Debts of previous householder.
Discussion
Morning,
Sorry for the long post.
I purchased my current house 4 years ago. Since day 1, I received various mail for the previous occupant. I returned all mail to the sender with "not known at this address" (I don't have a forwarding address). I then had a visit from a debt enforcement officer who was chasing a debt for a large bank. He left after he discovered the person no longer lived at my address. Since then, I have received numerous letters from various banks and financial lenders (I open all mail addressed to the previous occupant as I suspect fraudulent activity). All of these banks/firms have stopped all correspondence to my address since I have informed them he no longer lives there. Apart from one..... this bank will not accept that he no longer lives there as they state only the account holder can change the address linked to the account. They have put a trace on the individual which consisted of them writing to my address and asking the previous occupant to update their address details!
They send me regular bank statements and letters chasing up the debts (about £60k). They have sent debt recovery to my address several times and continue to send threatening letters.
I have made a formal complaint on the basis that:
They are sharing confidential 3rd party info.
They are causing me alarm and distress
They are supporting financial fraud (as they've authorised subsequent loans to the previous occupant although I have informed them that he does not live here.).
Any ideas how I get the bank off my back? It's been 4 years now and I've had enough.
Cheers.
Sorry for the long post.
I purchased my current house 4 years ago. Since day 1, I received various mail for the previous occupant. I returned all mail to the sender with "not known at this address" (I don't have a forwarding address). I then had a visit from a debt enforcement officer who was chasing a debt for a large bank. He left after he discovered the person no longer lived at my address. Since then, I have received numerous letters from various banks and financial lenders (I open all mail addressed to the previous occupant as I suspect fraudulent activity). All of these banks/firms have stopped all correspondence to my address since I have informed them he no longer lives there. Apart from one..... this bank will not accept that he no longer lives there as they state only the account holder can change the address linked to the account. They have put a trace on the individual which consisted of them writing to my address and asking the previous occupant to update their address details!
They send me regular bank statements and letters chasing up the debts (about £60k). They have sent debt recovery to my address several times and continue to send threatening letters.
I have made a formal complaint on the basis that:
They are sharing confidential 3rd party info.
They are causing me alarm and distress
They are supporting financial fraud (as they've authorised subsequent loans to the previous occupant although I have informed them that he does not live here.).
Any ideas how I get the bank off my back? It's been 4 years now and I've had enough.
Cheers.
I had the same, but they were high court bailiffs, after proving who I was (well actually my partner as they were after a lady), they actually phoned the court and had them change the details then and there and it was the end of it ( I know it wasn't the court, but I guess their office / admin).
Any chance you can go directly to the debt recovery company? As if the bank have sold the debt off they won't be interested?
Good luck, it took a while but we sorted it in the end!
I actually signed dup for Twitter and posted direct to a Scottish Power when I had a similar issue with them, have you tried that? (just thinking if it is a big / well known bank).
Any chance you can go directly to the debt recovery company? As if the bank have sold the debt off they won't be interested?
Good luck, it took a while but we sorted it in the end!
I actually signed dup for Twitter and posted direct to a Scottish Power when I had a similar issue with them, have you tried that? (just thinking if it is a big / well known bank).
Lord.Vader said:
I had the same, but they were high court bailiffs, after proving who I was (well actually my partner as they were after a lady), they actually phoned the court and had them change the details then and there and it was the end of it ( I know it wasn't the court, but I guess their office / admin).
Any chance you can go directly to the debt recovery company? As if the bank have sold the debt off they won't be interested?
Good luck, it took a while but we sorted it in the end!
I actually signed dup for Twitter and posted direct to a Scottish Power when I had a similar issue with them, have you tried that? (just thinking if it is a big / well known bank).
Thanks for your reply. The debt recovery folks have been pretty good. It's the bank that's the problem. Bank sends debt recovery -> they go back to bank to say he doesn't live here -> bank sends more threatening letters -> Bank sends debt recovery....rinse and repeat!Any chance you can go directly to the debt recovery company? As if the bank have sold the debt off they won't be interested?
Good luck, it took a while but we sorted it in the end!
I actually signed dup for Twitter and posted direct to a Scottish Power when I had a similar issue with them, have you tried that? (just thinking if it is a big / well known bank).
Council and other banks have backed off. This one won't.
Do they have social media? as much as I despise it, I couldn't fault the access / priority it gave my issue with SP, I ended getting the whole debt written off and an apology from their CEO office.
This was after spending 2 years trying to deal with it (I had left the house / country).
Might be worth a try, as I say if they have asocial media presence, no-one likes bad publicity!
This was after spending 2 years trying to deal with it (I had left the house / country).
Might be worth a try, as I say if they have asocial media presence, no-one likes bad publicity!
chili1 said:
Morning,
Sorry for the long post.
I purchased my current house 4 years ago. Since day 1, I received various mail for the previous occupant. I returned all mail to the sender with "not known at this address" (I don't have a forwarding address). I then had a visit from a debt enforcement officer who was chasing a debt for a large bank. He left after he discovered the person no longer lived at my address. Since then, I have received numerous letters from various banks and financial lenders (I open all mail addressed to the previous occupant as I suspect fraudulent activity). All of these banks/firms have stopped all correspondence to my address since I have informed them he no longer lives there. Apart from one..... this bank will not accept that he no longer lives there as they state only the account holder can change the address linked to the account. They have put a trace on the individual which consisted of them writing to my address and asking the previous occupant to update their address details!
They send me regular bank statements and letters chasing up the debts (about £60k). They have sent debt recovery to my address several times and continue to send threatening letters.
I have made a formal complaint on the basis that:
They are sharing confidential 3rd party info.
They are causing me alarm and distress
They are supporting financial fraud (as they've authorised subsequent loans to the previous occupant although I have informed them that he does not live here.).
Any ideas how I get the bank off my back? It's been 4 years now and I've had enough.
Cheers.
Apologies if this is already mentioned as I haven't read past your post but,Sorry for the long post.
I purchased my current house 4 years ago. Since day 1, I received various mail for the previous occupant. I returned all mail to the sender with "not known at this address" (I don't have a forwarding address). I then had a visit from a debt enforcement officer who was chasing a debt for a large bank. He left after he discovered the person no longer lived at my address. Since then, I have received numerous letters from various banks and financial lenders (I open all mail addressed to the previous occupant as I suspect fraudulent activity). All of these banks/firms have stopped all correspondence to my address since I have informed them he no longer lives there. Apart from one..... this bank will not accept that he no longer lives there as they state only the account holder can change the address linked to the account. They have put a trace on the individual which consisted of them writing to my address and asking the previous occupant to update their address details!
They send me regular bank statements and letters chasing up the debts (about £60k). They have sent debt recovery to my address several times and continue to send threatening letters.
I have made a formal complaint on the basis that:
They are sharing confidential 3rd party info.
They are causing me alarm and distress
They are supporting financial fraud (as they've authorised subsequent loans to the previous occupant although I have informed them that he does not live here.).
Any ideas how I get the bank off my back? It's been 4 years now and I've had enough.
Cheers.
Get your £2.50 (or whatever it is these days) credit files from Equifax and Experian - you'll need to look for them usually as their websites will be trying to sell you more expensive cr4p. When they arrive in the post, look through and identify any financial links that aren't relating to you, including property ones. Request them to be removed in writing to Equifax/Experian and that should clear matters for you.
Thanks for all the replies.
I haven't tried social media - that will be my next step.
I've threatened legal action - they basically said "bring it on". I suspect that their pockets are deeper than mine!
The previous occupier also told the council that I owned the house and he was just renting when he lived there. Council chased me for 3 years of council tax. Sums up the previous occupier really!!
I haven't tried social media - that will be my next step.
I've threatened legal action - they basically said "bring it on". I suspect that their pockets are deeper than mine!
The previous occupier also told the council that I owned the house and he was just renting when he lived there. Council chased me for 3 years of council tax. Sums up the previous occupier really!!
Seriously, try the credit file route first. You get to deal with them rather than the bank directly. If they write back and outline why they don't feel they can/will remove the link you can re-state your case and they will listen. As the credit reference agency they are the arbiters.
Been there and done it myself many years ago after someone falsely associated themselves with my address to get appliances and mobile phones etc on credit.
Been there and done it myself many years ago after someone falsely associated themselves with my address to get appliances and mobile phones etc on credit.
akirk said:
Pile it into an envelope - send it to the CEO's office with a stern letter to sort it out before you go legal...
all you need to do it find someone with a brain...
..with a copy of Land Registry details of ownership (that will cost you a few pounds) invoice them. all you need to do it find someone with a brain...
Is there no way the original court order can be overturned with regards to your address. Ombudsperson?
Pica-Pica said:
..with a copy of Land Registry details of ownership (that will cost you a few pounds) invoice them.
Is there no way the original court order can be overturned with regards to your address. Ombudsperson?
Copy of Solicitor's/Conveyancer's bill might be cheaper if you still have the original.Is there no way the original court order can be overturned with regards to your address. Ombudsperson?
Have you considered that perhaps someone has given a false address and then intercepted your mail in order to create a false financial persona (as it were)?
Have you asked neighbours if they know of this person?
I had threatening letters a few years ago, but was over a £300 debt from the owner before the previous owners, nearly 10 years after they'd moved out. You'd think they'd be able to trace them via the electoral register........
Have you asked neighbours if they know of this person?
I had threatening letters a few years ago, but was over a £300 debt from the owner before the previous owners, nearly 10 years after they'd moved out. You'd think they'd be able to trace them via the electoral register........
Can the financial ombudsman help
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/
"We were set up by Parliament to sort out complaints between financial businesses and their customers. We can help with most financial services – including banking, insurance, PPI, loans, mortgages, pensions and investments. If something’s gone wrong, we have the power to put it right."
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/
"We were set up by Parliament to sort out complaints between financial businesses and their customers. We can help with most financial services – including banking, insurance, PPI, loans, mortgages, pensions and investments. If something’s gone wrong, we have the power to put it right."
lyonspride said:
Have you considered that perhaps someone has given a false address and then intercepted your mail in order to create a false financial persona (as it were)?
Have you asked neighbours if they know of this person?
I had threatening letters a few years ago, but was over a £300 debt from the owner before the previous owners, nearly 10 years after they'd moved out. You'd think they'd be able to trace them via the electoral register........
It's definitely the previous owner. I didn't realise what a crook he was until after we moved in. He owed thousands in utilities, bank loans, council tax, car loans, mortgage etc. Utilities and council tax he tried to pin on me. He wrecked the 3 year old house before he left (was fine when we viewed) by flooding bathrooms, throwing used cooking oil over the kitchen and putting holes in walls and ceilings, poured used engine oil over driveway, put huge dent in garage door plus loads more. By all accounts he returned to his country of birth, changed his name and then came back.Have you asked neighbours if they know of this person?
I had threatening letters a few years ago, but was over a £300 debt from the owner before the previous owners, nearly 10 years after they'd moved out. You'd think they'd be able to trace them via the electoral register........
xx99xx said:
If you go down the GDPR route, bear in mind they may come back at you and say it's illegal to open mail that isn't addressed to you.
They've already tried that.My response was:
Its reasonable to assume that any mail delivered to my house is intended for me.
As I suspect fraud, I need to open it to find out who to contact.
chili1 said:
It's definitely the previous owner. I didn't realise what a crook he was until after we moved in. He owed thousands in utilities, bank loans, council tax, car loans, mortgage etc. Utilities and council tax he tried to pin on me. He wrecked the 3 year old house before he left (was fine when we viewed) by flooding bathrooms, throwing used cooking oil over the kitchen and putting holes in walls and ceilings, poured used engine oil over driveway, put huge dent in garage door plus loads more. By all accounts he returned to his country of birth, changed his name and then came back.
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