finance debt

[anayahjayne]

Since I split from my wife and got divorced there is still an amount bowing to a high street bank on an account that has been stopped becuae it went into an un authorised overdraft (under 2000).The bank chased me for the amount in full for about 6 months.I explained that the debt was between both of us and would my half.They refused that offer and explained that the the other joint account holder(my ex) was not on the account anymore.I explained that it was not possible to take yourself off the account without consent.Anyway they still demanded the full amount.After about 6 months they passed it on to a credit agency.I explained them as above.They still would not accept that.This has gone on for approx 5 years through variuos different credit agenicies.I do not correspond anymore and havnt done for about 3 years.I have not recieved anything for approx 8 months.Would do you advise i can do.

[41cloud41]

http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Melancholy-Trut h.184833

Try to look at that!

[bednobs]

Pay it. Its your debt (even if it is a "joint" debt, they can still chase you alone for it) it will never just "go away". It's hard to remember so far down the line but that money actually belongs to someone else., and you had the benefit of spending the money, so you should pay it back

[anayahjayne]

No money was actually spent.Interest accuired over an 8 month period on an unauthorised overdraft of 200.Its all interest.Evnetually the stopped/closed the account.The debt remains.

[anayahjayne]

Also why dont they chase the other person on the account?They have left them alone.I was willing to pay my half share I think that is very fair.

[Ethel]

A joint account does not mean you own half each -whether it is debt or credit. It means you are both entitled to and responsible for the whole.

I don't know why they aren't chasing your ex - is she on benefits?

[Oneeyedvic]

When you take out the money you borrow it 'jointly and severally'. - this means that if one person doesn't pay back the money, the other person is responsible for the full amount.

You can try making them an offer for full and final settlement of the debt - they may agree to take �1000.

[Lindylou]

This has been ongoing for five years? This means that the debt has been 'sold on' to various collection agencies. You don't own them anything. The original debt was to the bank and they've given up on collecting it and sold it on to the various agencies. See my other answer re deceased credit card debt. The agencies will continue to chase you as long as you reply/try to negotiate with them. Don't they know there's a credit crunch? Tell 'em to go away. Or, better yet, totally ignore them. If they knock your door tell them you don't know what they're taking about. They will eventually give up. Don't forget, they are all insured for bad debt. In fact, they get tax relief on it! I hate the fact that these companies harass people - you can't get blood out of a stone.....

[NiceCupOfTea]

But still they continue to harrass.....

Contact the CAB (that seems to be all I advise people to do these days on here). You are both liable for the account debt. Why can't they contact her? Not that I blame her for not responding, but I was just wondering. I know you said it started at �200, but what's the actual amount they're chasing now?

[Oneeyedvic]

Yes, see Lindylou's other post regarding the deceased's credit card debt to show that she knows nothing about the law and is giving advice that could get someone sent to jail for a criminal offence.