Being chased for a debt.....again!

gemms2000

Sorry, I'm new here so this may have already been answered or may be in completly the wrong area!

At the beginning of this year I was chased for a debt from Severn Trent for a property in Mansfield that I have never heard of nor lived in. I spoke to Severn Trent who confirmed all my details matched those that they had, fortunately as the person pretending to be me was also claiming benefits our national insurance didn't match so they took my name and details off the files and said it was all sorted and I would not hear from them again.

Fast forward 6 months to this week....

I have just been called by Adventis about £152 that I owe to Severn Trent for the same property in Mansfield.

What should I do??

I now have the same sinking feeling of dread and misery that I had before that almost ruined my wedding (I managed to sort this out last time 3 days before I got married!)

Do I go to Severn Trent and explain again that this isn't me, they have the wrong person or do I seek some legal advice regarding Severn Trent selling on my details again??

Any help/thoughts appreciated as I can see this ruining my Christmas

Thanks

Gemma xxx

halibut2209

Tell Adventis that the debt is denied and that they must refer it back to Severn Trent. Any further communication from them will be considered harrassment and you will take appropriate action should it continue

gemms2000

Hi,

I've told them that and they have told me that I must provide proof of this, that they require a letter from Severn Trent and the previous debt company neither of which I doubt I have as I don't remember receiving any.

I can sense an evening of hunting for anything I have!

texranger

gemms2000 wrote: »

Hi,

I've told them that and they have told me that I must provide proof of this, that they require a letter from Severn Trent and the previous debt company neither of which I doubt I have as I don't remember receiving any.

I can sense an evening of hunting for anything I have!

no all you need to phone them and say its in dispute/denied and then they must pass this back to Severn Trent

unholyangel

gemms2000 wrote: »

Hi,

I've told them that and they have told me that I must provide proof of this, that they require a letter from Severn Trent and the previous debt company neither of which I doubt I have as I don't remember receiving any.

I can sense an evening of hunting for anything I have!

No, they're lying. Its up to them to prove the debt belongs to you. Its not up to you to prove it doesnt!

Deny the debt and tell them if they continue to contact you without providing proof that you are liable for the debt, that you'll report them. Not just to OFT but also to ICO.

If you are communicating via phone, put your complaint in writing too. Dont go into details. Just say you do not acknowledge the debt, you have asked them to provide proof that the debt belongs to you, that you have asked them to refer back to severn trent and they have refused to do so. Say you are formally informing them that the details they hold are incorrect and if they fail to take reasonable steps to ascertain their records are accurate along with continue to chase you for a debt which you have no liability for without proving your liability, you will report them to the ICO for breach of DPA and to OFT for not complying with guidelines set for debt collectors.

Send it recorded delivery and keep a copy for your own records. You can also contact Severn Trent and request they update their records so they are not in breach of DPA also. Btw it is possible to claim compensation for a breach of DPA. While i am usually against compensation culture where no loss or harm has been incurred, there are some instances i do feel its warranted. Check your credit rating and see if anything is registered against you by them.

wealdroam

This thread will be of help...
UPDATED OFT Guidance on Debt Collection - READ IF YOU ARE BEING HASSLED UNFAIRLY

Also, post #2 on this thread contains a sample letter you might consider sending...
Standard template letters to creditors etc

Other letters on that thread may be a better option.

mo786uk

When you tell them you are disputing it,they should go back to Severn Trent and find out whether the dispute is valid - they are unlikely to just say 'sorry guv' and close the account forever.

As Severn appear to have given your details out after you have already told them it was wrogn I woudl be inclided to rpeort to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct.