Real Life MMD: Should I help debt agency find colleague?

dragracingwidow

I have been in a similar situation, where my ex ran up a huge amount of debts and then skipped the country, after telling them all that he had moved to my address. Unfortunately, I still had my married name and so I ended up with debt collection agencies contacting me by letter and telephone and eventually bailiffs knocking at my door.
I ended up having to send copies of my divorce, etc; and believe me, if i had known where he had gone, I would have told them. It made my life hell and my landlord was having serious doubts about me.
I ended up having to go back to my maiden name - and had to do it via deed-poll - so it cost me money; as well as all the time and money I had spent trying to deal with these people that were harrassing me for someone else's debt.
I would suggest that you speak to your boss, as it is making your working day uncomfortable and see what they advise. they may then choose to take the next call - and then it would be their decision if the correct work contact details are given out.
It is a bit worrying that this person has been avoiding the problem for a year - as even if it is a genuine error, by just ignoring it, as it is just making the matter worse.
good luck.

Saetana

NO! How would you like it if someone did that to you? Next time they ring, just be very firm and say "this person is NOT at this number any more, please do not ring again", if they persist then ask to speak to a manager and tell them you are sick of getting calls for another person when you have already asked them to stop.

pinkystan

Besides, debt collectors are morally bankrupt- worse than ambulance chasers.

But for some of us who are owed money they provide a service that in 18 months we haven't had from the courts. Why is it morally bankrupt to want your money back?

Saetana

joannie wrote: »

Well. sorry folks, I think she should give them any info she has. Her friend has had and spent the money. It is us as honest citizens that end up paying higher costs because of those who do not pay back what they owe.

Are you psychic? How do you know that this friend/collegue actually owes this money? Are you SURE the OP wouldn't be breaching data protection laws by giving out information about a colleague, because I'm not! You know nothing about this case other than the fact the OP is getting phone calls at work from a debt agency for a person who is no longer on that phone number so please don't make assumptions. I know from personal experience that debt collecting agencies are disgusting, they make their money out of other people's misery and would never give anyone up to them. The colleague is working and the company should be able to easily trace her with a little effort, don't advise an individual to do something that may possibly be illegal please!

Saetana

JoannaS wrote: »

Why would they be chasing her if she didn't spend the money?

Gods, the naivety, it could be a debt from a prior occupant of the same address, an ex-partner, an out-and-out mistake or any number of things!

milvusvestal

All too often, claims such as these are spurious and threaten legal action, but would not stand up in court. You do not need to know, and have no need to get yourself involved in, the circumstances leading to the agency's pursuit of your colleague, so leave well alone and, if they bother you again, report them for harassment if they don't agree to cease.

You might feel bad about it on moral grounds, but you have no obligation to make the work of the debt collection agency easier by passing on information. Let it do the job it is paid to do and, if that means it has to work harder to track down your colleague, so be it.

JoannaS_3

drussii wrote: »

JoannaS, you are obviously not aware that these parasites often phish for people with the same name as someone who has a debt and has moved home, emigrated or just died!. Engage brain before opening mouth and if you have been lucky enough to cruise through life with no problems then great for you but understand that there are many people out there who have lost their jobs, homes and self respect just because greedy banks and greedy politicians have messed up the economy and someone else always has to pay the price. Count yourself as fortunate that you are not one and stop judging people and situations that you have no knowledge of.

No clearly I wasn't aware that debt collectors "phish" for people with the same name!!

No judging has gone on on my part so there's no need to be so rude!!! We are all affected by the "greedy banks and greedy politicians" in one way or another.....I don't think anyone gets away with cruising through life and just becuase I haven't had an encounter with a debt collector doesn't mean I've had it easy!!

This site is here so we can offer our opinions and support so I don't expect such a venemous response to something I am perfectly entitled to say!!!

Just because I haven't had the negative experiences that you clearly have doesn't give you the right to take your frustration out on me by being insulting!!!

Good luck with whatever you're going through!!!!

JoannaS_3

Saetana wrote: »

Gods, the naivety, it could be a debt from a prior occupant of the same address, an ex-partner, an out-and-out mistake or any number of things!

Well thank you for pointing it out to me and putting an end to my "naivety"......Didn't realise I was supposed to know everything!! :wall:

bogwart

I have no wish to be discourteous, but are you of sound mind? What has someone else's alleged debt have to do with you? Tell the duns to cease and desist calling you - they have no authority to bug you. They have no legal right to harrass you and you should threaten to report them to whoever (I am sure you find details on this site) polices their activities. This is outrageous behaviour.

wildthing01

the only reason this is posing a dilemma is because your colleague happens to still work at your company. if she had left and you didn't know where she was, then there would be no problem.

so - don't tell the debt agency anything - don't get involved. if they continue to harrass you, then you can either write them a letter threatening action for harrassment, or contact HR or your line manager to deal with them (you could probably do this without mentionning your colleague's name, if that worries you).