MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Would you give debt collectors someone's address?

Woode47

I own another house (in another part of the country), left to me by my parents. A family lived there for several years, gradually getting further behind with their rent, but still asking for improvements and repairs.

Eventually, after running up a large rent bill, they left the bungalow in a mess. We had to go and sort things out. repairs were costly, but worse, even when we were there for two days, a succession of debt collectors were knocking on the door, threatening us for the debts of the tenants.

We found out where the tenants lived and gave the agencies the address.

I have no qualms about giving them the information, they owed us a substantial amount of money, the debts we could work out amounted to £20,000 plus.

This was a year after, very proudly, they proclaimed to our agent that they would pay back all the back rent as they had inherited over £90,000 from her father.

After having holidays, new cars, a power boat and a great time, they left horrendous debts, and a mess in the bungalow. All of us who buy anything, pay extra for the pleasure to cover the costs of bad debts, shoplifters and so on.

I know it sounds like a "rich man's rant", but we are not rich, we survive by being careful with our money. We have had no debts in the forty odd years we have known each other.

Treat others as you would be treated, be honest and be treated well.

miss_money_pig

I lived in a rented flat for a while a few years ago. I must admit that I just binned all mail for the previous tenants. To my surprise they one day turned up for their mail and so I found myself having to explain. Which was a little embarrassing but it soon faded when I realised the cheeky stinkers didn't want their mountain of debt letters. Just a new home shopping catalogue. :think: So I pointed them to the bin and let them get on with it.

I would still do the same again, I don't agree with running from debt myself. But in reality I just wouldn't involve myself in someone else's issues.

bigskinflint

put return to sender not known at this address
but also check your credit ratings and inform any companies of the previous occupants or you may not be able to get credit yourself

keith26

scotsbob wrote: »

Do unto others etc.

I wouldn't want anyone passing on my details, I certainly wouldn't do it to anyone else. Shopping someone to a debt collector is on a par with shopping them to the police.

Nice to see your an honest individual scotsbob, I find that attitude distastful, anyone wonder why criminals get away with things, theres your answer!:mad:

Neal2k

I guess it could have an emotional attachment if I knew the person but no, I wouldn't be passing on any details. It's none of my business, I would mark the letters with "not at this address" and put them back in the post.

emlou2009

I'm surprised at how many people wrongly think that credit ratings are marked on addresses - they are actually marked on the people themselves. Yes, it may flag up as an at risk address during a credit check process, but this is normally sorted if the company carrying out the credit check do a more in depth check.

I am also surprised to see how many people seem to think that a bailiff can take their property when it isnt their debt! They cant take anything if you dont open the door to them, so just dont open the door!

hefferwump

Not a chance

It could be a breach of the data protection act so reguardless of what my personal feelings were not a hope

Jane54_2

Yes I would - why should I keep getting harrassed by Debt Collectors knocking on my door for someone else's stupidity.

Let them know and let them move on and do their job.

:j

chrishayton

Damn right I would! This happened to my sister in law many years ago. They had bailiffs, court summons and all sorts turning up to remove property etc. Drop the scum right in it - protect yourself and your family as priority number one!

niccatw

Since I don't actually know their forwarding address, and am finding it out through friends of friends, how do I know it's their real forwarding address? So for that reason, no I wouldn't.

If I did definitley know their address, I'd forward mail to that address. If not, I'd return to sender and, if it continued, send a cover letter to the return address on the envelope.

Since I wouldn't open the mail, I wouldn't necessarily know bailliffs were being threatened unless they did turn up at the door. Having experienced this for non-payment of council tax (I was a student, my flat-mate (and "friend") was not), the person at the door was nothing but polite and helpful towards me as I could proove I was all that I said I was. He did not try and force entry and he did not urge me for information regarding the debtor (who was refusing to leave his room next to the front door!)

Incidentally, 4 years lated, I received a DCA letter for that same debt. Said "friend" refuesed to deal with it. I did not give the new address to the DCA but I did give the street name to the councilt tax office. And now keep that particular "friend" at arms length!