OK thanks for this. They've written back to me and said they would be contacting HSBC Oman to get a statement from 2008-2010. I'm sure I closed my account in 2008. It was such a long time ago, I'm now beginning to doubt myself. I'd lived in various countries and had always closed my account, so don't see why I wouldn't have done so this time. Does the same apply to Oman?

When you statute barred - does this include if it's a debt in the Middle East (although, I still say I have no knowledge of ever leaving any debts behind!)

Yes they do. They suggested contacting CAB, who then told me I should send the letter. IDRWW told me I had 7 days to reply otherwise they would use the address as the main way of contacting me. I've not heard anything back from them as yet.

Andy Here you go. Dear Sir/Madam Account No: You have contacted me about the account with the above reference number, which you claim I owe. I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to. I am familiar with the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Consumer Credit sourcebook which states the following. "A firm must not ignore or disregard a customer's claim that a debt has been settled or is disputed and must not continue to make demands for payment without providing clear justification and/or evidence as to why the customer's claim is not valid." 7.5.3 "A firm must suspend any steps it takes or its agent takes in the recovery of a debt from a customer where the customer disputes the debt on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds." 7.14.1 "Where a customer disputes a debt on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds, the firm must investigate the dispute and provide details of the debt to the customer in a timely manner." 7.14.3 If you do not stop collection activity whilst investigating my dispute, you are breaking FCA rules and guidance. Also, ignoring claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment is harassment. Please do not make any further contact about the above accounts unless you can provide evidence of my liability for the debt. I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to my local trading standards service and consider informing the FCA of your actions. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully

The letter was from IDRWW saying they were acting on behalf of HSBC Middle East. No other information, other than there's a portfolio with my name on. I wasn't aware of any debt being left behind, and it's rather strange that I should receive a letter now, having been back in the UK for 11 years! They advised going to the Citizens Advice Bureau which I did and they gave me a quite strongly worded template letter to use. I emailed it first thing this morning, but not heard back. I guess I will just have to sit and wait to see what happens next. Thanks for your help though.

I'm hoping someone can help me. I have received a letter today from IDRWW stating that they have been instructed by HSBC Middle East to contact me. I left the Middle East in 2008 and don't remember leaving any debts behind! I'm really worried as I have no debts here in the UK and my credit score is really good, so I don't want to lose everything I have built up here. Should I contact them to see what it is they actually want? Since we moved back to the UK in 2011 I have changed home 3 times, and have never heard from them before! Thanks very much.