Debt collection notice - scam or mistake?

[Chris71]

Hi,

My OH received a letter this morning, which on first glance, appeared to be asking her to call the phone number of a credit/debt collection company. It was odd for a number of reasons: It gave no explanation, she has no debts and never has, and, on closer inspection, it was actually for someone with the same first and last names but a different middle name (at our address and we're the first residents in a new house).

Initially we wondered if it was a premium rate scam, so we took a look on the net and the company appears to be genuine. The phone number listed on the company's website produced no response, so I guess they're not in over the weekend.

So, what do we reckon? Scam, mistake or something else?

Cheers,

Chris

[Engineer1]

A quick call on Monday morning will hopefully clear it up, chances are it's detective work that has gone awry and someone they are looking for moved at a similar time you moved in.

[v15ben]

Ignore it!
It sounds like it is a debt that has been passed on to a third party debt collector and they're just trying various routes to locate the debtor. They'll try anyone with a similar name. It isn't from Moorcroft or Hillside by any chance is it?
If your partner has no connection to the debt, just ignore it as once you make contact they'll call you/contact you constantly for ever more

Edited by v15ben on Saturday 22 May 17:56

[sneijder]

Bin it.

Edited by sneijder on Saturday 22 May 19:23

[Dixie68]

Whatever you do don't contact them! I had the same situation and called them, they didn't believe I wasn't the person they were looking for and I had to spend money on posting copious amounts of paperwork to them. Yet every few months it all starts up again!

[speedchick]

Stick it back in the post with not known at this address on the front, do not get into dialogue with them, it's upto them to prove that you owe the money, not for you to prove who you are and that you don't.

[ukwill]

Dixie68 said:

Whatever you do don't contact them! I had the same situation and called them, they didn't believe I wasn't the person they were looking for and I had to spend money on posting copious amounts of paperwork to them. Yet every few months it all starts up again!

So what if they didnt believe you? Why did you care?

[Chris71]

Cheers gents, sounds like ignoring it is the best policy.

It always amuses me how debt collection agencies have the potential to make life difficult for innocent people, but are singularly useless when it comes to recovering money from people who actually do owe it, but that's another story...

[Dixie68]

ukwill said:

Dixie68 said:

Whatever you do don't contact them! I had the same situation and called them, they didn't believe I wasn't the person they were looking for and I had to spend money on posting copious amounts of paperwork to them. Yet every few months it all starts up again!

So what if they didnt believe you? Why did you care?

Because stupidly me calling them let them know that someone with the same name as them lived here and the threats went to "bailiffs will visit". I know it's total balls now but didn't then and it fair sts you up.

[soad]

Not her debt then - shred it.

[Astacus]

Chris71 said:

Hi,

My OH received a letter this morning, which on first glance, appeared to be asking her to call the phone number of a credit/debt collection company. It was odd for a number of reasons: It gave no explanation, she has no debts and never has, and, on closer inspection, it was actually for someone with the same first and last names but a different middle name (at our address and we're the first residents in a new house).

Initially we wondered if it was a premium rate scam, so we took a look on the net and the company appears to be genuine. The phone number listed on the company's website produced no response, so I guess they're not in over the weekend.

So, what do we reckon? Scam, mistake or something else?

Cheers,

Chris

This sounds to me like a debt collection agency are trying to locate a person with the same name as you. They look up the addresses of all the people in you area with that name and send the letter to all of them hoping they hit lucky. Don't contact them.

Erm edited to add....What Ben said!

Edited by Astacus on Sunday 23 May 13:40

[tim2100]

Ignore/Bin it. DCA's will try everything to collect the money. They dont care who payes it as long as it is paid.

They have just gone down a list of names & address's, and sent out shots on the off chance somebody will pooh themselves and pay it.

[v15ben]

Chris71 said:

Cheers gents, sounds like ignoring it is the best policy.

It always amuses me how debt collection agencies have the potential to make life difficult for innocent people, but are singularly useless when it comes to recovering money from people who actually do owe it, but that's another story...

Getting the people who do owe to speak to you is the biggest challenge.

[Blib]

So, they've finally tracked you down eh, Chris?

[cymtriks]

Dixie68 said:

ukwill said:

Dixie68 said:

Whatever you do don't contact them! I had the same situation and called them, they didn't believe I wasn't the person they were looking for and I had to spend money on posting copious amounts of paperwork to them. Yet every few months it all starts up again!

So what if they didnt believe you? Why did you care?

Because stupidly me calling them let them know that someone with the same name as them lived here and the threats went to "bailiffs will visit". I know it's total balls now but didn't then and it fair sts you up.

As far as they are concerned you walk like a duck (right name) and quack like a duck (right place) therefore you are a duck (the guy they want).

Prove that you are not the right person, they may get a judgement against you and this can affect you if you ever need a loan or mortgage.

If they pester just send ONE letter refering to your previous response and ask who to charge your time to for a repeat response.

Start charging them.

[AngryApples]

Pond scum, nothing more

Best ignored

IF it came to court then do something but if you call them they will lie and bully you in anyway they see fit

Example: woman fills out a income and expenditure form for a DCA (which they are in no way legally entitled to anyway) and when DCA recives it they state they cant accept her figures because she included dog food on it and this is a luxury!

Ended up telling her it wouldnt matter anyway because they would get her house sold and then her dog would be taken by the RSPCA anyway

These people just dont give a st who they upset/hurt so long as they get their cash

Type "Consumer Action Group" into Google, many, many stories on there that should shame this country

[Adz The Rat]

I dont suppose the letter was from Wescott was it?

[TubbyTommy]

I had a letter from Moorcroft on friday. I had taken out a 30 day rolling contract from a provider but never received it. Called provider and they said don't worry about it if its not used you won't get charged. They only want 33 quid but I refuse to pay for something I have never had.