Not my debt

Rosie_Thorn

Hi All,

I'm afraid this is a bit of a long story so I hope you'll bear with me.

I bought my house nearly 6 years ago and the lady I bought it from said that she was moving in with her aunt temporarily and that once her aunt had sold they were going to buy a property together (I'm in Dorset, aunt is apparently in Devon). On the day we moved she left masses of 'rubbish', the house was filthy and she left no forwarding address. I just stuck post for her back in the post box marked 'return to sender-gone away' and took the rubbish to the tip and thought no more of it. About two months later Royal Mail sent me a card saying that a request for post redirection for her name at my address had been set up and was I happy with this. I said yes.

About 9 months later a debt collector turned up chasing a debt for her. They had written to her and heard nothing (post had obviously been redirected by Royal Mail). I explained that she had moved and he went away. I had about 5 debt collectors over the next year all chasing different debts. All of them went away when I explained the situation. (She even dumped her car and the council (who were going to dispose of it) came round to give 'me' a bill.)

About 2 years ago I started getting post for her - presumably the redirection had come to an end - and I sent it all back as 'gone away'. I did receive two letters addressed to 'the occupier' and they were both from debt collectors chasing her and trying to find out more info. I told them that she sold the house to me December 2005 and I had no forwarding address. The letters stopped.

Now the letters have started again. I did open one cos it was on very expensive stationery and I'd already sent one the same back saying 'gone away'. It would appear that she has run up more debts in Devon and used this address when credit checks were done. (They were quite happy to accept that she doesn't live here - they hadn't yet received their earlier 'returned' letter but speaking to my postman I've discovered it can take months to return anything that isn't DWP or Tax Office.)

Is there any way that I can flag this up with the credit check agencies so that she does not show as being at my address? I know I can just send letters back and tell any debt collectors that do turn up to go away but I'd rather they didn't contact me in the first place. All the debt collectors so far have abided by the OFTs guidlines and accepted my word that she doesn't live here but a couple of friends have had some pretty nasty ones (for ex husband's debts) and whilst I'm no wimp I do live alone and don't really want anyone turning up late at night or being overly aggressive.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

RAS

Check the electoral roll locally in case she is still on there.

Check your own credit records just in case (there should be no link to her based on what you say, but check) and maybe contact CIFAS?

Rosie_Thorn

She's not on the electoral register and my credit reference is excellent (I checked it about 10 weeks ago).

The amount of debt she has, you would think that she wouldn't be able to get any more credit for anything but she obviously does.

Rosie_Thorn

I've had a look at the CIFAS website. They say that if you've been a victim of identity theft then you should let one of the 3 credit reference agencies know (they will tell the otehr two) to be wary of any applications in my name. Although this isn't quite my situation as it's my address not my name that's the problem I thought I'd write to them anyway and see what they say.