thanks dx/gordies... fingers crossed nothing happens when I'm on hols!

I've never made a payment because they weren't my contracts, all I know is that they were opened online in 2005 and have defaults in 2006. Someone else I lived with at the time had a contract for vodafone taken out in their name - it wasn't a honest household! I just looked at the last letter from Hamptons and it does say 'may' take a CCJ and then at the end of the letter suggests I pay 50% of the balance to close the matter. I also noticed that Lowell are looking at my credit file with experian every week. So I guess this has something to do with it. Previously I contacted 3 about the accounts but I suppose if I tell Lowell that they're not my accounts they wouldn't believe me anyway - if I should just ignore them I will, but it is annoying getting letters and harassment and worry!

Hi, In 2005 I lived in a student house where there were about 6/7 of us and about 5 or more at least who used to use it is a hotel! A couple of years back I got notification that two 3 contracts were taken out in my name in 2005, and there is a debt totalling about £500 on these accounts. After arguing with 3 about it for ages and not getting anywhere I just let it go because the accounts didnt appear on my file and they refused to acknowledge the debt wasn't mine, even though they couldn't provide a signature or anything. Now in the past few months I have received a few letters from Lowell, Red and Hamptons threatening court if I do not pay the two debts. I have checked my credit report and the two accounts now appear with defaults from 2006 - so both due to drop off soon (and presumably statute barred?). Not sure what to do here... Hamptons letter in May say they are assessing me for a CCJ. Is this a standard trick or should I be worried? I am going on holiday for three weeks next week so if anything happens when I am away will I be screwed? Any advice much appreciated.

thanks very much for clarifying. phew.

no it was another company, mackenzie I think. does that mean HSBC sold the debt to them, and cannot now take it from me? Sorry if I'm being thick I'm just a bit concerned.

Thanks dx, I have looked at my credit file with Experian online and the account is not showing. I remember getting a paper file a fe wyears back and the account was on there then, but with a different owner - a debt collection agency. So because of the SB they definitely can't take the money now?

When I had the account? I actually had a Midland bank account when I was in my teens and it changed when I was a student at 18.

Hi Posting in this forum as wasn't sure where else this would fit. I'm a bit concerned about something that has just come to light for me - the right for banks to 'set off', i.e. taking money from an account in credit to pay off a debt. I had a student bank account with HSBC ten years ago and had an overdraft of £1000. I defaulted on this and they closed the account when I got into financial problems. I was with CCCS for a bit on a payment plan but after two years stopped paying. I used to get the odd letters from debt companies about the account but from my understanding this debt (about £700) is now statute barred and no CCJ was ever issued. Last year I got an account with First Direct and I am suddenly worrying whether HSBC will try and take the £700 from my current account. They haven't contacted me about this, and I haven't told them, but surely they must know? Or will HSBC have 'written off' the amount when they sold the debt on? I didn't realise the set off rules when I opened FD account, not sure whether I should contact HSBC to make an offer of repayment on the old account?