Do I need to do anything about this?

nickyhutch

Hope someone can offer me some advice on this.

I received this letter yesterday from "buchananclark + wells" at my address, but addressed to a man I've never heard of and whom I know for a fact has not lived at this address in the last 20 years, if ever at all.

Dear Sirs

Client: Hilco Receivables Europe Llc
Client Ref XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Outstanding Balance: £3,206.88

With reference to the above account wich relates to the Dell Computer you purchased with financing from C.I.T. Limited. We write to advise you that we, bcwgroup plc now hold the legal right ot collect the full outstanding amount including legal recovery through the court if necessary.

We understand that personal circumstances can change and we have a number of affordable repayment options we can offer you to assist in settling this matter. Our trained advisors are waiting to take your call on 0871 700 1567 and are available from 8am to 8 pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5 pm Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday.

Should you wish to settle this matter immediately by debit or credit card call out payment hotline on 0871 700 1567.

If you have any queries regarding this letter please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be able to help you. Always quote your reference number XXXXXXXXX when writing or calling.

If you fail to respond to this letter, we will have no option other than passing yor account to our debt collection division.

So, I rang them, told them I'd never heard of this man and he'd never lived here. Rude guy says "Oh, I have 5 different addresses for him here, I'll cross yours off". I say "I'm concerned this will have an effect on my credit rating", he says "No, it wont", I say "Can I have something in writing to that effect?", he says "Er, no".

Should I be worried, do I need to do anything, and if so, what? (And how is my address linked to this??!!).

Thanks in advance, folks.

black-saturn

Just ignore it. They can't take any money from you as your not the addressee. In future if you receive a letter not addressed to you just write 'not at this address, return to sender' on it and put it back in the post box unopened. Then they can't say that your lying to them.

nickyhutch

I know, I should never have opened the damn thing!! Just too nosy, I am!

amosworks

If it looks from a DCA or money related, I always open other peoples post that's come to my address. I avoided bailiffs for a previous tennant once doing that.

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

Well Its Not You Bin It Postman Pat Delivers To The Address Not The Person, Dont Ring They Will Not Believe You And Why Put Yourself Out Just Bin It ,

nickyhutch

Amos, that's exactly why I opened it. It's my house, and if they're looking for someone they think is living here, it's best to let them know he isn't, I thought. If I just ignored and ignored, the bailiffs would be round before lon!

amosworks

Well that's always been my view. Obvious junk mailings addressed to me or previous people get returned to sender unopened and have this stamped on the front as my gift to them...

From here:

amosworks wrote:

When I get loan or credit applications through the post, I reply with this. I've been doing it for a month and have yet to have any adverse reactions. I think it gets the point accross.

I haven't got time to read this crap

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

nickyhutch wrote:

Amos, that's exactly why I opened it. It's my house, and if they're looking for someone they think is living here, it's best to let them know he isn't, I thought. If I just ignored and ignored, the bailiffs would be round before lon!

YES BUT IF ITS NOT YOU WHY WORRY ITS THE DCA OR BAILIFFS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO THERE HOMEWORK IF THE BAILIFFS TOOK ANYTHING ITS THEFT AND ANY WAY THEY WILL NOT UNTIL THEY VERIFY YOU ARE WHO THEY THINK YOU ARE FORGET ABOUT IT

vickitoria100

happens to me all the time with the previous owner. it's a pain but don't just ignore them. call and follow up with a letter so you have proof. it's a myth that CCJs etc are registered against a property - it's not you so it won't go on your credit rating.

nickyhutch

I have one of those stamps at work......

PigginSkint

This has happened to me too -from the same company! A few years ago I kept getting letters addressed to someone I have never heard of I my address ( I have now been in my house 10 years and I know the name of the previous owners who had been there at least 5 years).

I kept returning them to sender unopened but they just kept coming. So in the end I opened one, phoned up the number printed on the letter, quoted the reference number and that was that - the letters stopped. That is until about 2 weeks ago when I got another one - from BCW (I can't remember who the previous ones were from). After the hassle last time I didn't bother returning it to send unopened I just opened it and phoned them up straight away.

I had no hesitation about doing this - if this man and his bad debts are linked with my address it could impact heavily on me, which is the last thing I want!