Debt Collection Agency phone calls

Sir_Osis_of_Liver

HELP!!!

I live in a shared house with my housemate and his partner.

My housemate has debt collection agencies hounding him by letter, despite the debts they're chasing being too old to CCJ.

However, a couple of DCAs have now somehow (we're ex-directory) got hold of our landline number and are sending texts and/or recorded messages to it stating that my housemate has to call them urgently. We get these texts/calls about 4-5 times a week. I work shifts, so they are waking me up when I'm on nights and it's beginning to drive me insane!!!

My housemate refuses to answer or return the calls, and he shreds all the letters, so they just carry on calling.

Is there any way I can get them to stop, without actually admitting that he lives here or otherwise?

I don't want to have to have the number changed (the line is registered to me) because it's too much hassle.

Any ideas?

bottleofred

They're not guaranteed to listen, but get your friend to send the letter below recorded delivery. He could also speak to each debt collection agency once and explain that he will only communicate with them in writing.

Dear Sirs,

Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing. I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls and I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only. I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine. Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company may be recorded and used in evidence and I expect this harassment to cease immediately.

Yours faithfully

Sir_Osis_of_Liver

Thanks, that's useful.

My housemate is refusing to have any contact with the companies whatsoever, even if it is just to tell them to leave us alone, so I'm not sure I'll be able to get him to agree to write to them.

I certainly won't lie for him, but I won't grass him up either - we had a knock on the door from one of those "customer reconnection" agents (or whatever they're called) a few months back, asking for him, so I just answered "I'm sorry, I can't help you," and shut the door on him.

vax2002

Sir_Osis_of_Liver wrote: »

Thanks, that's useful.

My housemate is refusing to have any contact with the companies whatsoever, even if it is just to tell them to leave us alone, so I'm not sure I'll be able to get him to agree to write to them.

I certainly won't lie for him, but I won't grass him up either - we had a knock on the door from one of those "customer reconnection" agents (or whatever they're called) a few months back, asking for him, so I just answered "I'm sorry, I can't help you," and shut the door on him.

He is following good advice then, ignore barred debt bunny boilers.
Once they get a hit he exists , the harassment will really start.
I have found the only solution to persistent phone pests is anonymous vulgar abuse .

barbiedoll

If his debts are "too old to CCJ", I assume that you mean that they have dropped off his credit file, are at least 6 years old or that he has not paid a penny towards them for at least 6 years?

If so, why doesn't he just write them the Statute Barred letter, informing them that he isn't going to pay? (Without acknowledging the debts of course )

Maybe then, you will get some sleep!

jojo1964

Or simply unplug the phone while asleep.

Gordon_Hose

Or beat his selfish face with the handset?