UAE DEBT

[Cdubz]

Hello, 

 

I've read various threads on here but struggled to see clear outcomes. 

 

I have two debts from the UAE, I moved back to the UK last year for personal reasons leaving behind a loan and credit card. 

 

I have received contact from IDRWW (with regards to my Mashreq account) and Judge & Priestly Solicitors (regarding my ENBD account). 

Should I be engaging with them to arrange a repayment plan or should I wait for court summons? 

 

Of course, I don't expect to get away with not paying back but I do intend to pay back but only based on my current affordability, which really isn't a lot in all honesty. 

 

It might be worth noting that I have no intention of returning to the UAE, or indeed travelling through the region, again. Also, I have moved address so they currently do not have my new postal contact details. However, they have sourced my telephone number (only received SMS thus far) and email address. 

 

Huge thanks in advance for any advice offered.

[AndyOrch]

Hi and Welcome to CAG

 

SO what exactly does this text /email state ?

 

Andy

[Cdubz]

Hi Andy, 

 

Thank you for your quick reply! 

 

Letters and emails from IDRWW have been the usual reply within 14 days, and that they are understanding of financial affordability. 

 

Texts from IDRWW and Judge & Priestly are just asking for me to contact them via telephone. 

 

As mentioned, I do intend to pay back as i can't imagine there is ever a scenario where you are able to just walk away (although I have huge issues with the finance they just throw at you willy nilly in the UAE regardless of affordability etc).

 

Thank you again.  

[dx100uk]

well that's the whole point..they should NOT have loaned you in the 1st place.

so throw the morality card out the window...

 

have you moved within the UK since you came here?

or have you actually informed the banks of your correct UK address in writing yourself

rather than their dogs finding you via your UK credit file and sending phishing attempts ?

 

dx

 

[AndyOrch]

Quote

Also, I have moved address so they currently do not have my new postal contact details

 

Quote

Letters and emails from IDRWW have been the usual reply within 14 days

 

You said they didn't have your current address  ? Letters to your previous address ?

[Cdubz]

Hi dx, 

 

Thank you for your response. 

 

I have moved within the UK twice since late 2018 (with family at first and now on my second rental). 

The 2 companies have my previous rental address, presumably they got this from my credit file. 

I have not responded to them at all, so no opportunity to give them my new contact details. 

 

I've just set up mail redirection from my old property to my new one. 

 

My social media is all private with no telling details, and my LinkedIn just shows me as a freelancer (which I am). 

 

Thanks so much. 

 

Hi Andy. 

 

Yes, letters to my old rental address. 

Although, I have just set up mail redirection to my new address through the Royal Mail.

 

Thanks. 

[AndyOrch]

I would be contacting them to update your current address....we have known redirects to fail with regards to court claim. 

 

If they wish to escalate this their first port of call will be to send you whats known as a Pre Action Protocol form...similar to the following ...

 

 

 

What dates do the agreements go back to and what date did you last make a payment ?

[Cdubz]

Ok. So make contact now and give them my contact details? Should this be done by phone or email or post?
 

Date they were taken out were in 2014, I need to

get the exact date... and last payments in October 2018. 

 

Thank you

[AndyOrch]

Whichever way your most comfortable with...I personally wouldn't speak to them...email should suffice as long as you have proof they are aware of your current address...is the point of the exercise.

 

The reason for the dates was to eliminate the debts being Statute Barred...the SOL on UAE debts is 10 years.

[Cdubz]

Ok thank you so much. 

[AndyOrch]

I dont suppose you have retained any paperwork in connection to the agreements ?

[Cdubz]

No :-(. I never realised their importance all those years ago and left behind in Dubai. 

When I say all those years ago I mean when I got the initial paperwork and agreements. I only left Dubai in 2018, and discarded it all. 

[dx100uk]

might it not be a worthy idea not to use email

incase they raise a claim latter?

we know what they are like ?

 

dx

[Cdubz]

I haven’t sent anything yet so do let me know what you think I’m best off doing...  

[dx100uk]

pers I would simply Write via royal mail to the bank direct.. simply informing them of your correct and current UK address ref a/c numbers .

you can get free proof of posting at any PO counter.

 

one last thing..the letters do say our client xxx bank?

[Cdubz]

There isn't much of a postal system in Dubai, I have had birthday cards etc posted to me in Dubai over the years and often it would take 2 months to even reach me, if at all. That is my only concern about posting to Dubai.

 

With regards to wording of the letters. See attached for latest from International Debt Recovery.

 

The text from Judge & Priestly just says "Please Contact Judge & Priestly Solicitors on 020 8290 7316 ref xxxx. This is not a sales or marketing text. Please do not reply to this message." In the reference number there are letters included that allude to ENBD. 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Cdubz

[unclebulgaria67]

These people chasing the debts are after easy money and won't spend money on court fees, as it is really up to the foreign creditor whether they want to take it further. 

 

Depends on your situation.  Level of debt owed, when you stopped paying, whether there were any issues with the debt you owed i.e. problems with the way Bank handled the accounts, excessive interest/fees added and also on your current position back in the UK.  Are you in employment and can afford repayments ?  Do you own any property assets ?  

 

There are some cases of these foreign banks making people bankrupt in the UK related to the debts owed.  Also they have obtained CCJ's, but from what we have seen, this tends to be where the debtor has decided to ignore communications or not keep creditors up to date with latest UK address or failed to follow the correct processes to defend claims.

 

Which is why it is suggested that you contact the foreign Banks directly, provide your address and start a dialogue, but don't admit to owing the debt or mention repayments.   Ask for copies of statements and any documents they have issued, since you left Dubai. Tell them about your current situation, if you have financial issues, which might be a factor in how you deal with this matter.

 

And you can advise the companies from the UK chasing this, that you are dealing with the Banks directly.

[Cdubz]

Hi Unclebulgaria67, 

 

Thanks for your reply. 

 

I left Dubai due to suffering from post natal depression and needed support from my family back home. 

 

I owe 90,000 AED in total, and stopped paying when I left in October '18.

 

There were excessive interest/fees added (i'm sure i have paid the original amount owed twice over once you add late fees and the interest) and no understanding from the banks when I had to stop working in Dubai due to my health.

 

When I asked for help the bank managers and telephone support centres would always say I must borrow from a friend or family member or sell something. I think i was quite fortunate to get out of the country when I did. 

 

I'm self-employed here in the UK and own no assets, not even a car. 

 

To be honest, I can't go through the stress of going to court so i feel it may be best to work out a payment plan for an agreed amount. I just don't know the right way to achieve the best result. 

 

Any further pointers would be much appreciated. 

 

Thank you 

 

To add, I could afford small repayments and happy to arrange that just to get this over and done with. 

But I doubt they would want to listen to the types of payment i could afford.

 

Ahh sorry for that upload DX. 

Do you need me to upload the letter again or did you see it? 

[dx100uk]

images/posts removed
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please do not post jpg picture images directly to a post
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read upload and redact in jpg then convert using on of the listed websites there to convert to one multipage pdf only

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that way only logged-in,registered and approved caggers are the only ones that can download and see them
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else anyone can see them caggers or not.

dx

[dx100uk]

pdf please read upload

[Cdubz]

Is this better?

IDR_LETTER.pdf

[Cdubz]

This letter was end of January, since moved as mentioned so there is every possibility several more letters could have arrived since. But have now redirected my mail using Royal Mail as of this week.

[AndyOrch]

Lets not get a head of ourselves and see what transpires.......inform IDR of your current address then you will not miss any further developments.I would also request copies of any further communications since letter dated ......Jan 2020.

 

Pointless informing the Bank of your current address.....the tail wagging the dog is here in the UK and they will be the ones escalating and serving.

 

Andy

[Cdubz]

Ok thank you Andy. I’ll email them in the morning. 
 

In your experience, what would be the usual “discount” offered on a debt, if any? Or is that getting ahead of myself?! 

[AndyOrch]

Getting a head of yourself......simply inform them of your current address...no admittance no offers no discounts........then come back here with the next missive you recieve.