How to find old (over 6 years ago) CCJs?

[DarkRain]

Hi folks.

 

I got into a lot of debt back in 2000/2001 with various credit card companies. Since then I've pretty much stuck my head in the sand.

 

I now want to try and sort myself out as best I can.

 

I haven't paid any of my creditors a penny in that time, but unfortunately wrote to a few of them a couple of years ago basically telling them I haven't got any money at the moment.

 

I remember getting a couple, possibly three CCJs back in 2001-03. They have now all disappeared off my credit file though.

 

I would now like to try and work out which of my debts will become statute barred in the next couple of years and which have CCJs attached to them, making that not an option.

 

How can I find out about any CCJs against me dating back 6+ years?

 

Thanks.

[cerberusalert]

You can do it online at; CCJs, court orders & fines - Search yourself and others - Trust Online at a cost of £8.

[DarkRain]

Thanks. I saw that but was under the impression it still would only show anything upto 6 years. If it shows everything I'll give it ago!

[cerberusalert]

Once CCJs are six years old to enable the creditor to take enforcement they must apply to the court for permission & give a very good reason why.

[Guest janensteve]

Judgments and decrees are reported by credit reference agencies and by Registry Trust Ltd for a period of six years from their date of registration. Judgments and decrees paid within a calendar month can be removed from the Register. Where the judgment or decree was paid outside one calendar month, the judgment will be marked on the register as satisfied but will be reported for the six years.

 

IF Registry Trust hold the data for more than 6 years but do not report them, then they may be able to help. see link below

 

FAQs & Help - Trust Online

[DarkRain]

Once CCJs are six years old to enable the creditor to take enforcement they must apply to the court for permission & give a very good reason why.

 

If they don't already have a CCJ can they still get one after 6 years?

[cerberusalert]

If you haven't made a payment or acknowledged the debt for a clear period of six years (five in Scotland) it would be Statute Barred & they will be unable to obtain a CCJ.

[DarkRain]

If you haven't made a payment or acknowledged the debt for a clear period of six years (five in Scotland) it would be Statute Barred & they will be unable to obtain a CCJ.

 

Yes, but I think for a couple of creditors I reset it 2 years ago.

 

So if I can establish which already have judgments and which don't I can try and ignore the ones that don't for another 4 years. Not ideal but...

[DarkRain]

Well I paid my £8 with CCJs, court orders & fines - Search yourself and others - Trust Online and it came back with nothing. Not even a CCJ from 2003 that I know fell of my credit file last month.

 

So I have no idea who filed the other couple of CCJs I think I got. I say think because I assume those nasty brown envelopes I got back in 2001/02 went on to become full blown CCJs.

 

No idea how I should proceed now.

[cerberusalert]

If they start chasing you again the chances are if they have a CCJ they will mention it. However even if they don't there is nothing to stop you sending the Statute Barred letter, the onus then will be on them to prove otherwise. Also, if the original creditor has sold the debt on to a DCA it will be in a portfolio with hundreds if not thousands of others & they very rarely pass the paperwork with them. So it could be that the DCA is unaware of the existence of a CCJ anyway & because they are no longer on your credit file will have no way of finding out.

[DarkRain]

If they start chasing you again the chances are if they have a CCJ they will mention it. However even if they don't there is nothing to stop you sending the Statute Barred letter, the onus then will be on them to prove otherwise. Also, if the original creditor has sold the debt on to a DCA it will be in a portfolio with hundreds if not thousands of others & they very rarely pass the paperwork with them. So it could be that the DCA is unaware of the existence of a CCJ anyway & because they are no longer on your credit file will have no way of finding out.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I'm worried about sending off a statute barred letter or a CCA request in case it just sets them off in some way and they damage my now clean credit file.

[cerberusalert]

Once a default or CCJ has dropped off your file it cannot be re-registered.

 

If they are not in contact with you there's no point in contacting them really.

[DarkRain]

Once a default or CCJ has dropped off your file it cannot be re-registered.

 

If they are not in contact with you there's no point in contacting them really.

 

Well I do get three or four letters a year from them and one rang my mum at my old address (9 years ago!) last month.

 

She's been through a lot lately with the loss of my dad and I don't want any doing that again. She just said I didn't live there any more.

[cerberusalert]

Personally I would let sleeping dogs lie & just ignore their letters.

 

The problem with DCAs once they establish initial contact they'll start turning the screws and try and wear you down. You'll end up with endless 'phone calls, text messages & letters.

 

Every now and again they'll pass debts amongst themselves in the hope that different tactics will bear fruit for them, so any initial letters will just be a phishing exercise.

[DarkRain]

Personally I would let sleeping dogs lie & just ignore their letters.

 

The problem with DCAs once they establish initial contact they'll start turning the screws and try and wear you down. You'll end up with endless 'phone calls, text messages & letters.

 

Every now and again they'll pass debts amongst themselves in the hope that different tactics will bear fruit for them, so any initial letters will just be a phishing exercise.

 

That sounds like the best idea, providing my mum doesn't get any more calls.

 

I assume once the debts become statute barred it's possible to stop them completely?

[cerberusalert]

Yes, when they become Statute Barred if they continue to pursue once you've sent the SB letter & if they continue they will be in breach of OFT guidelines and you can start complaining to the regulatory bodies.

[DarkRain]

Yes, when they become Statute Barred if they continue to pursue once you've sent the SB letter & if they continue they will be in breach of OFT guidelines and you can start complaining to the regulatory bodies.

 

 

Right. Thanks again for your (and everyone's) advice.

[KJ123]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I was searching for some info - hence reading your thread, if there was a CCJ in 2001 and the DCA are now trying to enforce it (by Charging Order) can we apply to have the CCJ set aside or is it too old? I have tried the trust and know there is no record any more of the CCJ

[cerberusalert]

As above, they need to apply to the court for permission to enforce & they need good reason.

 

If you post your query in the legal forum Legal Issues - The Consumer Forums they'll advise on how to proceed.