Help!!

KitKat1974

This is my first post... so please tell me if I'm in the wrong place.
Letters started arriving at my home from a debt collector - not in my name but in my daughters surname (she is 13)and has a different surname.
I called to ask what it was about - a vet bill for a vet I've never been too - and explained who I was. Since then they have changed the debt into my name and now chase me. Is this legal? I'm worried it will damage my credit rating and am in half a mind to pay it just to stop the hassle.
Can anyone advise me?
Thank you.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Welcome to MSE. :wave:

Sounds like someone is a victim of identity theft. Deal with them in writing. Keep calm. Keep copies. Don't submit to their veiled threats.

Tixy

Sounds like the debt collector have incorrectly linked your daughters address to that of a real debtor, presumably someone with the same name as your daughter.

Send a letter to them to explain that you have no knowledge of the debt and suspect they may have mistraced the debt to your daughter and asking them to provide proof of the alleged debt. You may want to use some of the wording from - Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

If, after you have written to them and explained that neither you or your minor daughter are the alleged debtor, they continue to chase you then I would write again quoting the OFT debt collection guidelines to them - UPDATED OFT Guidance on Debt Collection - READ IF YOU ARE BEING HASSLED UNFAIRLY

Unlikely to affect your credit file given that it relates to a Vet bill. Its unlikely the Vet will ever have sought the real customers permission to share information with the credit reference agencies.

KitKat1974

Thank you so much for your response. I will send the letter today. Your knowledge is very much appreciated!

gb12345

KitKat1974 wrote: »

Thank you so much for your response. I will send the letter today. Your knowledge is very much appreciated!

One extra bit of advice - don't sign the letter just put your name. This will make it harder for them to come up with any documentation with your signature on it.