Debt Collectors phoning neighbours.

kathfisch

Kevicho wrote: »

If people get me ALL the information together i could have this on a proper site within 2 weeks

Could we not have the information here? I don't mean anything against you kev, I think its fab of you to offer, but is there a specific reason it should be a separate site? We'd have to be sure to direct people to it from here if so.

Kath

Feux_Verts

Either way - we need to get this information into the public domain.

If we need to do it on a separate site then so be it, but it would be great if Martin and his team were to take it on board here.

What we need are as many examples as possible of these things happening.

Let's do it!!

Feux_Verts

GirlRacer wrote: »

Don't DCA's have to abide by the Data Protection Act, surely they can't inform a neighbour that they are chasing you for money.

That's exactly the point GR - they are NOT supposed to but THEY DO!

They think they are above the law.

kathfisch

Feux_Verts wrote: »

Either way - we need to get this information into the public domain.

If we need to do it on a separate site then so be it, but it would be great if Martin and his team were to take it on board here.

What we need are as many examples as possible of these things happening.

Let's do it!!

I don't think there's any doubt that these underhand and illegal tactics are used, and its certainly not the first time they've been discussed on these boards.

What is it that you hope to achieve by putting this information 'into the public domain'? Not to say it shouldn't be, I just think anyone setting up such a site should be clear about its aims. Are you looking to advise on what DCAs are/are not allowed to do, or to 'name and shame' individual DCAs and incidents? Personally I think anyone prepared to compile all the relevant information and advice into a single post (a sticky perhaps?) would be doing this board a great service, I often find newbies asking about the actions of DCAs and who they can be reported to, what they can/cannot do etc. I do not have the knowledge myself but a thread or user to direct them to would be very useful.

Another website is an attractive idea but you can't beat this site for really helping the people who are going through it.

kathfisch

Also have a look at this thread: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=392841

littleazb

I can sympathise with anyone this has happened to. About a year ago my neighbour stopped my husband and I in the street and said she had a number for us as "an old friend" of my husband's was repeatedly ringing her to put a note through our door.

When my husband rang it was a debt collection company chasing a debt from 8 years ago. We were mortified thinking about how many other people in the street they must have rang, especially since we do not even know our neighbours!

Feux_Verts

kathfisch wrote: »

What is it that you hope to achieve by putting this information 'into the public domain'?

What I hope to achieve - quite simply - is to have this practice stopped. The more we publicise what these people are doing then the better chance we have of making them comply with the law. Yes - I'm happy to name and shame, in may case it was Welcome Financial Services who telephoned my elderly neighbour, who in turn panicked thinking it a "death message" and gave them my father-in-laws number. They told him they were collecting a debt - blatant breach of the DPA and of the OFT guidelines. That was a few years ago and I have since had a written apology from them - only after I threatened Court action (which at that time I couldn't have afforded).


Elderly neighbours being put into a panic because they "need" to pass on what they are being told is an "urgent" message, when actually it's just a call centre collector trying to up his bonus, is plain and simply WRONG.

Feux_Verts

littleazb wrote: »

I repeatedly ringing her to put a note through our door.

How dare they!! One call is intrusion enough, do you know the company? Name and Shame them please.

Kevicho

Someone types in to google DCA for instance will probably find a dedicated site as opposed to this one

I may struggle to get on the net this week but ill try my best

JET34

I have had a number of calls for my downstairs neighbour I wouldn't mind but i'm supposed to be exdirectory!! I have also had letter's for them too.