Trace confirmation for debt thats not mine

Keldin · 22 June 2008 at 9:53PM

I received a letter today from SRJ Debt Recoveries saying that their client Carphone Warehouse Direct has tried to contact me on numerous occasions to make payment on an outstanding debt (over £600), I have failed to respond or make payment so they have found it necessary to trace for confirmation of my current residence. They have information confirming I live at the above address and my account is being fast tracked for litigation etc etc

Now I don't have an outstanding debt with Carphone Warehouse. I do have a mobile account from them but thats paid up and it doesn't match the account number stated on the letter. Now I figure they are either looking for someone else with my name or someone has used my name to get a mobile from Carphone Warehouse. I will be contacting them tomorrow morning to try and get some more info and basically tell them its nothing to do with me. Does anyone have any advice on anything to do or not to do?

Thanks
K

GeorgeUK · 22 June 2008 at 10:08PM

They may be sending that same letter to many people. I advise contacting carphone warehouse, but don't phone the DCA or you will be constantly getting calls from them. Write requesting that the provide proof that the debt is yours.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=11570893#post11570893

M_Leake · 31 July 2008 at 11:47AM

Hello I have been harassed to death by srj debt recovery for a debt that no one in my household owes, it is a different member of the family living at a different address - which they have been informed of on numerous occasions. It is I who answers the phone as I am at home during the day. I rang them 0845 3137200 (I got this number by dialling 1471 after their phone calls) and asked for an address to complain to: When they eventually answered the phone (I rather suspect they have caller display to warn them who is calling) this is what they told me

Address: SRJ Debt Recovery, PO Box 1173, Woking, GU22 2BS. I looked this address up on Google and it gives another phone number 0870 428 4178 and a contact name of Michael Court plus email address *REMOVED*. I have sent him an email which can leave him in absolutely no doubt whatsoever that I am spitting feathers about it - assertive rather than rude and abusive

I forgot to say that even though they have been informed on a number of occasions that we do not owe them any money, by the person who does owe the money and by myself, we continued to receive phone calls and even had them trying to text our home phone number. I have told them that I consider it to be harassment and have threatened legal action if it doesnt stop

Further to this I have found out on SAYNOTO0870 that SRJ can be contacted on 01483 228200. This would make sense as it is a Guildford number and their address is Woking but with a Guildford postcode. I have rung this number and it does connect to SRJ, but more cheaply I assume. It seems to be the same line as the 0845 3137200 number - and both numbers end in "200"

Hope this is helpful. Perhaps if HE starts getting lots of phone calls, letters and emails, they might change their tactics. Also, as someone else suggested, perhaps we should get the Office of Fair Trading involved - for advice please see this website and pdf file http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/bus...dit/oft664.pdf - if these people think they might lose their license they might be different in future

rog2 · 31 July 2008 at 12:12PM

M_Leake wrote: »

it gives another phone number 0870 428 4178 and a contact name of Michael Court plus email address **REMOVED**

I agree, but please do not phone them on the '0870' number - this is a profit share number and JRS will earn up to 7p a minute on each call that they receive on this number.

I have tried looking for an alternative 'geographical' number, but can not find one. However, the '0845' number that you also have is charged at 'local rates' so it will definitely be cheaper than the '0870' number.

It is a bit disturbing to see that JRS seem to be adopting a 'phishing' approach to Debt Collection. It seems that they are mailing people with similar names/addresses to the 'debtor' in the hope of netting the actual debtor. It is the responsibility of JRS to ensure that they are certain that the person to whom they are writing is, indeed, the actual 'debtor' and their apparent phishing' technique is in direct contravention of the Office of Fair Trading Guidelines on Debt Collection, to which, in order to retain their licence, they should adhere:

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

They should, therefore, be reported to Trading Standards for this blatant violation of the rules, and, if enough people report them, they could lose their licence.

Trace confirmation for debt thats not mine

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