Doorstep debt collection

AndrewAfresh

I have accidentally opened a letter addressed to a former tenant of mine. The letter threatens a “doorstep collection visit to recover your outstanding balance”.


Is there a chance that the collector will force entry to my home and seize my property? Will they believe me telling them the tenant has moved and just leave me alone?

Tixy

No. A doorstop collector has no rights to enter anyone's property, let alone force entry - not even if it was the person who owed the debt. A debt collector is just a person knocking on the door to say please pay your debt, they are not bailiffs and have no powers to take any goods.

I would put the envelope back in the post, marked not at the address. In the unlikely event a debt collector turns up it matters not whether they believe the old tenant has moved - just tell them to leave.

ampafc

I have never "accidentaly" opened someone else's mail.

Just saying, like.

Janie4Now

ampafc wrote: »

I have never "accidentaly" opened someone else's mail.

Just saying, like.

Well I have, and I would never knowingly do it! If an envelope addressed to someone else is in a pile of your own mail - and you're not expecting mail for someone else at your address - then it's a quite easy thing to do!

Mozette

Janie4Now wrote: »

Well I have, and I would never knowingly do it! If an envelope addressed to someone else is in a pile of your own mail - and you're not expecting mail for someone else at your address - then it's a quite easy thing to do!

Especially if I don't have my glasses on!:cool:

27col

Apart from the fact that it is extremely unlikely that anyone will call. It is not the address that owes the money, it is a person, and that person is not you.
Anyway, debt collectors have no more power to seize goods than do you or I. All they can do is to ask nicely. They will not be asking you, as it is not your debt. Just tell them that you have no idea who they are looking for and suggest that they go forth and multiply.

Treadmill

Have got a forwarding address for the former tenant ? I would pass that on to the company that sent the letter, saves you wasted effort having to answer the door and deal with a debt collector.