Getting post for someone never lived at address - MBNA Debt?

Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum, if not staff please feel free to move.

For the last few weeks been getting post for someone who's never lived here. We're the 2nd owners of the house.

The mail has a return address of PO Box 189, Huddersfield HD8 1DY which a google search today flags as a debt collector firm chasing MBNA debts. One of this links showed the PO Box as being owned by
FAIRFAX SOLICITORS, MERRION STREET, LEEDS, LS2 8BX, TELEPHONE NUMBER 01138233898

The name on the letters doesnt appear on the electorial register, so assume its either an admin error, or someone's changed their address to ours?

All mail has been returned as not known at address, but as fast as they're sent back then more arrive.

Does any one have any advice?
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Comments

  • Open a letter (it's not illegal to do so), call them, tell them to stop sending them or you're report them for harrassment.
  • cajef
    cajef Posts: 6,264
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    Open a letter (it's not illegal to do so)

    Sorry but that is wrong it is illegal :-

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4307699
  • Jinx
    Jinx Posts: 1,766
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    Looking at that link, its open to interpretation. Who has the detriment to you opening a seemingly correctly addressed piece of mail? I'd say a letter coming to your house about debt that is not yours is grounds for a 'reasonable excuse'; indeed its how I found out about identity fraud using my name. Certainly the person the mail is for knows it is not coming to their own address, are they going to complain?

    I'd open any mail to my address that looked suss especially re debt. I just bin things with the previous owners name which looks like insurance offers etc as I've been here 6 years so know its junk.

    128.Subsection (3) makes it an offence for a person, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, to open a postal packet which he knows or suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.
    Light Bulb Moment - 11th Nov 2004 - Debt Free Day - 25th Mar 2011 :j
  • Wheres_My_Cashback
    Wheres_My_Cashback Posts: 4,291
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    edited 25 November 2012 at 12:19PM
    cajef wrote: »
    Sorry but that is wrong it is illegal :-

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4307699

    No its not, there must be intent for it to be illegal just as there has to prove and prosecute for theft. Def no intent in stopping unwanted mail/harrassment.
  • We had this situation and spoke to the local police who advised us to return items to sender. We opened mail and spoke to each institution. Some, like debt collectors, will ask you to confirm in writing. We were also advised to notify credit agencies which is easier said than done.
  • NX1977
    NX1977 Posts: 84
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    So far just the one institution.

    I might contact Fairfax via phone tomorrow about this.

    How do you go about telling the credit agencies and how many are there?
  • We contacted experian and equifax by phone.
  • oki25
    oki25 Posts: 98
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    Just call MBNA on 0800 062062 and ask them to block mail as he doesn't live there, any forwarding address will be appreciated. The 'blacklist' is done by name not address, so shouldn't impact you. They will 'trace' him through other means and can stop mail in the mean time :)
  • stclair
    stclair Posts: 6,844
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    NX1977 wrote: »
    Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum, if not staff please feel free to move.

    For the last few weeks been getting post for someone who's never lived here. We're the 2nd owners of the house.

    The mail has a return address of PO Box 189, Huddersfield HD8 1DY which a google search today flags as a debt collector firm chasing MBNA debts. One of this links showed the PO Box as being owned by
    FAIRFAX SOLICITORS, MERRION STREET, LEEDS, LS2 8BX, TELEPHONE NUMBER 01138233898

    The name on the letters doesnt appear on the electorial register, so assume its either an admin error, or someone's changed their address to ours?

    All mail has been returned as not known at address, but as fast as they're sent back then more arrive.

    Does any one have any advice?


    Just bin it the letters coming to your address will not affect your credit rating at all.

    I get atleast 5 DCA letters a week chasing previous tenants at my address and they all get binned.
    Im an ex employee RBS Group
    However Any Opinion Given On MSE Is Strictly My Own
  • I have had such letters in the past.
    Phoning these type of 'debt collection agencies' and 'solicitors' is a waste of time. They buy debts about to be written off for a tiny amount and send out automated letters. If someone pays up, most of it is profit for them.

    As they were not in my name, I stopped wasting my time and binned subsequent letters. Haven't heard anything now for many years.
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