Receiving parking payment demand letters for previous owner
Discussion
Over the past 4 months or so, we have been receiving parking payment demand letters for a previous (home) owner.
We initially marked the first couple as RTS and posted them back, ignored the next couple, but then opened one to see who was sending them, in order that we could contact the sender to tell them the intended recipient hasn't lived here for 7 years.
I duly contacted the collection agency concerned (by phone), told them the recipient no longer lives here and they acknowledged this - however the letters keep coming.
More recently, I emailed them and even provided evidence that the intended recipient no longer lives here, to which the collection agency replied with "we will get our legal team to find their new address".
However the most recent letter is a final demand (and this was visible from the front of the window envelope).
This is bordering on harassment.
I realise that this has no direct impact on us - however we are now expecting a potential visit from the collection agency.
What else can we do to stop this?
By the way - in our small block of flats, the letters are simply dropped through a letterbox and then sorted by whoever happens to pick up the post. The visibility of "FINAL DEMAND" in this window envelope is embarrassing.
We have also had a DVLA tax reminder for this previous owner - so clearly she has never changed the address with the DVLA.
We initially marked the first couple as RTS and posted them back, ignored the next couple, but then opened one to see who was sending them, in order that we could contact the sender to tell them the intended recipient hasn't lived here for 7 years.
I duly contacted the collection agency concerned (by phone), told them the recipient no longer lives here and they acknowledged this - however the letters keep coming.
More recently, I emailed them and even provided evidence that the intended recipient no longer lives here, to which the collection agency replied with "we will get our legal team to find their new address".
However the most recent letter is a final demand (and this was visible from the front of the window envelope).
This is bordering on harassment.
I realise that this has no direct impact on us - however we are now expecting a potential visit from the collection agency.
What else can we do to stop this?
By the way - in our small block of flats, the letters are simply dropped through a letterbox and then sorted by whoever happens to pick up the post. The visibility of "FINAL DEMAND" in this window envelope is embarrassing.
We have also had a DVLA tax reminder for this previous owner - so clearly she has never changed the address with the DVLA.
Just a thought, they are probably going through this, so they can put a case in court, in full knowledge that it will be undefended as the actual owner never received them, and they will get a default judgement.
At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
Countdown said:
I'd just bin them if I were you.
AIUI the chances of them taking you to Court are slim (even if you WERE the guilty party).
They'd have no case against me anyway, as the person the letters are intended for no longer lives here (and hasn't for 7 years).AIUI the chances of them taking you to Court are slim (even if you WERE the guilty party).
BertBert said:
Just bin them. I did that for 6 years renting a flat. Not worth the effort of trying more to get them stopped in my view.
It's not that embarrassing surely?
It's slightly embarrassing to see letters emblazoned with "FINAL DEMAND" (or words to that effect) addressed to my address (but not my name) for all to see on our post table in the foyer.It's not that embarrassing surely?
From now on, the letters will just be binned - I had just wondered if there was anything further I could do, to stop them being sent here.
Might be some useful info here although it is reliant on knowing what the debt is for it seems.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/a...
If you do know who the debt is owed to I would contact them and go straight to complaint with them.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/a...
If you do know who the debt is owed to I would contact them and go straight to complaint with them.
Dingu said:
Might be some useful info here although it is reliant on knowing what the debt is for it seems.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/a...
If you do know who the debt is owed to I would contact them and go straight to complaint with them.
Not relevant. The OP isn't being hounded by bailiffs. They are being hounded by the subhuman pondlife scum which go by the name "Debt Collection Agencies". They have virtually no power. The OP can rejoice in the fact that every letter costs the DCA money to send and he just has to file them in "B for bin".https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/a...
If you do know who the debt is owed to I would contact them and go straight to complaint with them.
matchmaker said:
Not relevant. The OP isn't being hounded by bailiffs. They are being hounded by the subhuman pondlife scum which go by the name "Debt Collection Agencies". They have virtually no power. The OP can rejoice in the fact that every letter costs the DCA money to send and he just has to file them in "B for bin".
The point about complaining to the original company stands. It’s their company they’ve set loose. If they are in a regulated industry you can’t just sell debt to any old cowboys and wash your hands of it. I had letters sent to number 7 due to error by the PPC no 27.
The person at 7 marked them not known at this address, the PPC do no checks and ignore.
Wasn't until the costs had escalated from £25/50 to £114 they passed it to a debt collector, they found the address error.
The still wont back down!
The person at 7 marked them not known at this address, the PPC do no checks and ignore.
Wasn't until the costs had escalated from £25/50 to £114 they passed it to a debt collector, they found the address error.
The still wont back down!
I had similar, except the reason I was getting the letters wasn't my address but rather because I've got an uncommon surname so they must have decided I was the same person. I bet this doesn't happen to people called Smith...
Acting in good faith, I thought a quick phonecall would sort it; first problem was their number was 0898 OWE DOSH or similar, and when I rang they refused to give me non-premium rate number. Second problem was they start asking for your personal info. So, so much nope from me and I hung up.
The only way to make it stop was a template letter (I think from MSE or similar) explaining "This is nothing to do with me. Now stop sending letters here, y'dick".
I realise that they must spend at least some of their time dealing with shysters who are trying to hide from their debts, but they should realise they are spending at least some of their time dealing with innocent folk who have nothing to do with it.
Acting in good faith, I thought a quick phonecall would sort it; first problem was their number was 0898 OWE DOSH or similar, and when I rang they refused to give me non-premium rate number. Second problem was they start asking for your personal info. So, so much nope from me and I hung up.
The only way to make it stop was a template letter (I think from MSE or similar) explaining "This is nothing to do with me. Now stop sending letters here, y'dick".
I realise that they must spend at least some of their time dealing with shysters who are trying to hide from their debts, but they should realise they are spending at least some of their time dealing with innocent folk who have nothing to do with it.
The guy who lived in our house before we moved in had so many open parking tickets, speeding fines, credit card debt etc etc. We returned the envelopes marked 'not known at this address' for 6 months then started binning them. Eventually the debt collectors showed up, I showed my driving licence and council tax bill and they went away never to be heard from again but it took a few years for everything to stop.
donkmeister said:
Acting in good faith, I thought a quick phonecall would sort it; first problem was their number was 0898 OWE DOSH or similar, and when I rang they refused to give me non-premium rate number.
https://www.saynoto0870.com/Since you have informed them no need to do anything else just bin them. No one will turn up to your door unless they go to court and get judgement. Even then they can only collect off the debtor not you.
Only if the envelope is from the court. This will be very clear from the envelope. Then open it and phone or email the court and say its the wrong address and you have informed the creditor.
Only if the envelope is from the court. This will be very clear from the envelope. Then open it and phone or email the court and say its the wrong address and you have informed the creditor.
HiAsAKite said:
Just a thought, they are probably going through this, so they can put a case in court, in full knowledge that it will be undefended as the actual owner never received them, and they will get a default judgement.
At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
The story is they don't do anything, they wait until the person gets refused credit due to an outstanding CCJ. Ideally (for the parking firm) it's a mortgage and then the person can't settle the CCJ fast enough.At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
Sheepshanks said:
HiAsAKite said:
Just a thought, they are probably going through this, so they can put a case in court, in full knowledge that it will be undefended as the actual owner never received them, and they will get a default judgement.
At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
The story is they don't do anything, they wait until the person gets refused credit due to an outstanding CCJ. Ideally (for the parking firm) it's a mortgage and then the person can't settle the CCJ fast enough.At which point they will then try to actually track down the individual and enforce the judgement they already have (or scare thowner into submisiion by virtue of having the judgement)..
Hence possibly why OP is getting these after years at the property
Automaton said:
Would this not potentially impact the OPs credit rating? Guilty by wrongly assumed association.
No. This is pub lore - much like No MOT = No Insurance. Decades ago credit files were much more limited and lenders may have seen defaults at certain addresses. These days your individual credir record is yours only. Let's say we both rent a room in a shared house and I have poor credit and CCJs. You on the other hand have a perfect record - you can still go out and get loans or a shiny new car. We therefore have no financial association.
The only impact I may have on you is the amount of debt letters I receive and the possiblity of debt collectors turning up at the door. There is the very small chance that the address may have a National Hunter marker because of past fraud etc, but that just means the Creditor should apply manual diligence in approving a loan for you.
A search of 192.com reveals that the previous owner has never changed their address.
They are still registered at our (their old) address (as per the electoral roll) - and as far as I know, when you move to a new area and register there, you are automatically unregistered from your previous address.
I guess it's entirely possible this process has failed - however I'm unable to locate them in any other district nearby, and I believe they are resident in an adjacent city (in the same county).
If they are attempting to avoid something, then I suppose we can expect more letters in the future.
They are still registered at our (their old) address (as per the electoral roll) - and as far as I know, when you move to a new area and register there, you are automatically unregistered from your previous address.
I guess it's entirely possible this process has failed - however I'm unable to locate them in any other district nearby, and I believe they are resident in an adjacent city (in the same county).
If they are attempting to avoid something, then I suppose we can expect more letters in the future.
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