Help - old unpaid account

[DWPTA]

So my brother is in a spot of bother.

He had a Telkom account. Never paid it, this was back in 2002 or round about there.

He states that he never got account details saying he owe so much. Last month he got a lawyers letter saying he owe so much and need to repay it back.

With the new credit law what is the way to go? This account +/- 7 years old, it is not stated on his ITC that he owe's Telkom. What must he do?

 

[blunomore]

Surely the debt would have prescribed by now ... ? Unless they got judgment against him.

 

[Mila]

Surely the debt would have prescribed by now ... ? Unless they got judgment against him.

+10

how much is the bill?

 

[DWPTA]

I think it's about R5500, round about there.

 

[medicnick83]

How can they not state how much he owes Telkom... sounds funny!

 

[Bondizzo]

isn' t he in the wrong cause he didnt pay ?

 

[blunomore]

DWPTA, tell them they must prove it. Then sit back and wait.

 

[DWPTA]

Will tell him that, but it strange that they only send a letter after 7 years and it never reflected on ITC.

 

[SilverNodashi]

AFAIK, if it's a montly service, they should send him an invoice every month, and if the payment doesn't come through in the beginning, they should have taken action already. If my account is due for 5 days I get cut. So I find this very strange that they let him use the services for free, for 7 year, and only then demand payment.

 

[marco]

Don't worry about Telkom. They will not list you as they know that they stuff up. Also don't pay if you know you don't owe them. It will go away. Mine did.
Stay on prepaid.
When I moved to Cape Town from the NW I handed in my phone and paid my balance and told them to cut my line. New people moved in to my old house and used the phone and I was sent the bill. Their excuse was that they can't cut the line as it takes 1 month to do so.
Ha Ha. If you don't pay they cut it immediately.
I did not pay and heard nothing further.

 

[Frankie]

He states that he never got account details saying he owe so much.

Actually outstanding accounts don't just "go away" if ignored, as implied by some here.

The fact that you did not receive an account is no excuse for non-payment, and the outstanding amount will not magically reset to zero.
That overdue Telkom account will remain on your credit report with Experian and ITC (transunion.co.za) until resolved by settling the amount due.

 

[blunomore]

Everyone seems to be missing the point: I reiterate - unpaid bills from 2002 would have prescribed by now unless TELKOM issued summons and got judgment against him.

 

[Dark Agent]

Surely the debt would have prescribed by now ... ? Unless they got judgment against him.

Judgement stays 5 years... must be cleared

Me never pay telkom 3 months but luckily DSL is still on and using axxess

 

[marco]

NO JUDGEMENT. NO ITC LISTING. NO TRANSUNION LISTING. NO NOTHING. Have you guys been in my drinking my beer again?

I had the same. It has gone away. No listing, NOTHING!!

Google NCA and read the doc. They can't now after 7 years come with this. 5 Years max. Also they will not be able to give you a detailed bill which is required by law after all this time. Believe me. I have tried and tried and tried. They do not keep detailed records that long. So dump them.
Also, remember that your interest plus costs cannot be more than the initial debt. In other words, your final bill cannot be twice your initial amount owing.

 

[arf9999]

Actually outstanding accounts don't just "go away" if ignored, as implied by some here.

The fact that you did not receive an account is no excuse for non-payment, and the outstanding amount will not magically reset to zero.
That overdue Telkom account will remain on your credit report with Experian and ITC (transunion.co.za) until resolved by settling the amount due.

Nope. The debt is prescribed if Telkom has not made an attempt to claim it (i.e. by summons) within 3 years. Experian and ITC cannot keep such debts on your report.

 

[blunomore]

Nope. The debt is prescribed if Telkom has not made an attempt to claim it (i.e. by summons) within 3 years. Experian and ITC cannot keep such debts on your report.

That is what I said from the start. Sigh.