Living Abroad, just discovered account with SLC is somehow in arrears

[kadunud]

I've lived in Latin America since I finished university in 2010. Yesterday I was given a letter which had been sent from the UK almost a year ago (dated August 21st 2014) saying my account is in arrears by over 1300 pounds. God knows what that has escalated to by now.

 

A few weeks ago, someone called at my dad's house in the UK looking for me - I'm guessing that that is whatever debt collection agency they've sent after me.

 

1300 GBP is is pretty close to what I earn in a year in this part of the world (basically a volunteer worker) and I've never earned anywhere near their threshold for paying them back. I think this demand for money has been triggered because there was no contact between me and them throughout 2014 (googling this seems to show that you're supposed to submit forms every 12 months, not that they ever told me that).

 

Obviously I cannot pay them back anything as I simply don't have it, and will not have it for the forseeable future. I've emailed them a response asking them to phone me, but until then I'd appreciate it if anyone could shine some light on what I should be expecting here.

 

Basically, what do I do? And what about if it has gone to debt collectors, which I suspect it has?

[dx100uk]

phone who?

who is chasing you?

debt collectors don't chase SLC stuff on behalf of SLC.

I suspect this was Erudio?

and the loan has ben sold on?

 

 

dx

[kadunud]

I have no idea if it's Erudio or anyone else. I'm guessing that they've sold it on then, as it's been almost a year since that letter, they must have - but they haven't made any attempt to get in touch with me.

 

If it's been sold on, what does that mean for me? Does that me that my dealings will only be with whoever it was sold on to rather than the SLC?

[dx100uk]

ok so who did you email?

 

 

dx

[kadunud]

SLC. I just said I got their letter, put the date of it, and gave my mobile number and asked if they could call me to explain it.

[dx100uk]

yes sorry that obv

this is a post 98 new style loan [unless you were in uni prior to that date]

 

 

so std slc letter.

 

 

I doubt very much it was a dca regarding the slc loan at your fathers door.

they don't use dca's to chase slc stuff if its still with slc.

and the later loans are not sold off yet.

 

 

dx

[unclebulgaria67]

Just send your Dad a letter you want to send SLC to explain your current situation and your Dad can post it to them. If SLC are no longer dealing, they will forward it on.

 

If you are out of the country they cannot do much. Occasionally your parents will receive communications, but it won't affect them much. The person who visited may just be checking whether you live there still, as they have not heard from you. They may still write to the address, unless you have a permanent address elsewhere to give them.

[unclebulgaria67]

Could it be an overdrawn student bank account ?

[kadunud]

Definitely not student overdraft, never got into that. I'll send them a letter, thanks.