Debt collectors looking for someone else

[fly]

We moved into our house a year ago and keep getting debt collectors at the door, asking to speak to the previous owner of the house.
They seem to come in waves - nothing for several months then multiple visits in a month.

It's always the same debt collection company. We've told them every time that the person they're looking for doesn't live here. The house sale records are all registered and they can even see with about 1 minute of Googling that websites like Zoopla show it was sold.

It's the same every time... They ask for his new address, which we don't have. Then they ask for the details of the estate agent, which we give them. Then they come back a few weeks later and ask the same again.

We've asked the company to stop every time and have gotten increasingly irate with them, but every time we think they've stopped we end up getting another visit after a couple of months.

Is there any way to stop this, or do we just have to put up with it?

[ZedLeg]

Find out if they bought the debt they’re trying to collect or if they’re working on behalf of the original company owed. If it’s the latter then you should be able to clear it up by getting in touch with that company directly.

[alscar]

Yup they need to tell you on behalf of whom they are chasing the debt - bit surprised you've not had any paperwork though ?
Then when armed with that email both their offices ( either via MD or Complaints dept etc ) and take from there.

[Countdown]

ZedLeg said:

Find out if they bought the debt they’re trying to collect or if they’re working on behalf of the original company owed. If it’s the latter then you should be able to clear it up by getting in touch with that company directly.

You would hope so, however............

When we moved into our first place about 20 years ago we started getting debt-chasing letters. So, trying to be helpful I phoned them up and told them the person no longer lived there. I also told them I was pretty sure the guy used to live next door (and not at MY house) and in any case I thought he had moved away (possibly to prison). For some weird reason the person on the phone assumed that I was the debtor and started giving me the 3rd degree. i got quite annoyed to the point I may have sworn and put the phone down. I'd only called trying to be helpful and i was being accused of being a liar....

In hindsight I suppose they get lots of people ringing them up to tell them the debtor no longer lives there so maybe they're right to be suspicious.

[Carlososos]

Countdown said:

ZedLeg said:

Find out if they bought the debt they’re trying to collect or if they’re working on behalf of the original company owed. If it’s the latter then you should be able to clear it up by getting in touch with that company directly.

You would hope so, however............

When we moved into our first place about 20 years ago we started getting debt-chasing letters. So, trying to be helpful I phoned them up and told them the person no longer lived there. I also told them I was pretty sure the guy used to live next door (and not at MY house) and in any case I thought he had moved away (possibly to prison). For some weird reason the person on the phone assumed that I was the debtor and started giving me the 3rd degree. i got quite annoyed to the point I may have sworn and put the phone down. I'd only called trying to be helpful and i was being accused of being a liar....

In hindsight I suppose they get lots of people ringing them up to tell them the debtor no longer lives there so maybe they're right to be suspicious.

Damned if you damned if you don’t.

[Simpo Two]

Countdown said:

In hindsight I suppose they get lots of people ringing them up to tell them the debtor no longer lives there so maybe they're right to be suspicious.

It's the #1 stock answer for debtors trying to evade paying. Hence why saying 'Sorry he doesn't live here anymore' has no effect.

Had one who used her maiden name to pretend she was somebody else. A copy of the marriage certificate fixed that

[DonkeyApple]

As far as I am aware, All debt collection agencies are legally required to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA),

Look the company up on the FCA Register and lodge a harassment complaint directly with the registered Compliance Officer.

At the moment you'll be dealing with the main business which will be being told all the time that the target no longer lives there etc and simply ignore such wild and fanciful claims.

However, once you start dealing with the regulated element of the business it'll be a different kettle of fish.

Email to Compliance officer, offer them 10 business days to confirm in writing that they will desist from harassing your family in your home before you lodge a formal complaint with the Ombudsman and commence seeing reparations for distress.

The side you're currently dealing with does not car about you and will be assuming that you're a liar. The side you need to deal with is the one that still doesn't care about you but wants to swerve hassle.

[Edible Roadkill]

Start to invoice them for time wasted and then when they don’t pay sell to a collection agent. See how they like it

[Simpo Two]

Edible Roadkill said:

Start to invoice them for time wasted and then when they don’t pay sell to a collection agent. See how they like it

I actually did that once! I told the monkeys I'd charge them £25 for each reply. They sent two more letters and I replied to both, then sent them an invoice for £50. I almost fell off my chair when a cheque for £50 arrived. Winner winner chicken dinner

[L1OFF]

I used to get this a lot and all about the same person evading train fares and giving the address I lived at (rented flat between house purchases). Just used to tell them doesn't he live here and none of my neighbours had heard the name. They wanted me to prove he didn't I just told them to bugger off I cant be bothered, they stopped calling shortly after that.