Received debt collection letter from Dubai

[bigjug_1991]

Hi,

 

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

 

I left Dubai in July 2010 and had a car loan.

I took the car back to the dealer and spoke to the bank about the remaining amount due on the car loan before I left.

 

I was leaving relatively quickly and had about 3 weeks to sort all of this out.

 

The value of the car was about the same as the amount left on the loan.

I think there might have been AED 10,000 difference

 

. I spoke to the bank and had to wait two weeks to get a letter with the remaining loan amount before I could settle.

 

Unfortunately the bank was late with this letter and I got on my flight and left this behind. This was possibly a little naive.

 

5 and a bit years later I have received a letter from a debt collection agency asking for AED 169,000 (approx £25,000).

 

I think they have sent the letter hoping they have the correct address as I do not think they are 100% sure that I live here.

 

Can i ignore the letter or should I respond?

 

I am worried about responding as the amount is so much!

 

I really cannot aford £25,000 - we'd have to sell our home to pay such a debt.

[renegadeimp]

If its a phishing letter, sit tight and wait for something of more substance. A far as i know, there are no agreements in place between the UAE and UK to enforce debts.

[dx100uk]

There are a few examples of the original creditor taking action

But certainly not a no powers dca

They are not baillifs

And have

No such legal powers

 

Let it run

 

Seems like you owe nowt anyway

Phishing attempt to fleecers mug

 

Dx

[oleg]

If this is Coyle White Devine,

enter their name in the search box, you'll learn plenty about their tactics.

[ThedaBara]

Hi,

 

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

 

I left Dubai in July 2010 and had a car loan.

I took the car back to the dealer and spoke to the bank about the remaining amount due on the car loan before I left.

 

I was leaving relatively quickly and had about 3 weeks to sort all of this out.

 

The value of the car was about the same as the amount left on the loan.

I think there might have been AED 10,000 difference

 

. I spoke to the bank and had to wait two weeks to get a letter with the remaining loan amount before I could settle.

 

Unfortunately the bank was late with this letter and I got on my flight and left this behind. This was possibly a little naive.

 

5 and a bit years later I have received a letter from a debt collection agency asking for AED 169,000 (approx £25,000).

 

I think they have sent the letter hoping they have the correct address as I do not think they are 100% sure that I live here.

 

Can i ignore the letter or should I respond?

 

I am worried about responding as the amount is so much!

 

I really cannot aford £25,000 - we'd have to sell our home to pay such a debt.

 

Do you intend returning to Dubai and if you did, what would the consequences be? In some countries you might be arrested on return, possibly...

[oleg]

Debt is criminal offence. Almost certain arrest and detention on

arrival or even in transit , not only in UAE but any GCC state. I'm sure bigjug is already aware.

[unclebulgaria67]

Being that it is over 5 years later and only a fishing letter, it will probably be statute barred before they get around to think about taking it to court. UK courts will look at this debt, provided the Dubai finance agreement allows foreign courts to be used.

 

If it gets to the stage where they are threatening to issue a UK court claim, start asking for evidence of the debt e,g copy of finance agreement with full terms and conditions in English, statements of account, other documents which prove how the debt amount has been arrived at.