Credit cards - leave it all behind?

[Nigital Domad]

Anyone ever leave their home country behind for good,, and also leave behind their credit card debt? If you're starting a new life in a new land, and credit scores only stick with your name in the nation you opened them in, any reason not to leave it all behind (rather than pay it all off?) Asking for a friend

 

[polonieth]

You won't be the first to do it, nor will you be the last.

I'm not sure how I view it, but I can certainly see some validity in doing so if you've been messed around by the bank in question. For example, let's say you were a shareholder at a building society that was purposely mismanaged and nationalised, so your shares became worthless overnight. Then running off with a few quid after they f***ed you over seems fair game.

But just racking up debts and then leaving? Personal choice.

 

[JackAlabama]

Anyone ever leave their home country behind for good,, and also leave behind their credit card debt? If you're starting a new life in a new land, and credit scores only stick with your name in the nation you opened them in, any reason not to leave it all behind (rather than pay it all off?) Asking for a friend

well is it worth to do it? Mostly it isnt. Wouldnt do it for petty amounts.

 

[Nigital Domad]

Curious why you say it isn't (let's leave all moral / ethical issues aside for a moment).

 

[Oakgrove]

For one, you are only "ruining" it for everyone else, as the bank(s) where you had defaulted on your (credit card) loans will now be even more cautious in the future for subsequent applicants. While they may not be able to find you (anymore), depending on how big your debt is, they might find a collection agency motivated to find you. Got a unique enough name where they can Google you? Post in Facebook/Insta much? Gonna come back and visit your family/friends one of these days?

The same goes with back taxes by the way - some countries may blacklist you. Yes I know you're saying goodbye to the country, but as the saying goes, never say never.

 

[Clank]

This happens all the time, banks know it. It’s a risk they take.

 

[Nigital Domad]

Probably not worth doing in the end. Too much hassle. Was just curious if anyone had any experience actually doing the thing that I'm sure many of us "consider".