CreditCards Blog

I have been gone from the UK for nearly 10 yrs. I have held a number of credit cards in the UK from before I moved country...and until recently have been a perfect customer always paying far more than minimum and always on time.

I have also become self-employed about 6 yrs back. The current crisis in the economy has hit me very hard even though I own my own business.

I have been unable to make GBP payments for 4 months...I really am that tight right now.

In several cases I contacted the card issuers and they've worked through the problems with me and we have a fresh agreement...and suspended interest etc.

In ONE case however they could not have been ruder and less helpful. I can only call their behaviour harassment.

Whilst a man of my word and I am happy to pay the others off in time... these w*nkers at M**A are terrible.

Todays threatening letter, send via my elderly Mothers home in UK talks of legal action, CCJ's, Bailiffs etc etc.

My question is this.... I am no longer UK resident. I have no money in the UK, I own no assets in the UK and I have no intention of living in the UK again.

What, in reality, can they do if I chose to ignore them and stuff their debt?

What, in reality, can they do if I chose to ignore them and stuff their debt?

I am pretty sure there is nothing they can do. The ball is I believe firmly in your court.

Perhaps but I bet they will continue to send letters to your mum and perhaps phone too if thats the number they hold.

What, in reality, can they do if I chose to ignore them and stuff their debt? Put the interest rates up for those still in this country because other people default?

I believe debt collection is global these days, they may sell the debt to a local collector in your country and they may take it from there?

The UK has reciprical agreements with Canada and Germany - no other countries so you cannot get assets in another country taken or frozen and they cannot use that countries legal system to get to you.

I would contact MBNA with a change of address (take this under advisement with nationaldebtline)
Just to make sure that if they do try to get a CCJ that bailiffs do not show up at your mothers house and try to take her goods or harass her.

If possible, you may be able to make a settlement offer - but unless you intend returning to the UK to live or are in Canada or Germany, there is nothing they can really do.

Even though some of these companies are multinational i believe (which is why you should contact nationaldebtline) as this debt is governed by English/Scottish law, they would still need to go through the law of that land and would be restricted to debt collection in that area.

I used to live in a student accommodation, rented privately. We received so many letters about defaults and it was court, debt collector etc etc letter to 3-4 different person (previous tenant) about their loan, credit card, and bank overdrafts. Nobody care about it after they keep sending these letter for 3-6 months, then West Midlands Inspector, debt collector comes and we said we're just a student and believe that guy was previous tenant and he just leave without anymore question. Then, no more letter or visit from them anymore.

The only thing that your mom could do is: "I doesn't know this person!" if you decide not to pay them.

Thanks all who answered.

I suspect I will go ahead and pay them (assuming I am able to through the course of the next few months...business is picking up a little).

I have to say it's been the attitude of M**A versus all the other guys that has really gotten my heckles up. BTW they are STILL harassing my Mother.

It's good to know I could stick the middle finger up at them if so inclined!

I had a similar issue and actually found MBNA the most helpful. I agreed a 3 month min payment and after that they wiped nearly 1000 in arrears. Like you I was abroad and thought abouit walking away from the debt, but decided to return to UK and front up to it. I found I still got calls from them even after I had agreed my 3 month term but I politely requested they ''read their notes''' before continuing with the call and they were generally ok. I think its who you get on the day.