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Being chased for a debt that isn't mine

I received a letter about a month ago from SRJ debt collection agency informing me they had been trying to contact me about a debt of £406. which was owed to E-On at an address I previously lived at. I rang them and asked when the debt was owed from and was told 2004 & 2005. I informed them that I moved from that address in 2003 and pointed out that I had not had any previous contact or correspondence from them. I'm sure there are many people here who have spoken with Debt Collection Agencies and their staff are rude and obnoxious at best. The day I got the letter I spoke with 3 different people and only 1 gave any information or advice. I was told to send proof that I was not living in the property at the time which I have to both SRJ and E-On but, today I received another letter advising that the debt was now £499 due to my failure to pay. I rang again and spoke with an extremely rude person who was not helpful at all. I don't think I can send a statute of limitations letter because I don't owe this money, I am really worried about this as I have been receiving phone calls from them every day since the initial letter. I am disabled, having a neurological condition and this stress is affecting me a lot. If there is anyone who can give me some help/advice about dealing with this, I would be very grateful.

Comments

  • mr.ton
    mr.ton Posts: 415 Forumite
    edited 4 September 2010 at 12:31PM
    Firstly stop speaking to them on the phone & refuse to answer security questions if they phone you - everything in writing only.
    As you ve found out - you'd get better manners in the school playground than what you would off DCA's, so do not speak to them unless its through a spiritual medium.....
    Its for them to prove that you do owe a debt, not the other way round, so dont send them anything.
    If its not you that owes the debt then its a case of "end of" & if they continue being a nusiance then report them to the OFT & trading standards.
  • Yes do not ring, they are commission driven on the phone so they will try to get blood from a stone.

    Whilst you are not required to send proof that you do not owe this debt #1, it is sometimes easier to do so if you have such information to hand.

    If not, send the prove it letter to them, and stop ringing them - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11570893&postcount=2

    #1 -
    Deceptive and/or unfair methods
    2.7 Dealings with debtors are not to be deceitful and/or unfair.
    2.8 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:j. requiring an individual to supply information to prove they are not the
    debtor in question, for example, driving licences, passports, full name,
    date of birth, signatures
    Source: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf
    Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.

    There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies
  • mr.ton
    mr.ton Posts: 415 Forumite
    Whilst you are not required to send proof that you do not owe this debt, it is sometimes easier to do so if you have such information to hand.

    With the greatest respect.............absolutely no,not & never in any order :)
  • I understand and would agree not to give them any fuel to add to a fire, but if you can prove without any shadow of a doubt this is not your debt, so stop chasing me ...or else

    Lowell guilty of harassment - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2670865
    Ferguson Vs. British Gas - http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/02/26/debt_collection/

    Then it can be easier than just to keep on sending prove it letters and getting annoyed with it all.
    Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.

    There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    mr.ton wrote: »
    With the greatest respect.............absolutely no,not & never in any order :)
    You, mr.ton are as rough and tumble, ruddy cheeked and as rumbustious as they come. For you, toying with debt collectors is a sport. I bet you invite them round to play and you are disappointed when they say their mothers don't like them playing with you.

    But for people with a different disposition, I think DC's advice could be best.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • Hi everyone, just wanted to say thanks for all the help and advice you have given me.:o
  • mrsr1972 wrote: »
    Hi everyone, just wanted to say thanks for all the help and advice you have given me.:o


    just wanted to say that the exact same company did the same to me. tried to say i owed a debt for a catalogue which started AFTER i had moved out, several months in fact.

    now dealing with anothr DCA for the same thing trying to get them to prove its mine.

    good luck with it.
    On the Keyboard of Life - Always Keep a finger poised over the Esc Key! :rotfl:
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