What can a DCA do?

Numpty_Monkey

whitefuschia wrote: »

So a bailiff will come after you for something that has gone to court?

Possibly, if you don't keep up payments

whitefuschia wrote: »

An alleged unpaid utility bill has reared it's head 3 years after we left a property.

Have you still got the letter?

whitefuschia wrote: »

Somebody came to my current property a few nights ago (husband dealt with them so don't know the company name offhand).

That is a big no no from them

whitefuschia wrote: »

We've been in touch with the utility company asking for more info as this is the first we've heard about it (just waiting for them to send us proof of the debt).

Chances are they won't know :mad:

whitefuschia wrote: »

I was just wondering whether the person after the debt is a bailiff or a DCA and if a DCA what rights they have.

DCA = no rights

whitefuschia wrote: »

If the debt is valid we will pay it as soon as it's proved to be ours, but this is the frst we've heard of it even though it's 3 years old (and we had mail forwarding when we left that address so we were contactable)

Can I write to both bailiffs and DCAs telling them not to turn up on my doorstep?

Write to the DCA, I doubt any bailliffs will be involved

send them these

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=11570893&postcount=2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=23635529&postcount=59

whitefuschia

Thank you both for your replies.

Numpty - There is no letter, just someone who pulled up onto our driveway so my husband went out to speak to him. As I said, this is the first we've heard of it and as far as I'm aware everything from that property was paid in full.

Hannah - They're claiming it's for £1,000 (!) Although it's 3 years ago I'm pretty sure we paid the utility bills there, and if we didn't then why didn't they get in touch with us as that must be a whole year's worth of bills.

I have no intention of speaking to the DCA or utility co. Everything will be done via letter.

Hannah_10

One last question from me, sorry, just trying to get a really good understanding... Have they left an address, even on a business card?

Numpty_Monkey

whitefuschia wrote: »

Thank you both for your replies.

Numpty - There is no letter, just someone who pulled up onto our driveway so my husband went out to speak to him. As I said, this is the first we've heard of it and as far as I'm aware everything from that property was paid in full.

Something ain't sitting right with me:think:

Have you checked your Credit report recently?
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score

Hannah_10

Stinks to me too Numpty. Hopefully when her husband gets in we'll get a few more details and it'll all become clear but right now it doesn't add up at all. Not just that she had her post redirected and heard nothing about it (odd) but that no paperwork was left. It's just not normal.

whitefuschia

Husband home now. This is was happened:

I saw that someone had pulled up on our drive and mentioned it to husband as the car was there for a while (half on drive, half in road). He went out to speak to the car man and the conversation went something like this:

Husband: Can I help you?

Car Man: Mr whitefuschia?

Husband: Yes

Car Man: You've got an outstanding debt with (utility co) for £1,000 for address (gave wrong address initially, ie house number 2 instead of 3). I want to discuss a repayment plan with you.

Husband: I'm not discussing anything with you. You haven't got any ID or anything. Give me the utility co details and I'll get in touch with them.

Car Man gives Husband the utility co phone number and reference number plus his name and a mobile phone number. That's it. No paperwork, business card, nothing. Husband can't remember if he was told a company name. He didn't even say what dates the debt was for (I just assumed earlier it was a debt from 3 years ago because that's when we lived at the address).

It's sounding more dodgy by the minute!

Hannah_10

It is isn't it. No ID???

Do nothing.

A real debt will write to you.

If you want to do anything then I suggest you ring the utility company (usually you never call, but on this occassion it'll be ok). Be nice, explain what happened and say that you are confused and that you want to know if you owe them anything, they should be able to say.

Hannah_10

OMG huge oversight- use the contact details on the untility companies website, never ever anything given to you by a dodgy bloke on the drive.

Hannah_10

Also, time to get your credit files. You need all three. See this. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score#files

whitefuschia

Thanks for all your advice. I Googled the 0845 number the Car Man gave us and it didn't come up with anything. I certainly won;t be calling that or the mobile number he left.