Debt Collectors Help!

outdriveman

Hi

What are my rights?

My girlfriend had a vist today from a debt collector today(Welcome Finance)
The debt is in a complete strangers name however when she told the un invited guest he still posted a letter stating that Miss xxxxxxx owes £4064. (I opened the letter as ther was no name on the envelope)
Firstly I dont want the debt collectors around again and secondly I am annoyed that they sent some one around with no appointment or even any indication that the person who owes money is anything to do with my property.
I know they are only doing a job but I resent any one making my family stressed.
Thank you in advance for any advice given

MrsTinks

Well unfortunately there is nothing stopping the little louses coming when they please... however - should they come again ask for their name before you will confirm anything then inform them miss x does not reside at this address and hasn't for the previous y time period (whilst you have been there) and if they or any other representative from their company approach your doorstep again you will have no hesitation in treating this as harrassment and take legal action and seek damages for stress caused. Then send a nice letter to the company they represent basically stating that Mr Blob visited your address on x day at x time and repeat in writing what you have told them. Send recorded.
Then if they DO come again let us know because then we can REALLY have fun with them

MrsTinks

I'm in a mean mood today - can you tell? :rotfl:

RAS

[What are their rights?

No more than those of the local paper boy.

Debt collection visits have to be by agreement, it is against OFT rules to chase someone for debt not knowing if you have the right person, it is absolutely against the rules once you know you have the wrong person and they have messed up on the data protection act by divulging the other party's debt to you.

Any address on this letter?

Yorkshire_Bred

I would keep the letter and seek advice from your local Trading Standards (via Consumer Direct)as this is a clear breach of the Debt Collection Guidelines

Deep_In_Debt

MrsTine wrote: »

Well unfortunately there is nothing stopping the little louses coming when they please... however - should they come again ask for their name before you will confirm anything then inform them miss x does not reside at this address and hasn't for the previous y time period (whilst you have been there) and if they or any other representative from their company approach your doorstep again you will have no hesitation in treating this as harrassment and take legal action and seek damages for stress caused. Then send a nice letter to the company they represent basically stating that Mr Blob visited your address on x day at x time and repeat in writing what you have told them. Send recorded.
Then if they DO come again let us know because then we can REALLY have fun with them

Yep, we love having fun with them. I'm female and live on my own and seem to be a target for doorstep collectors for some reason. Maybe it is because I am female and live on my own....or maybe it's just rather a lot of them around here and they are a bit bored! Whatever...I soon see them off!

They have fewer legal rights than the milkman or paperboy as presumably you've invited the milkman onto your property and not stopped the paperboy or leaflet distributors coming on to your property either...if this makes sense.

Tell them to sling their hooks or you'll call the police.