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Using an ATM card in another country shows us how easy it is to get information from a UK account abroad. If we can do this so simply, what other information is able to zip round world almost instantaneously?
Having resources to trace a debtor or having agreements with other countries, or even possibility of selling debt to an agency in appropriate country does not automatically mean that a creditor will be successful in tracing a debtor. In some cases, people do get away with it. A creditor has a period of 6 years from last time a person acknowledged a debt to use legal system to recover monies. However, if a creditor has taken legal action on an account, debt can be legally recoverable indefinitely. This means that someone could start a new life abroad and work hard for assets they accumulated, only to find a few years down line that a creditor has traced them! Everything they have worked for is put at risk and could be taken from them to repay their debt.
What are Options?
Many people who move abroad to escape their debts may not be aware of free financial help available. They do not even need to telephone UK, as there is free advice and help available on web. Just a quick email can put someone’s mind at rest and make them realise they are not alone.
There are companies such as FCL Debt Clinic (http://www.debtclinic.co.uk) who offer free financial assessment and advice. FCL can also refer clients to a Debt Management Company who charge no fees and can help negotiate affordable monthly repayments on their clients’ behalf by setting up repayment plans with their creditors. Anyone with a UK bank account or use of one for transferring money, with UK debts, can be helped. This way, ever-present worry of whether a debt is still around is no longer there to haunt you.
Nicola Bullimore has worked with people with debt problems for some years. For more information regarding debt issues, please visit www.debtquestions.co.uk