Credit card debt, now living in Australia, please help

oxfordkaty · Newbie Joined: Sep 17, 2009 Posts: 6

Hello all,

I have a credit card debt of £2k in the UK. I now live in Australia and I can't (not wont) pay it. They have contacted me via email and I need to know what to reply to them.

They do not have my current address. I was wondering if I reply to say that I cannot pay, no longer in the UK and offer a nominal sum in good faith (£100) they will accept it? Or is that just way too simple.

Please please could somebody give me advice. This is keeping me awake at night. I know the moral stance and feel bad enough already, I need some debt advice please.

My husband knows nothing of this and if he did it would be the end of our marriage.

Many thanks,
Katy

nobby66

Hello Katy

Welcome to the Auz section of expatfocus.

There are quite a few posts on here regarding UK debt (considerably larger than yours) so you are not alone and you certainly do not want to lose sleep over it. If you use the search function on the left you will find them.

With regards to your debt I am no expert but my understanding is that there is no legal agreement between the UK and Australia for collection of credit card debt. The UK Consumer Credit Act stipulates that any legal enforcement of such debts may only be pursued through courts in England and Wales.

So in short apart from a little mind games there is very little they can do so don't stress about it. Without getting into the moral argument I know of people who have contacted their debtors and regretted it, whilst others have done nothing and heard nothing.

So relax a little, sleep better and keep enjoying your new life.

Hope that helps
Nobby