Had demands for debts that aren't yours? Template letter to send

FATDOG_3

cello57 wrote: »

My wife has been receiving letters from a company called Buchanan Clark and Wells regarding a debt for 217.79 that we do not recall - meaning that it is either not hers or is well beyond the statute of 6 years.

They are very insistent, and have also caused letters to be sent from a genuine solicitor (Geoffrey Parker Bourne) even though we have sent a version of the template letter to both of the companies involved. They are now calling us to arrange a 'visitation' (their word) by a Debt Investigation Officer.

'Bring them on' is my answer. If these people want to waste their time with me then fine. But it does worry me how these bullying tactics would affect someone less aware.

This subject needs much wider publicity.

I have just received a letter from the same company .After ringing them to explain this debt was not mine,they have now arranged a personal visit from a debt investigation officer.I think it may be a bailiff can anyone advise me before I open the door?

AMILLIONDOLLARS

Don't let them in:eek:, I think I've read somewhere if you let them in, its considered an open invitation, and they could come again whilst you're out and clean you out.

I would write again and be firm, decline their offer of an investigation officer, you could be opening a pandora box:eek: :eek:. My hubby had a letter from a DCA, I wrote and included a copy of the government's/trading standards guidelines with the relevants points highlighted, we never heard from them again.

Its worth a try.

AMD

Steve888_2

Hi all. I am so glad I found this forum and this thread. It's taken me a while, but I have been experiencing an on-going problem similar to this for almost three years now. Your help on the matter would help me a lot because it's worrying me a little, and I'm not sure what to do.

I bought a new house in 2004 and shortly after moving in, there were letters sent to my address, but the person listed on the address was not me, and does not live there. This was rather peculiar because the house I bought is a brand new house, so did not have any previous occupiers. I contacted Royal Mail, and they just told me to return the letters with "Return to Sender. Not known at address" written on it.

Since then I have received letters from a variety of different people. It appears many different people are using my address. I haven't opened any of them and just threw them back in the mail box, but I am getting so sick of doing so.

Last week, a letter was sent to my address from a mortgage company. Although the name wasn't mine, I decided to call the mortgage company up and track it down. The customer services represntative informed me that the person is not on thier database, and to send the letter back. What is peculiar is that if the person is not on the database, then how could a letter be printed and distributed?

At the moment, I have three letters that were sent to my address, but not to me. All have different names. One is from Specsavers (??). I googled the address on the back of the other letter, and it appears to have the address of the Ifa Promotion Office on it (17-19 Emery Road, Bristol, BS4 5PF). I am worried this may be debt collectors also.

In a way, I am not worried because the letters are not addressed to me in name, but it so frustrating. I have been doing this for three years and would like it to end. I'm not sure why I have been recevieing letters from different people. How did they get my address and why?

Would the CAB be a good place to go to for help?

golddustmedia

Steve888 wrote: »

I bought a new house in 2004 and shortly after moving in, there were letters sent to my address, but the person listed on the address was not me, and does not live there.

It's most likely the postcode that's your problem.

I live on a new estate and neighbours have had similar problems.

The fault is that royal mail update their postcode list every few months with the valid house numbers for your postcode. The postcode database royal mail keep is available to purchase by companies for example by insurance or mail order companies. However it's rather expensive.

As such companies don't want to buy it very often, perhaps just once a year.

SO, this will affect you like this;
Say a neighbour wants to buy car insurance or other services. They get a quote but what a surprise THEIR house number isn't on the company database for your postcode, however your number is.

An example of this was on my estate where the post office put only 5 numbers in for my postcode and every insurer I contacted didn't have my number for nearly 2 years. SO whenever I got insurance quotes the operator kept putting in whatever numbers they could, as such a silly amount of my post and parcels has ended up with a neighbour simply because the companies computer wasn't up to date enough to know my house existed.

I'd suggest comparing the names of the letters you've recieved with other residents on your street or postcode, you'll likely find a match.

melg1973

Hi there

I started a thread this morning as my hubbie recieved a letter from Geoffrey Parker Bourne Solicitors regarding a debt that may or may not be his (if it is his its from about 10 years ago) and was directed onto this thread.

Have looked at the two templates at the beginning of the thread and am unsure whether to use either/combination or just ignore. The letter was only addressed using husbands initial and then Sir/Madam so they don't have many details. The first template from Martin seems to be for if you definitely know the debt isn't yours and the 2nd one which mentions the 6 year rule seems to be for if you do know it is yours. How can we best find out if it is this debt from 10 years ago without incriminating him/giving them further details? (I noticed the post that suggested that possibly if you acknowledge the debt the 6 years starts again). Would it be best to do one of those credit report things? He's never been refused credit since and went onto my mortgage OK etc. I've never done one of them before so not sure what info they give you.

Any help would be gratefully received.;)

tomterm8

melg1973 wrote: »

Hi there

I started a thread this morning as my hubbie recieved a letter from Geoffrey Parker Bourne Solicitors regarding a debt that may or may not be his (if it is his its from about 10 years ago) and was directed onto this thread.

Have looked at the two templates at the beginning of the thread and am unsure whether to use either/combination or just ignore. The letter was only addressed using husbands initial and then Sir/Madam so they don't have many details. The first template from Martin seems to be for if you definitely know the debt isn't yours and the 2nd one which mentions the 6 year rule seems to be for if you do know it is yours. How can we best find out if it is this debt from 10 years ago without incriminating him/giving them further details? (I noticed the post that suggested that possibly if you acknowledge the debt the 6 years starts again). Would it be best to do one of those credit report things? He's never been refused credit since and went onto my mortgage OK etc. I've never done one of them before so not sure what info they give you.

Any help would be gratefully received.;)

Use the first letter. Registered Mail. This letter requires them to prove the debt is yours.

Do a credit check, too, but wait for a fortnight.

dollybird

I have had two letters from a company called LCS one was a formal demand and the second was a final demand for £48.08 for scottish power. The letters have the same initials as mine but the name is incorrect. I have never used scottish Power and I have been with the same supplier for 35 years.

I sent the 1st letter back saying not known at this address but now I have had the formal demand and am not sure what to do. The letter says that either a local representative will call or I will receive a solicitors letter.

Can anyone help.

dollybird

I have just received a final demand for a debt that is not in my name the company concerned is LCS I have sent the formal demand letter back saying not known at this address the only reason I opened it was because the name was similiar to mine. I have contacted them twice by telephone the last phonecall I made this morning which was a waste of time because they cut me off. They said that I had lived at this other address where the debt originated but I have lived at my present address for 36 years she then proceeded to say that it was my sons debt as he lived at the other address also but he has only just moved into his own house and he had lived at home for 28 years. The debt is for scottish power which has never been my supplier.
Can anyone advise if I am doing the right thing sending the letters back after all they are not in my name.

maxfactor_3

My advice after seeing Bailifs in action on a tv proggrame is dont let them put a foot in your doorway,as soon as you open the door if they get the foot in they believe they can come straight in.Also I heard too thet if a company contacts you within the 6 years the 6 years starts all over again.Without predudice always wondered what that meant,I had it written on an old reference of mine meaning if I ran riots they accept no responsibility for saying how nice and reliable I am LOL Oh Dollybird I would def phone them up again till the penny drops, ask to speak to a supervisor put it in writing if necc personally If its to a different name I send them back they usually have got the message after all you can prove you and your family have lived there and its not even your name.I wouldnt worry they havent got a leg to stand on.Deal with scottish power they can check you on the electoral role this debt company is just trying their luck.

maninthestreet

maxfactor wrote: »

My advice after seeing Bailifs in action on a tv programe is dont let them put a foot in your doorway,as soon as you open the door if they get the foot in they believe they can come straight in.Also I heard too thet if a company contacts you within the 6 years the 6 years starts all over again.Without predudice always wondered what that meant,I had it written on an old reference of mine meaning if I ran riots they accept no responsibility for saying how nice and reliable I am LOL Oh Dollybird I would def phone them up again till the penny drops, ask to speak to a supervisor put it in writing if necc personally If its to a different name I send them back they usually have got the message after all you can prove you and your family have lived there and its not even your name.I wouldnt worry they havent got a leg to stand on.Deal with scottish power they can check you on the electoral role this debt company is just trying their luck.

DCA's and Bailiffs are not the same, thought they are often confused.
Bailiffs are appointed by the Courts in order to enforce a court order that has been awarded for the collection of a debt. A DCA is merely an agency used
to attempt to recover a debt owed - they are not appointed by the Courts, and will attempt to recover the debt by 'persuasion' first, then resort to court action.

As for the 6 year rule, I believe the 6 years starts from when the debt was last acknowledged.