Tower Investigations, Global debt recovery

phillip12

A Tower Investigations letter (claiming to be private investigators/surveillance and genealogical experts) was sent to my sister stating that they were acting on behalf of a client and wanted my sister to call to verify some information.

My sister has mental health issues and severe learning disabilities, I was curious as to what this letter was about so I phoned the number. This was over the easter weekend and there was obviously no reply. I left it and decided not to pursue them again as I was suspicious. I now know that this is some sort of scam to try and make people pay over money for a non-existent or old debt written off.

Today a rude man from this organisation called to say that someone had tried to call them. I realised who they were and told them it was in reply to their letter. They asked me to confirm the name and address which I did (I shouldn't have done but they already had this information anyway). He then said something but I could not hear him properly, I politely asked him what he said, he rudely asked in a patronising manner "can you not hear or understand me?" I asked what he wanted from my sister, he demanded to know why she couldn't speak for herself, I told him she was not able to explaining that she has a disability - he rudely told me he "found it highly unlikely that she had a learning disability", at this point I was angered at this insult and asked him what he wanted, he asked for her date of birth, I refused and again asked who he represented, he spoke over me continuosly shouting and telling me to stop screaming and being hysterical at him, I know that I was not shouting at him only speaking assertively and boldly about what he wanted. I again asked what it was about he told me he could not tell me, so I in turn told him well I cannot tell you anything either and simply hung up.
If my sister answered the phone to this rude bully, this could have caused her a number of health problems. My sister does not owe any loans etc, if she wants anything she saves and pays for it upfront.
My only concern now is if they phone and harass her. However she is well aware not to speak to anyone of whom she does not know (as I deal with anything on her behalf), but it is still a concern especially as she is vulnerable.

Does anyone have any tips, who to report this to and how to stop this happening?

blue_monkey_2

My husband has just received one of these letters. I saw the 'Investigations' bit through the envelope and then held it to the light and said that it said 'Geaneology, Survelance' etc... And I've not opened it but I have read it to the light and it says please get in touch etc... (naughty I know, but still, who hasn't done it?)

We do already pay Global. We wrote offering them a F&F settlement figure but they never replied but just send letters every few months asking for an update in our circumstances, which we never bother filling in and returning to be fair, and just send our monthly payment.

So this is obviosuly to do with Lloyds TSB debt still ongoing.

Question is - should I chuck the letter in the bin before my husband gets home and forget it ever came?

It is all very sneaky isn't it? It would not be so bad but we are paying them and have offered to settle but they refuse to reply to our letters. Bloody cheek!! We know they have the letters because we put it in with the payment which has been cashed.

Gollysmum

Hi There

I am new to this site but I have also received 3 letters. The first two were from Tower Investigations, worded identically and worded the same as previous posts to this subject. The letters look photocopied and unprofessional with photocopied illegible signatures.
I chose to ignore them.

Today I have received another letter from Global Debt Recovery, with an account number but again a photocopied letter with a photocopied illegible signature.

Obviously I am worried but I'm sure I have no outstanding debts - only the usual day to day outgoings, which most home owners have. In fact, we have even paid our mortgage in full. I have been on Experian and there is nothing outstanding there, we have a good credit rating on everything.

My concern is, my mother died suddenly earlier this year and, as she left no will, I was responsible for tying all loose ends up. I am just worried that there is something I have over looked. Its bad enough coming to terms with the death of my mum without having to deal with these people. I do know that my parents had debts around 25 years ago with a failed business but I am positive that everything was cleared up. Unfortunately all the paperwork was destroyed many years after the debts were paid so I have no proof of this.

On reading all the comments regarding this firm, I am extremely frightened to contact them. I would like to seek legal advice from someone but I don't know where to go, I can't get through to Citizens Advice, no-one is picking up. I would be very grateful of advice. Can they issue a CCJ if I continue to ignore their letters and can they send the debt collectors?

Many thanks

mr.ton

I would advice anyone to never contact a DCA by phone..everything in writing only & refuse to answer security questions if a DCA phones you.
They have no legal power to any money off you, only a court does and only a court can send bailiffs.
Report them to the OFT & trading standards if they refuse to leave you alone.

NorthernLas

You have checked your credit file and no nothing of this debt. The company is fishing to see if you respond - DON'T.

I would ignore them. If you are really bothered, send them the 'prove it' letter that is listed earlier in this thread.

Do not lose sleep over this, it is not your debt.

No they cannot issue a CCJ because you ignore letters. They can write and tell you they are sending debt collectors, but they have no authority.

RAS

Hi

if your parents had debts 25 years ago, they are long long time statute barred any way and even with CCJs would not be allowed by the courts.

eyeopener2

Not just that RAS, if there is no estate to pay the debts from then they are gone anyway. This is the usual nasty DC trying to scare people.