Question for professionals on behalf of my sister

[elizabethr]

My sisters son moved to Thailand a few years ago and just this year has married - he may want to come back home to start a family. This is the scenario: He was registered at my sister's house (his mum). He left this country owing quite a lot to various cards and loans. My sister has just kept returning his post saying not at this address and she doesn't know where he is. She opened one last week (RBS) so wrote to them saying he does not live her anymore now she has a letter from a debt agency on behalf of RBS saying they will send doorstep collector. She is mortified to think they will arrive on her doorstep. She thinks her son may want to come back home but is worried what his situation will be for getting mortgage etc. Will he have to own up to his situation or would the creditors have written off as bad debts. I could post more details if necessary - my sister doesn't want to come on the forum.

[kallis3]

Hi Elizabeth, I am not an expert, but I would hazard a guess that your nephews credit rating is not good. Unless he has kept up with his payments on any of them, I would say that they would all be in default.

I would not worry about debt collectors calling, it is my experience that they never turn up (I was threatened with a few). Even if someone turned up, she should not enter into conversation with them.

If he does come back home, he will have to sort his finances out.

[Viki.W]

Hey Elizabeth, how awful for your sister. I rememeber a long time ago when I worked in the bank, if the letter was opened as opposed to a sealed envelope with "not at this address" coming back, then they will try and re claim the debt. It really depends on the amount of debt whether they will write it off. I, myself, had the authority to write debts of under £1000 off, someone higher than me a bit more etc, etc.

He really needs to sort this out as it must be stressful for your sister.

Maybe the experts can help.

Viki X

[TheMatrix]

How awful, It sounds like they are trying it on, or believe your nephew still lives with your sister.

All good advice about not entering into any discussions on the doorstep, and certainly do not let them into the property. Tell them you will only discuss the matter in writing.

[MelanieGiles]

I think that your sister would be far better off by explaining the circumstnaces to the creditors concerned. If these are relatively small amounts, then I cannot see debt collectors paying to go to Thailand and the debts will most likely be written off.

[elizabethr]

I am not sure on all the debts but I think the one she has responded to is about £9000. I will ask more. Melanie - whilst I am on - I have just said on another thread that I have a letter from Mercers for Barclaycard - I spoke to your office and agreed that I would send them "the" letter as I have done to Barclaycard but it says I need to pay by 7th June or ring them. Am I letting myself in for more trouble if I phone and have a bad conversation or ignoring it because things are being dealt with and hope "the" letter filters through.

[MelanieGiles]

No Elizabeth - we will deal with that letter for you, so don't worry about it any more.

[Beans on Toast]

Would Elizabeths' sister be able to disassociate her address from these debts? I would have thought her address would now be black listed for credit.

[Shining]

Worrying for your sister, my son (eldest) did a similar thing, with a couple of small debts, he moved to Manchester in 2005 and to this day we still get letters for him, I return this unopened and write on a label attached to their letter, check the electoral roll etc., as he hasn't lived with me since 2005! I don't know his address, do know his phone number but never disclose it to them.