Strange Debt Collector experience
Discussion
TL:DR
The Debt Collector won’t tell me what the debt is about, but insists that I pay.
The full length version;
A month or so ago I received a text telling me to contact a certain company quoting a reference number. Not having a clue what it was about, and assuming it was a scam, I ignored it.
A couple of weeks later I received a bit of an arsey phone call demanding that I give the person on the other end of the phone a load of my personal details, starting with my full name. As I didn’t know what this was about I refused unless they told my the nature of their call, and they remained elusive, quoting GDPR regs, although eventually they did tell me the name of the company that they worked for. A quick Google search showed this to be a firm of debt collectors.
I phoned them back, explained that I didn’t owe anyone any money, (I genuinely do not), but I’d like to get to the bottom of this and asked them to write to me explaining what it was all about. The debt collectors told that they would do so.
A couple of weeks pass and I get another text saying that they had sent me an email regarding this matter. I left it an hour or so, checked all of my emails, including spam / junk files, and there was nothing there.
A few days later I receive another arsey phone call from this firm, threatening me with all sorts of legal action unless I provide them with my personal details. Again, I refuse, and calmly explain that I’d like to get to the bottom of this, so could they give me any clues whatsoever. Not certain figures, or company names, but even just to tell me if it’s in relation to a bank loan, a credit card, a catalog, or a HP agreement. Once again, they refuse quoting GDPR regs.
Once again, I ask them to write to me explaining how much is owed and to whom, and they tell me that the Courts will be doing so in the appropriate timescales.
But here’s the thing. Up until late 2017 I was ‘working away’, and had been for six years. Since 2017 I’ve had one bank loan for £8000, that was paid off on time and in full, and I have confirmation of that. I haven’t had any other form of credit, and all utilities / council tax are all up to date and my credit cards get zeroed to the nearest fiver each month.
Prior to 2017, I didn’t even have a bank account and had always relied on cash only.
I’m planning on applying for a mortgage toward the end of this year, so I’d like my credit checks to be squeaky clean.
I’ve just carried out an Experion and an Equifax credit checks, and they were both 992/999. Surely if I had bad credit, it would show up there?
Also, is there any legal obligation for a debt collector to tell you what a debt is about? I can understand them not doing so over the phone if you haven’t verified your identity first, but to refuse to write to me explaining the situation seems odd? Unless of course they don’t actually know my address?
So, short of giving this debt collection agency all of my personal details, (essentially doing their job for them), how can I go about finding out what all of this is about?
edited to add, I’ve just bought a brand new freezer, taking advantage of the 0% finance offer to ‘pay-in-3’, but only the first payment has been paid on that, with the other two payments not even reaching their due dates. Besides that, no other finance.
Also, the previous tenant of the property we are in was an Insta Model / porn star who racked up loads of debt whilst driving around in a green Lamborghini and getting loads of crappy plastic surgery. I wonder if this is anything to do with her, and I’ve caught the cold because I now live at the same address?
It’s a bit of a strange one, so thanks in advance for any advice, as it appears that I’m in a Catch22 situation.
The Debt Collector won’t tell me what the debt is about, but insists that I pay.
The full length version;
A month or so ago I received a text telling me to contact a certain company quoting a reference number. Not having a clue what it was about, and assuming it was a scam, I ignored it.
A couple of weeks later I received a bit of an arsey phone call demanding that I give the person on the other end of the phone a load of my personal details, starting with my full name. As I didn’t know what this was about I refused unless they told my the nature of their call, and they remained elusive, quoting GDPR regs, although eventually they did tell me the name of the company that they worked for. A quick Google search showed this to be a firm of debt collectors.
I phoned them back, explained that I didn’t owe anyone any money, (I genuinely do not), but I’d like to get to the bottom of this and asked them to write to me explaining what it was all about. The debt collectors told that they would do so.
A couple of weeks pass and I get another text saying that they had sent me an email regarding this matter. I left it an hour or so, checked all of my emails, including spam / junk files, and there was nothing there.
A few days later I receive another arsey phone call from this firm, threatening me with all sorts of legal action unless I provide them with my personal details. Again, I refuse, and calmly explain that I’d like to get to the bottom of this, so could they give me any clues whatsoever. Not certain figures, or company names, but even just to tell me if it’s in relation to a bank loan, a credit card, a catalog, or a HP agreement. Once again, they refuse quoting GDPR regs.
Once again, I ask them to write to me explaining how much is owed and to whom, and they tell me that the Courts will be doing so in the appropriate timescales.
But here’s the thing. Up until late 2017 I was ‘working away’, and had been for six years. Since 2017 I’ve had one bank loan for £8000, that was paid off on time and in full, and I have confirmation of that. I haven’t had any other form of credit, and all utilities / council tax are all up to date and my credit cards get zeroed to the nearest fiver each month.
Prior to 2017, I didn’t even have a bank account and had always relied on cash only.
I’m planning on applying for a mortgage toward the end of this year, so I’d like my credit checks to be squeaky clean.
I’ve just carried out an Experion and an Equifax credit checks, and they were both 992/999. Surely if I had bad credit, it would show up there?
Also, is there any legal obligation for a debt collector to tell you what a debt is about? I can understand them not doing so over the phone if you haven’t verified your identity first, but to refuse to write to me explaining the situation seems odd? Unless of course they don’t actually know my address?
So, short of giving this debt collection agency all of my personal details, (essentially doing their job for them), how can I go about finding out what all of this is about?
edited to add, I’ve just bought a brand new freezer, taking advantage of the 0% finance offer to ‘pay-in-3’, but only the first payment has been paid on that, with the other two payments not even reaching their due dates. Besides that, no other finance.
Also, the previous tenant of the property we are in was an Insta Model / porn star who racked up loads of debt whilst driving around in a green Lamborghini and getting loads of crappy plastic surgery. I wonder if this is anything to do with her, and I’ve caught the cold because I now live at the same address?
It’s a bit of a strange one, so thanks in advance for any advice, as it appears that I’m in a Catch22 situation.
The Debt Collection agency will have bought the debt and have limited info.
Tell them either to write to you (don't give them an address) giving full details of how the debt was incurred, how much and a copy of any supporting documentation and that other than such a letter any further contact from them will be considered harassment.
If they say the matter has gone through the courts ask for the name of the case, date and at which court so you can look up the judgement.
I'd day they've got you confused with someone else and are trying to hold you responsible for someone else's debt.
Give them nothing unless they supply you with full details and then, give them nothing, just tell them it's not you (assuming it isn't of course).
Tell them either to write to you (don't give them an address) giving full details of how the debt was incurred, how much and a copy of any supporting documentation and that other than such a letter any further contact from them will be considered harassment.
If they say the matter has gone through the courts ask for the name of the case, date and at which court so you can look up the judgement.
I'd day they've got you confused with someone else and are trying to hold you responsible for someone else's debt.
Give them nothing unless they supply you with full details and then, give them nothing, just tell them it's not you (assuming it isn't of course).
@Tyre Tread;
The last time I spoke to them and they told me that they had my address, I asked them what the last letter was of my postcode, or the last letter of my street name. The hesitation and ums, erms, made my strongly suspect that they don’t know my address.
They didn’t say that court action was being taken, merely that it would be taken during the appropriate timescale.
The problem is, I’d like to get to the bottom of this before applying for a mortgage.
The last time I spoke to them and they told me that they had my address, I asked them what the last letter was of my postcode, or the last letter of my street name. The hesitation and ums, erms, made my strongly suspect that they don’t know my address.
They didn’t say that court action was being taken, merely that it would be taken during the appropriate timescale.
The problem is, I’d like to get to the bottom of this before applying for a mortgage.
They’ve got none of your details except for your name (which you most likely gave them when you rang back after their text).
Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
57Ford said:
They’ve got none of your details except for your name (which you most likely gave them when you rang back after their text).
Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
I agree with Lee. They have sent out txts to random numbers hoping to catch a bite. The fact they don't know your name, address etc and are fishing for the details means it sounds scammy. I'd be tempted to report it for fraud and also inform them of this fact, should they contact you again.Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
The Count said:
57Ford said:
They’ve got none of your details except for your name (which you most likely gave them when you rang back after their text).
Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
I agree with Lee. They have sent out txts to random numbers hoping to catch a bite. The fact they don't know your name, address etc and are fishing for the details means it sounds scammy. I'd be tempted to report it for fraud and also inform them of this fact, should they contact you again.Sounds distinctly like a scammer on a fishing trip to me. Even someone as savvy as you’ve always come across seems to have been taken in so I’d imagine quite a few fold immediately and pay up.
They did tell me the name of the company they are alleged from, and it does march the name of a debt collection agency well known for its dubious practices based in Scotland.
105.4 said:
They did tell me the name of the company they are alleged from, and it does march the name of a debt collection agency well known for its dubious practices based in Scotland.
Does sound very scammy, they could have just picked the name of this agency off the internet to frighten you? If it is a scam I am surprised they are so persistent and haven't moved on to an easier target.If it is a "genuine" debt and they have the wrong person I am amazed they haven't written to you or given you more details.
Very strange
Terminator X said:
I had similar years ago, company calling me chasing a debt but could not give me details over the phone until I confirmed my name and address! As you I just said I wouldn't and don't confirm anything over the phone to people calling me at random. Eventually they gave up.
TX.
Did anything ever come of it concerning your credit rating?TX.
Usually I’d tell such firms to FRO, but I don’t want this biting me on the arse in six months time.
105.4 said:
Terminator X said:
I had similar years ago, company calling me chasing a debt but could not give me details over the phone until I confirmed my name and address! As you I just said I wouldn't and don't confirm anything over the phone to people calling me at random. Eventually they gave up.
TX.
Did anything ever come of it concerning your credit rating?TX.
Usually I’d tell such firms to FRO, but I don’t want this biting me on the arse in six months time.
TX.
If there is nothing lurking do as suggested but on the off chance something from the dim and distant past might be relevant then a nice short sharp letter sent recorded.
"You cannot or will not supply details of the alleged debt, yet you keep contacting me. By this letter I'm putting you on notice that I know of no alleged debt and despite my requests no information has been supplied in a manner which I can verify or deal with.
Given the above stop harassing me and if you apply to any court for any ruling or enforcement, I reserve the right to present this letter to show your lack of engagement"
For anyone who doubts this approach, I had a dispute with MBNA and I issued county court proceedings but they sold the debt to some scumbag Danish company in Reading, John their "top enforcer" ( his words) rung me and I didn't even link things and told them to write, they turned up while I was at work and my now hysterical wife on the phone to me. This POS told me wife he was friendly with the Chief Constable, no mention of which force and he could get me arrested.
Once I linked things after the letter, MBNA do an about turn and took the thing back in house, I roasted John and he denied ever saying any of this and MBNA settled before court with an additional good will gesture.
These people are filth
"You cannot or will not supply details of the alleged debt, yet you keep contacting me. By this letter I'm putting you on notice that I know of no alleged debt and despite my requests no information has been supplied in a manner which I can verify or deal with.
Given the above stop harassing me and if you apply to any court for any ruling or enforcement, I reserve the right to present this letter to show your lack of engagement"
For anyone who doubts this approach, I had a dispute with MBNA and I issued county court proceedings but they sold the debt to some scumbag Danish company in Reading, John their "top enforcer" ( his words) rung me and I didn't even link things and told them to write, they turned up while I was at work and my now hysterical wife on the phone to me. This POS told me wife he was friendly with the Chief Constable, no mention of which force and he could get me arrested.
Once I linked things after the letter, MBNA do an about turn and took the thing back in house, I roasted John and he denied ever saying any of this and MBNA settled before court with an additional good will gesture.
These people are filth
Apply for the mortgage, if you do have any debt attached to you, it'll come up on the credit checks, if you don't have any debt the mortgage will go through fine, it all sounds very scam like to me though, the fact you have rang them back shows to them they have you on the hook.
I'd ignore any calls, they need to put it all in writing and if they can't do that, it's a scam.
I'd ignore any calls, they need to put it all in writing and if they can't do that, it's a scam.
I agree with the others. They don't know any more about you than I do. On the very small off chance it's real, keep the trail (I like DaveA8's idea) and let it go to court. How will they sue you if they can't disclose any information 'due to GDPR'? I think you have all the cards.
Don't let them worry you - that's what they rely on.
105.4 said:
I phoned them back...
Put the number in google - does that turn up anything?Don't let them worry you - that's what they rely on.
105.4 said:
Terminator X said:
I had similar years ago, company calling me chasing a debt but could not give me details over the phone until I confirmed my name and address! As you I just said I wouldn't and don't confirm anything over the phone to people calling me at random. Eventually they gave up.
TX.
Did anything ever come of it concerning your credit rating?TX.
Usually I’d tell such firms to FRO, but I don’t want this biting me on the arse in six months time.
What's ten minutes on the phone to them, when you could be helping someone else who may be vulnerable and may have fallen into their trap.
Surely the company that the debt collection company would have registered it as a late payment/ something like that and would show on your credit report. As you're saying it shows nothing I wouldn't worry.
If this is a genuine debt collector I'm pretty sure you'll get court papers from them before it goes to court, in which case write back saying you want all the details of the debt (they have to provide this). If it ever gets this far then they'll probably drop it there. If they send details then that is your chance to dispute/ pay it before it gets to court. If it actually gets to court and you're found to owe it then you would get a CCJ which I believe you have 30 days to pay before it hits the credit agencies.
Are you sure it isn't for something like a parking ticket which obviously wouldn't show on your credit file until you get a CCJ.
If this is a genuine debt collector I'm pretty sure you'll get court papers from them before it goes to court, in which case write back saying you want all the details of the debt (they have to provide this). If it ever gets this far then they'll probably drop it there. If they send details then that is your chance to dispute/ pay it before it gets to court. If it actually gets to court and you're found to owe it then you would get a CCJ which I believe you have 30 days to pay before it hits the credit agencies.
Are you sure it isn't for something like a parking ticket which obviously wouldn't show on your credit file until you get a CCJ.
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