Debt collector at door.

weths

Hi, i wonder if you can help me with this one? Ive just had a collector from a company called Scotcall. This was for my boyfriends debt from his marriage. My boyfriend stays with me sometimes but isnt living with me at the moment as i simply cant afford it. However as he is living with friends etc (no permanent address) He has used my address for things like his divorce paperwork to be sent etc. It appears he has given this address for a number of other things too. The debt collector spoke to my boyfriend and told both him and i that i would be liable for the debt. That the debt is registered at my property and if he went bankrupt my equity would be taken into account. That i would have to disassociate myself from him via experian and equifax etc. Is this right? Allowing him to use my address can mess up my own credit and even render me liable? Please help!!!!

gilligansyle

The debt is registered to your bf at your address, not you. Is there any financial link between you? Do you have a joint bank account or anything? You still can't be held liable for his debts.

I think they were only trying to frighten you.

Doorstep debt collectors have no more rights than the paper boy.

weths

I have no financial links to him at all. No joint bank account. Nothing in joint names. Everything i have and own is my own.

The man was horrible and didnt even leave a card or anything to prove he was collecting a debt just my boyfriends name, the amount and the creditor. He told me i need to put in a notice of disassociation otherwise that would be it. He told my boyfriend he had to be honest with me about his debts and went on saying if it went to court how much trouble we would be in etc...he did all of this in front of my daughter and i feel sick.. i cannot afford my own debt but certainly not the debt of anyone else...what can i do to complain or even can i complain??

fermi

In that case he is telling you a pack of lies. :mad:

His debts are his own, and you cannot be made liable for them no matter what.

Being linked financially wouldn't make you liable, but you aren't even that.

If it went to court you BF would just have to pay what he could afford. There would be no repercussions for you personally.

weths

My boyfriend offered a small amount a month and he said the lowest he would take would be £10 a week. The debt is for around 5k. He said that if it went any further they would want three figures a week...im furious and feel sick...

fermi

weths wrote: »

My boyfriend offered a small amount a month and he said the lowest he would take would be £10 a week. The debt is for around 5k. He said that if it went any further they would want three figures a week...im furious and feel sick...

They can ask whatever they like. Doesn't mean they can have it, or that your BF is obliged to try.

They know full well that if it went to court that the most likely outcome is that the court would order it paid in installments based upon what your BF can afford.

THAT is why they try these scare tactics now. They know that scaring it out of you now, with lies and threats they can't back up, is their best chance of getting bigger payments. :rolleyes:

Sol00

I can only echo what the others have said by saying that the address will not make you liable in any way. The collector will more than likely be on commission to collect as much as possible and will use whatever tactics they can. Just ignore their lies!

weths

The man even said to us that some of what he was saying he shouldnt be...eg advising us to do a notice of disassociation. He then said to my bf that if he told anyone he had said that he would come round and hit him. (not the exact words..i think he said bang him..bump him or something) Its only now that im remembering the things he said and getting more and more angry! I was so quiet because my daughter was in the room and didnt want to make a fuss.

yellowduck_2

that is appalling behaviour, you must have been so angry and upset. I don't know a lot about debt collectors and the law, hopefully someone who does will be along soon to advise you. Surely there must be some sanction or legal redress against threats of violence, sounds like the tactics of a loan shark. Hope you are feeling a bit calmer now

weths

I think ive gone from the upset/sick feeling to feeling downright furious..though perhaps a little calmer now! If i could afford it i would have a glass of wine! Im going to find out how to complain about his behaviour on Monday. However i doubt it will go anywhere. Im just so glad that my equity cant be taken into account. It took me many years to accrue and im slowly trying to get myself out of the financial mire. Thank you everyone for your advice.. next one will be how to construct a strongly worded letter of complaint!

gilligansyle

I think you should complain about his attitude. He is obviously on commission and wanting to bump up his wages, but that is appalling. Have never actually had a DCA turn up at the door, always swore I wouldn't let them in, now even more convinced.