You have not heard from Lowell in years, and now a letter has landed about a debt you thought was long gone.
Straight answer: Check the dates before you pay or reply. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a debt is statute barred after six years, which means a court cannot enforce it. In Scotland it is five years and the debt is written off. A payment or a signed letter that does not dispute the debt can restart the clock.
Based on StepChange. This covers the UK, with Scotland flagged where it differs. Statute barred means the debt is too old for the creditor to enforce through the courts.
What the clock counts from
The six years do not run from the day the debt was sold to Lowell. StepChange says the period runs from the latest of three dates: your last written acknowledgement of the debt, your last payment, or the earliest date the creditor could have started court action, which is usually when the account defaulted (StepChange). Selling the debt on is not on that list.
Joint debts and debt management plans catch people out. A payment by either person on a joint debt counts, and so do payments made through a debt management company (StepChange). Dig out old bank statements and your credit file before you answer anything.
The reply that restarts it
StepChange says a signed letter or email that does not dispute the debt can count as an acknowledgement (StepChange). A letter that disputes the debt, or asks for proof of it, does not. So a friendly “I will sort this out soon” is riskier than a plain request for evidence.
What Lowell can and cannot do
For FCA-regulated consumer credit, StepChange says a barred debt cannot be enforced: no CCJ, no bankruptcy, and nothing more to chase if you pay. The debt may still show on your credit file (StepChange). Some debts are never barred in this way, such as mortgage shortfalls, HMRC debts and debts already covered by a court judgment (StepChange).
If the debt is barred and you are being contacted, StepChange suggests writing to say you will not pay, asking them to stop contacting you, and asking them to prove the debt (StepChange). For the wider picture read how statute barred debt works and what to do when your debt is sold to Lowell.
Do not ignore court papers
A barred debt only protects you if you say so. StepChange says to complete and return any court forms and state that the debt is statute barred. The creditor must then prove it is not (StepChange). Staying silent on a claim form hands them an easy win. Compare what happens if you ignore Lowell.
Before you panic, read these
How long before a debt is statute barred?
StepChange says six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five years in Scotland, where it is called prescribed (StepChange).
Does a statute barred debt disappear?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the debt still exists but cannot be enforced by a court order. In Scotland, StepChange says a prescribed debt is written off and no longer exists by law (StepChange).
Can Lowell still contact me about it?
For FCA-regulated consumer credit such as cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogues, StepChange says the creditor cannot chase more if you pay, and cannot get a CCJ or make you bankrupt (StepChange). If they are still contacting you, our guide to your rights with debt collectors covers what to say.
What restarts the clock?
StepChange says the period runs from the latest of your last written acknowledgement, your last payment, or the earliest date the creditor could start court action. Payments through a debt management company count, and for joint debts a payment by either person counts (StepChange).
Does replying to Lowell count as acknowledging it?
It can. StepChange says a signed letter or email that does not dispute the debt can count, and you do not need to write ‘I accept this debt’. Letters the creditor sends you, and letters disputing the debt, do not count (StepChange). That is why you should not pay or admit anything until you have checked the dates.
Should I make a small payment to calm them down?
Not until you know the dates. StepChange advises starting payments only if the creditor can prove the debt is not barred (StepChange).
What if I get court papers for an old debt?
StepChange says do not ignore them. Return the forms and tell the court the debt is statute barred, and the creditor must then prove it is not. If they cannot, the claim should be dismissed (StepChange). See whether Lowell can take you to court.
Disclaimer: DebtShift is an educational platform operated by H Ali Logistics Ltd, which is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This article is general education, not financial or legal advice. For free, impartial debt advice, contact StepChange on 0800 138 1111.
Sources
Last reviewed October 2026
Read next
Free and occasional
Get plain-English debt help in your inbox
A few emails a month at most: practical debt tips and a heads-up when we launch a new free tool. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.