Confused debt collectors

Tarzan123

Hi, new to the forum and really confused. My mother received a letter for me saying a Company would like to update their records and could I confirm my address. Told her to put it in the bin. Checked the company on line and its a debt collector. Problem is I left England 8 years ago and im sure I left with no debt. Left forwarding addresses for everyone if they needed to contact me (hopefully I didnt miss any). So now im thinking that someone has stolen my identity....wanted to do a Credit scoring but I need my last 6 years of address....but I havent lived in england for 8 years so not really sure what to do now. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. Need to sort this out because its already stressing me. Never had debt in my life....dont want to start now. Thanks

happy_bunny_2

If that old, nothing they can do about it as it would be statute barred (not legally recoverable).

You can check your credit file using your current address, just to check they haven't put anything on there they shouldn't have.

Tarzan123

Thanks for the reply. In theory I have no credit rating because I've been away from England 8 yrs... I thought credit report is only the last six year. When I looked at the experian site it asks for your address in the uk. But I don't have one. I have emailed them to ask how I can find out if someone has stolen my identity and how to get a credit report. Should I just bite the bullet and phone the debt company asking why they are trying to contact me? Or am I opening up a can of worms. I left England with no debt so I can only assume identity fraud.

happy_bunny_2

Sorry, assumed you were living in Scotland or like .

Were you ever registered at your mums address?

Don't ring them, they will make your life hell once they get your number.

Otherwise, if they write again, send the prove it letter

Tarzan123

As a child, moved out at 16. Only have 1 bank account in England that's registered at my mums for statements and stuff. They have linked me there from my previous address that I left 8 years ago. Thats why im thinking its identity fraud. All the junk mail still going to the address with my name for credit cards etc. I don't know. Clutching at straws maybe.

Tarzan123

Also scared they will start bothering my mum. She's disabled and really dosent need the hassle.

a4a

Contrary to what another poster said, personally I would just ring them up and ask what its all about.

Give them the address they wrote to (no need to give them any other address). It call be all done and dusted in 5 mins. Either you will remember a debt you've forgotten about or there is no debt, in which case you can ask them for strict proof.

happy_bunny_2

a4a wrote: »

Contrary to what another poster said, personally I would just ring them up and ask what its all about.

Give them the address they wrote to (no need to give them any other address). It call be all done and dusted in 5 mins. Either you will remember a debt you've forgotten about or there is no debt, in which case you can ask them for strict proof.

If you do that, don't give them your number.

Once they get a bite, they won't let go. Don't take my word for it, just search for telephone harrassment on here.

happy_bunny_2

Tarzan123 wrote: »

As a child, moved out at 16. Only have 1 bank account in England that's registered at my mums for statements and stuff. They have linked me there from my previous address that I left 8 years ago. Thats why im thinking its identity fraud. All the junk mail still going to the address with my name for credit cards etc. I don't know. Clutching at straws maybe.

It's possible to make a link from that address.

If you have a uk address for statements, you have a credit file. Check it with that address.

Hence it went to your mums.

It may also be fraud as you say, but maybe an inaccurate/forgotten final bill.

a4a

happy_bunny wrote: »

If you do that, don't give them your number.

Once they get a bite, they won't let go. Don't take my word for it, just search for telephone harrassment on here.

I agree, ring from witheld number, but give them the address they wrote to. Try and establish what their claim is all about first, it's up to them (at this stage) to prove the debt.

Tarzan123

I'm phoning from overseas so the number shouldn't come up. But if I phone them then they know I have contact at my mums and I'm worried they will start harassing her. I've read the reports on here and it's scary! My mums disabled so really don't want them harassing her. I got a reply from experian and I can get my credit report sent to me. So hopefully that can shed some light on what's going on.

If I did forget a bill I will gladly pay, but don't get it... Left contact address for everyone. So surely they could get hold of me.

It's been 2 days since I found this out and it's making me feel sick already!

Thanks everyone for your help.