Neighbour getting calls from debt collectors

brclub

Hi guys,

As many of you know I was declared br in July. Today I had a knock on the door from my next door neighbour saying that they had a call from a company called GNC (he wasn't sure that was the actual name as he wasn't listening properly) asking questions about when I'm home etc. They said they've been trying to send me letters, but the only letters I've had are froma company called ccscollect.

I don't know how they got my neibours name and telephone number, I don't even know them that well.

What do i do about this? Without knowing who the company is I can't contact them to tell the about my br.

Are they allowed to still chase me 4 months after I've been made br? I thought all the worrying would stop after being made br but it's started me worrying again.

Thanks.

Ineedaname

So they telephoned your neighbours or called at the door?

Did they tell your neighbours why they wanted to contact you? If so, then they may have breached fair practice at the very least and potentially broken a law too.

So if you do find out who they are then you can not only tell them you are BR and they should not be chasing you, but also that you are going to report them for approaching your neighbours...

Creditors and DCAs do seem to like to try it on with BRs, maybe in the hope they'll come across someone who can be bullied into paying up even though they don't have to. Stand firm and know you are no longer responsible for paying your debts direct to your creditors, only via any IPA agreement agreed with your OR's office.

brclub

They phoned my neighbour and he called round saying that they'd done it. I don't think they said why they were contacting me as they were a bit stumped by the call... I just played dumb as I don't want my neighbours knowing my business.

Who would I report them to? I'm hoping they come round actually and I can tell them I'm going to report them.

Ineedaname

They shouldn't be contacting your neighbours at all and would have gone to quite a bit of trouble to identify your neighbours and then find their telephone number, even if that's just looking up name/address connections on the Post Office website and then ringing directory enquiries (if neighbours are not ex-directory - if they are then how the heck was their number sourced?)

Follow the link in my post above and there should be relevant info or further links to tell you who to report this activity to when the time comes.

vax2002

I would tell your neighbour that the calls are from a suspected burglar and you would be very minded if they did not give out any information to a unknown caller on the telephone.

brclub

Ineedaname wrote: »

They shouldn't be contacting your neighbours at all and would have gone to quite a bit of trouble to identify your neighbours and then find their telephone number, even if that's just looking up name/address connections on the Post Office website and then ringing directory enquiries (if neighbours are not ex-directory - if they are then how the heck was their number sourced?)

Follow the link in my post above and there should be relevant info or further links to tell you who to report this activity to when the time comes.

I followed the link but it took me to an American site, I don't think that would be relevant here would it?

I don't understand why this has happened anyway, surely the or has told everyone that I've now gone br and that should be the end of it.

I've found a couple of letters from a debt collector that I received towards the end of October, I'm wondering if this is the company trying to get hold of me. I'll give them a call in the morning and ask them if it's them contacting the neighbour. It's a company called ccs collect on behalf of Capquest Debt Recovery. I'll also let my or know what's happened!!

tigerfeet2006

Because departments don't talk to each other, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Debts are sold on and although the firms should do their homework they don't. They do their homework but think lets give it a punt anyway, we may scare them into giving us something.

When you find out who it is, send them this letter, recorded and adjusted for your circumstances

Your Address

Date:

Creditor's Name
Address.

NOTICE: Pursuit of a debt included in a bankruptcy. Do not ignore this letter. You must cease collection activity IMMEDIATELY.

Dear Sir/Madam

Account No: *****************

You have contacted us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by ourselves.

I would point out that the account was included in my bankruptcy which commenced on <date>.

Consequently, the debt in question is no longer my legal responsibility.

ALL contacts and claims regarding the debt MUST be addressed to the Official Receiver's Office dealing with the case.

My case was XXX of 200X, at <somewhere> County Court, and the address of the Official Receiver is below.

<Address of the OR.>

A copy of the bankruptcy order is enclosed for your convenience.

Please note that the Official Receiver has requested that all future contact from your company regarding these accounts is reported and forwarded to themselves, and that continued contact with myself may result in Official Receiver taking enforcement actions against your organisation.

Please also note that we are familiar with the ‘Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance’ which states that it is unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when the debt is not due.

In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore, ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

In addition, your continued telephone calls are in breach of the Office of Fair Trading guidelines. If you continue with them after the receipt of this letter an official complaint, together with a log recording the times and frequency of the calls will be passed both to that office and to the Trading Standards office.

This type of debt collection method is contrary to the ‘Administration of Justice Act 1970’ in that it is intended to cause alarm and distress to the recipient. Your methods will not be tolerated. A formal complaint will be submitted to the relevant authorities. This will be relevant to questions of your fitness to hold a licence under the Consumer Credit Act, whether or not it results in a prosecution.

Take further note that continued telephone calls after the receipt of a request not to call may constitute a criminal offence under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

We await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed.

We look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully



A N Other


with thanks to the lovely Fermi for the brilliant template.

Ineedaname

Whoops! Sorry about that, thought it was the UK CAG site. Will go find another appropriate link and amend the post above. EDIT: That's more like it, now links to the financial ombudsman information about debt collectors and what they can and should not do.

To be honest, I wouldn't go contacting creditors if you're not sure which one it is. So far they haven't embarrassed you by divulging personal information to your neighbours, albeit they shouldn't have contacted the neighbours in the first place. I'd let sleeping dogs lie on this one until they contact you direct and then deal with it. Once Tigerfeet says, once you know who they are you can send the above letter knowing it is going to the right company.

What might have happened is one of your creditors may have sold their debt on and this is a new company you've never heard from before who is chasing. The idiots rarely do any searches before the contact the debtor so may not be aware you are BR through their own lackadaisical attitude. Also, if haven't made themselves aware you are BR, as I inferred above, they think they can still get away with chasing you in the hope you'll pay up just to get rid of them...

brclub

A bit of an update for you all...

I left a note with my neighbour saying if this company called again to call my mobile.

Well I got the call today and I think it was from a company called GMC or GCM who apparently have a letter for me. They can only deliver it between 9&5 so had to give them my work address.

The letter they're trying to deliver is from Shoosmiths, a solicitors. Does anyone know what this could be and why the company trying to deliver it can only deliver during the day?

I had an awful nights sleep last night with worry, first time I've felt like this since before going br. I hope I can get this sorted out soon

Ineedaname

I would say that's their problem if you're not home during the day when they want to deliver the letter by hand. It's certainly not up to you to let them know your whereabouts so they can come find you.

GCM could be Grosvenor Credit Management...

I really wouldn't worry, I think Shoosmiths act for DCAs so it's probably about debt you are no longer responsible for. If they ever do get the letter to you then you have the sample letter above to send straight back to get them to go away.

tigerfeet2006

I wouldn't overly worry about it. Just print off a copy of the bog off letter, adjusted to your circumstances and a copy of your bankruptcy order and hand them to whom ever tries to give you any paperwork and tell them the good news.