Sky Direct Debit Fraud

whostealmytea

I have never ever been a Sky Subscriber in my life.

Couple of years ago, an unrecognised Direct Debit appeared in my monthly bank statement for Sky Digital subscription. I informed Sky it was not from me and was a fraudulent transaction. Sky said that someone used my bank detail to pay for his subscription. Due to data protection reasons, Sky could not tell me either the supply address or the sky account name. They would refund me if I called my bank. My bank dutifully contacted Sky on behalf of me and refund the total of £200 via Direct Debit guarantee.

Fast forward for two years, I received a letter from a debt collecting agent (DCA) on behalf of Sky for £490. The most natural explanation is, while Sky refunded me two years ago, they classified that as an outstanding bill against my name and sold in on to the DCA. So I phoned Sky to check what's going on. Again citing data protection, they don't share with me any info (e.g. whether that £490 was from the Direct Debit issue 2 years ago) or confirm to me if that's them who pass my info to the DCA. Just told me that my sort code and a/c number matched against one of the overdue a/c. I called Sky a few times. They told me to leave my number and said that their fraud investigating team would contact me. Of course, no one calls back. In one call, one man claimed to a supervisor of the Sky call centre suggested me to report to police. I have reported that to the police (thru actionFraud, but I've actually talked to an officier in my local station). Sky is not even interested to take the police case number down to follow up.

Anyone was in similar situation before? I am not even a customer. Sky has zero incentive to help out. What can I do to force Sky to take action? I think Sky and the utilities/banks have a major share of responsibility in these case: alarm should be raised and requires further verification if the bank billing address is different from the supply address. On the DCA side, what would be my best strategy to deal with? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

fermi

Is there anything on your credit files regarding this? Shouldn't be, but may be worth checking as that is the only potential harm this can do you.

Regards the DCA, I would write to them, explain the dispute and that it is not your debt, and give them the crime ref. number telling them that.

Let them know that you are aware of OFT guidelines and that if they continue to chase a debt that is not yours you will be reporting them

See elements of this letter that apply: -> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247

In the end the only thing the DCA or sky can do would be to go to court, as as you've never been a sky customer that would be a very very stupid thing for them to try.

whostealmytea

I have checked the credit file. It is squeaky clean.

My main worry is the scum use my name to set up the Sky account and then use my bank account detail to set up the direct debit to pay for it. Granted I have been disputed against that since right away and a supply address of different from my address recorded by the bank are all important indicators that I am the ID fraud victim. Still a bit worrying, as in the case of DCA/sky push for a court case, I would rely on Sky to clarify the matter.... And so far Sky pretty much ignored me. That's why I would like to push them to investigate soon...

DaveTheMus

Surely the debt would be sent to the SKY account address that they would not tell you, not your own.

whostealmytea

I have sent out the "I am a fraud victim. Matter has reported to Police. Debt is in dispute. " form letter to both Sky and the Debt Collection Agent (DCA).

The DCA just sent me a reply stating that it is advised by Sky "to pursue a Mr XYZ (my name) in connection with the supply address of [some address not related to me with a postcode frequently appear in Crimewatch]" and ask me to confirm "the connection you have to the above supply address".

Does that usually mean if I write back to them stating I have no connection to the said supply address then I will be off the hook?

FireWyrm

whostealmytea wrote: »

I have sent out the "I am a fraud victim. Matter has reported to Police. Debt is in dispute. " form letter to both Sky and the Debt Collection Agent (DCA).

The DCA just sent me a reply stating that it is advised by Sky "to pursue a Mr XYZ (my name) in connection with the supply address of [some address not related to me with a postcode frequently appear in Crimewatch]" and ask me to confirm "the connection you have to the above supply address".

Does that usually mean if I write back to them stating I have no connection to the said supply address then I will be off the hook?

Write to them, tell them that you are dissatisfied with their response and you will no longer tolerate their behaviour. If they do not stop collection proceedings immediately, you will be forced to report them to the OFT and you will also begin proceedings to level charges against them for harassment. You are not the debtor and you do not have to spend any longer than absolutely necessary on this matter. The DCA will comply or you will get nasty with them. Dont plead, tell.