payed off your debt...or that your mum was simply going to use her own money to pay off your debt. I get the sense, that you did a runner and that you need or want to come back, but realise you may have to face the music...Don't worry though, time is on your side, after about seven years, statute of limitations will kick in, also do yourself a favour and go to www.equifax.co.uk and get your credit report to see if any damage.


rgds


John

Originally Posted by Elvira (Post 4967590)

If you could be bothered to actually check the OP's situation (which I would have thought would be a good idea before making unsubstantiated allegations!) you'd know that this is not the case...

Originally Posted by Kat1703 (Post 4967579)

No, I didn't do a runner. My mother said she paid off the entire debt, and I was paying her back in installments (not anymore!) to avoid monthly international money transfer fees.

I may be too trusting, but I am not a thief.

Originally Posted by LouiseD (Post 4963252)

It must be so difficult moving across the world alone without the added worry of paying back 7.5K you didn't realise that you owed.

If she contacts these people immediately and gives them her new address then surely they are going to start hassling her for payments which will stress her out even more.

Originally Posted by UtahSaint (Post 4967753)

The responsible thing here is to make contact with the bank/agencies asap. Then she'll know exactly where she stands. She's already stressed, so understanding exactly where she stands with regards to how much she now owes will ease some of that stress-level.


Trust me Kat, that 7.5k owed will now probably be 15k owed (sorry to hit you with the bad news) so start working on a long term payment plan - say 48 or 60 months and work with the agencies on that plan - they just want the money - not your blood.

Remember, until you get settled and a job, they can't take anything from you - personally, I'd try and contact them before I made it back to the UK, give them your US address and see what happens.

Good luck, and like the first reply said - Chin Up, you'll get through this dilemma in time. :thumbsup:

Originally Posted by Kat1703 (Post 4967806)

Well, I've just tried both Equifax and Experian and I need to have a current address in the UK. Bit difficult, as I haven't had one for 3 years! Tried just putting in my last address, but that didn't work either... Hm.

Don't worry, I know what you're saying Louise D. Think I might make sure am sorted when I get back, then figure out what to do. Maybe call CCCS.

Originally Posted by UtahSaint (Post 4967753)

Trust me Kat, that 7.5k owed will now probably be 15k owed (sorry to hit you with the bad news) so start working on a long term payment plan - say 48 or 60 months and work with the agencies on that plan - they just want the money - not your blood.

Remember, until you get settled and a job, they can't take anything from you - personally, I'd try and contact them before I made it back to the UK, give them your US address and see what happens.

Originally Posted by BigDavyG (Post 4968417)

As you say - 7.5k was what the debt was a few years ago - will be vastly inflated by now.
To be honest I'd come back and do one of two things - tackle it head on then most likely file for bankruptcy if they are after big bucks, or say nothing and see what happens.
Its would be nice to clean the slate, etc, but the strain a 60 month repayment plan can put on a person just isn't even worth considering, especially if that is on top or car, rent/mortgage, etc.

Originally Posted by Big Pete (Post 4962818)

Just ensure you come back to a different address than you lived at when you ran up the debts ..
Ensure you avoid Lloyds and nat west
Ensure you can bring referances from the US and show your a good risk , and maybe even a few referances and you will be fine :thumbup:

Lloyds and Nat West make billions so they wont even be bothered by your petty cash ammounts ;)