Debts covered by the five-year prescription period
Most unsecured debts are covered by the five-year rule. These include (but are not limited to):
•credit cards;
•personal loans;
•store cards;
•overdrafts;
•catalogues;
•payday loans;
•rent arrears;
•benefit overpayments owed to Social Security Scotland.1Not all benefit overpayments owed are covered by the five-year period, including DWP overpayments. See the section on overpayments for more information.