Been contacted by DCA for "address verification"

kahoutek

Hi all,

First time post, so apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I received a card yesterday from 2F (aka Wescot Credit Services). Information is limited, just my name, address, a reference number and their phone number with instructions to call. Spoke to them this afternoon and all they would tell me was that it was for address verification. The partial address they gave me was for a flat I lived in for ~2 months about 9.5 years ago. I moved into my girlfriend's flat for the few weeks between me selling my old house and us buying our current place. I can't imagine what it relates to - the only thing I can think of is that I wrote to Barclaycard a few months ago requesting a statement (as evidence for a potential PPI claim) and it's possible that is that last address they had. Seems unlikely though. Any ideas or thoughts on how I should proceed? They said they won't give me details unless I can confirm the flat number and post code - I could do that but I'm naturally cautious! I'm certain I have no debits from that period.

Thanks,

Kahoutek

rizla_king

If they won't even tell you what it's about then ignore the fools.

kahoutek

Sounds fair enough. Thanks.

Granariesgirl

Hi Kahoutek -

I think your caution is well-founded. Somehow I don't think they want your address so they can send you flowers!

If I understand correctly from reading many of the threads on here:
1) No company can legally chase you for a debt that hasn't been active (County Court Judgement, your payments, the creditor contacting you) for 6 years - it is "statute barred". If the address is from so long ago then the debt, if it IS yours, is probably well past its sell-by date.
2) The above doesn't stop DCAs from "fishing" & contacting people who have the same name as a debtor, or trying to enforce a statute barred debt with calls,threats etc. & hoping to frighten someone into paying up even if they don't owe the money!
3) If they chase you for a debt that you know nothing about, the first thing you do is send the first letter in this link (proper snail mail & signed for) : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247
4) You refuse all contact after the letter UNLESS written & you complain IN WRITING to the relevant authorities if they do not comply - same link, later posts.

However they haven't chased you yet, they've just tried a cast of their line to see what bites... I'd be tempted to lie low & see what happens then if they start hassling, pull out all the MSE advised stops & bite their patooties off so they don't come fishing in your pool again.


Having said that, I'm not an expert on the subject & maybe there's a better way?

Trajal

I think you summed it up rather well Granariesgirl

However, I am not certain but I believe that a CCJ can change things, that said, you would almost certainly know if there had been a CCJ registered against you.

I have had this in the last 4-5 months myself, a query about an alleged debt from my parents address of over 20 years ago. I just put it in the bin and ignored it.

It's a bad fishing trip, make sure there is no turbot or bass at the end of it for them!

[Deleted User]

mistake number one was calling them; why should you provide any information to them ? Just return to sender.

datlex

I wouldn't even return to sender. Putting "return to sender" on envelope indicates someone has seen the letter. A better solution is the shredder.

matttye

Have a lot of DCAs just bought a truckload of debts or something? There was a voicemail on my home phone from Capquest last night asking me to ring them. Didn't say who they wanted to speak to or what about so ill be ignoring it. Paid off all my debt!