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

jgriggle

I usually can't stand people who are rude to telesales folk as they're just doing their job.

Nasty, parasitic debt collectors however are fair game in my opinion. They are right down there with wheel clampers.

The best thing to do is tell them you don't know where where your colleague is, and that even if you did you wouldn't tell them. Tell them to stop calling your number.

If they still persist, every time they ring tell them 'Oh yes, Mr Longwait is dealing with that. I'll just put you through'.

You know the rest...

They'll soon give up.

The main thing to remember is that debt collection agencies are just private companies with no legal authority whatsoever. They can make any threats they like but ultimately it's only the courts who can send bailiffs.

Once you realise this you can have lots of fun with them!

jamespir

no keep out of it its nothing to do with you how would you feel if they did the same to you

pthompson

Maybe I'm being naive here, but if your colleague owes a debt, then someone somewhere is out-of-pocket as a result -- and deserves to get their money back.

I'm surprised that most of this thread's contributors don't appear to have empathy for the creditor. Is it OK to avoid repaying my debts so long as I can avoid those who were trusting enough to lend to me?

robynprincess

Its suprising to read how many on here have suggested getting involved. I certainly would tell them that if they carry on calling the number that you have TOLD them isnt hers, you will take the matter further but that is personally as far as i would go.

dronid

My inclination would be to not pass on any personal details of members of staff where I work. If the company wished to deal with another company then they would be phoning the human resources area. They’re still phoning your number as they have not updated their records.

Essentially these are the points.

· A debt collection agency is repeatedly harassing you rather than speaking to your company to get contact details for the officer they claim has a debt against them.
· You have informed the agency that you are not the officer in question and asked that they remove your number from their list. They have failed to do so.
· You have informed your colleague of the calls. You have no idea if they have contacted the agency back but that is none of your business.
· You have evidence that the debt collection agency is less than professional as they have not removed your number from their database.
· Inform them of your managers’ telephone number and ask them to deal with the calls on a corporate basis. It is not your job to decide what should happen as you’re at work. Any decisions that are taken should be done so by your company who are the ones who the debt collection agency are wasting the money by these fatuous calls.

This is not a criminal case. You are not reporting your colleague to the police for a crime. You have no evidence that there is even any legitimate debt. Do not get involved!

I have experienced 'debt collector' harassment before. I decided to live in London and for a number of years ended up renting and so moving house regularly. On many occasions I have received debt collection letters for previous occupants – or more recently relating to my property of 10 years in a different name. It has made me realise that these agencies are rarely, if ever, professional. I remember getting a call about a car loan for someone with a very different name to myself. I informed the agency that no one of that name had lived at my property for at least six years. They took my details and tried to call me as though the debt was mine, rather scuppered by the fact that I don’t drive. Technically you are not allowed to open other peoples post but I’ve been regularly threatened with bailiffs over the years because of the pursuit of other people and returning the letters open-ended did not resolve the situation. The issue about whether the other person does or does not owe money is none of your business. The issue about the agency wasting your work time is. Resolve the issue you have and boot the call upstairs for a manager to deal with.

nancypearl

I would say that she is not on this extension any more, and that I will put them through to switchboard.
Nothing more.


On a similar note, I have had a bad experience with someone who borrowed from family members, got married, changed her name (from a very unusual name to a very common name), then moved away, leaving behind all of her other debts - credit cards etc. Not only were the family never to see any of the borrowed money again (spent on a car, clothes, holidays, wedding stuff) but the family had to constantly return mail and screen phone calls for months from debt collection agencies.

It was so difficult. It was like a drug addict. What do you do? When someone in your family says that they need the money to pay for car insurance or food then they spend it on something else and they are getting a cash advance to pay their credit cards, it is hard to see them like that.

Dave_Montford

:A

Absolutely not, they may even be a rogue company, and I would not give anyone details on a colleague, if they found out you had done it, imagine the atmosphere at work, this is one time it would pay to keep schtum.

meknowalot-51

Don't tell the agency anything,instead you should see the woman and stress that they keep calling you.Ask if she needs help at all and offer advice as to ways of budgeting.I say this because some people out there are as thick as 2 planks when it comes to finance.She is quite obviousely spending more than is coming in or just doesn't care one bit.Either way you should tell her this problem is not going away and needs sorting.If she flatly refuses your help then feel free to pass on the info next time they call.

dronid

RadoJo wrote: »

I'm surprised that so many people are happy to assume that the OP's colleague doesn't owe the money and are prepared to make offensive and aggressive comments to those who suggest she might be liable for the debt.

Certainly no one should be aggressive on here and I’m in no way suggesting that the colleague does not owe anything. However it is still none of your business, and, as the calls are at your work, which is highly inappropriate of the debt collection agency, you should refer the calls up to your HR section or manager.

If the situation was different and the agency was calling your home and were persistent and wouldn’t remove your details from their database, you would become frustrated and annoyed at the agency much more easily. And if your bosses knew you were being harassed by phone at work needlessly they’re likely to feel the same about the agency.

Making any assumptions about the nature of your colleague’s debt or other circumstances – if there are any - or comments about people thinking of the defrauded creditors are in this case irrelevant. You are at work. It is not your job to deal with it. It is up to your manager to prevent it.

A.Jones

I'd give them the boss's phone number. Then they can deal with it.