Help with forming a response to "fishy" letter?

Mike_Kami

Hi, hope this is right forum? (new here).

My problem: Just received a very strange letter from COUGAR FINANCE SERVICES. And am in slight dilemma of what my response should be?

Firstly I rang them on the number provided on the letter...its disconnected! After a recent scam that I fell hook line and sinker too, I'm too jaded and skittish over certain claims made about me now.

I come on here to research CFS to find that they have been flagged over a large range of things, which has made me even more paranoid, I just don't know how to proceed?

Basically, as far as I'm concerned I don't actually owe anything. My bills are all paid, I am not joined to anything that requires any sort of payment that I'm aware of, and don't even own a credit card!

The thing that has prompted my asking for help/opinions is that I've recently moved, I lived at my old address for 7 years, This letter is addressed to my new address, but in a name that I haven't had for 4 years?

The letter states that they are trying to locate me and have been passed this address by somebody(?) and I have 7 days to get in contact with them over quote "an important matter" other wise if this letter is read by somebody that knows my location please contact them and help them find me(?)

The strange thing is...

1. They used my old name, before I got married.
2. I've only recently moved, If they have a 4 year old name, how did they get my NEW address but not NEW name?
3. I rent off a mate who owns both places and he's the only guy who knows I've moved.
4. To my knowledge I'm debt free.
5. Also on the letter where it says your previous address they have- it's blank!

Am I being scammed? If I acknowledge the receipt of letter am I asking to have money extorted from me? I recently had to pay out £700 to a debt collector because he wouldn't listen to reason (that I didn't owe the money) only to find out afterwards I didn't actually owe the £700 after losing my job paying him off. Has anybody had any dealings with CFS or had strange letters like this? I just feel like I'm being set up, I want to know what they want so I'm aware of it if some things amiss, but at the same time don't want to give them any help in setting me up for a fall if they have got things wrong? I've recently used the "I want proof of debt" letter template that on this site to another debt firm who claims I owe Natwest bank money for an account...I've never actually banked with them?

Sorry about the rambling length of post, please dive in with anything that can help my nerves rest.

rizla_king

Whole trawler load of "fishy" there. Doesn't seem like it deserves a response.

Mike_Kami

Its just caught me by surprise, old name, but they would have had old address where I lived for at-least another 3 years to contact me IF I owed something? not wait 3-4 years after I change my name AND move to come after me? I just don't trust it, but really want to find out if somebody wants something from me? just don't want to give them grounds for the reply letter being you owe us £XXX you have 7 days to pay lol.

rizla_king

Perhaps check your credit reports then? That may show up what is being chased? If there is nothing on your reports then if me I would just ignore them.

Mike_Kami

This sounds like an excellent course of action, I'm a total newb to finance matters though, can you please explain how I go about checking?

matttye

Mike_Kami wrote: »

This sounds like an excellent course of action, I'm a total newb to finance matters though, can you please explain how I go about checking?

Sign up for accounts with https://www.experian.co.uk, https://www.equifax.co.uk and https://www.noddle.co.uk.

With Experian and Equifax, either sign up for the one month free trials or order your £2 statutory reports.

Noddle credit reports are free for life.

happy_bunny_2

They probably got your new address of a linked name and address on your credit report. If you have a common name, they might not be sure so have the fishing rod out.

As suggested, check your credit reports and if they send anything more concrete, send the prove it letter.

Be warned, checking your credit report will link names and addresses if not done already and will send a borg like nudge to the DCAs. But if you have changed name and address with your bank, likely its on there already.

Mike_Kami

Well some how they got my partners mobile number(?) and rang her. They asked for information on the people who moved in to our old address after we moved, and just wanted to know if we knew who they were and their personal details?

I just think its so pointless that these companies even exist! They all seem so useless at what they do. They probably put more effort into finding me and getting contact details from other companies then just contacting the people who there actually after?