Wescot Phone calls and text messages.

bharan

hi,

I recently got a call from Wescot asking for my security details{name, old address,etc.,} and a text to call immediately to 0844 number. I couldn't remember the address when they called me so they said they will call me back and i couldn't call them because it's a 0844 number. Don't have any credit on my phone really and I don't have any possible debts.

In the last year, i moved to two addresses.in the first address, the only things i needed to pay was my home rent and electricity and I paid both of them completely. Scottish power still send me letters in post asking to put more credit in the account which i don't really have to do because i cancelled the account about 5 months ago. I have a proof email from them saying my account has been cancelled. I am not sure if this is the reason why Wescot calling me.

A friend of mine was staying with me in the first address for 5 months[ I was living there for 6 months]. He got internet from Virgin, I am not sure if he has cancelled it, and the account is in his name. I have concern that Wescot might be calling me to pay of his debt? if that's the case, Do I really need to pay for his debt on his account with virgin? not sure how it works.
Kindly help me out of this situation.

Thank you
Bharan

Tixy

Hi

If westcott text you ignore them.

If westcott call you simply ask them to put details of any alleged debt to you in writing. Don't get in to discussions on the phone with them, don't confirm you past addresses or date of birth etc. Just tell them to write to you and hang up.

It is pointless trying to guess what debt they may be trying to collect until they have provided you with written details of the alleged debt.
There is no way you would be liable for an account in a friend's name.

In the meantime you might want to get a copy of your credit report to see if you can see any problems on there or any unpaid account.

[Deleted User]

Please don't lose any sleep over these texts; wescott are notorious for this kind of behaviour. See if they will write to you and then deal with it from there. Don't be surprised if it's a debt that has nothing to do with you. Just one of the many tricks they use to try and get money.

bharan

HI,

Thanks for the reply.I haven't confirmed my details with them yet except my name. I am not sure how or where to get the credit report. do i get it from bank? Sorry, new to these kind of things.

sourcrates

bharan wrote: »

HI,

Thanks for the reply.I haven't confirmed my details with them yet except my name. I am not sure how or where to get the credit report. do i get it from bank? Sorry, new to these kind of things.

You can get a copy of your credit report from all three of the credit reporting agencies, creditors can use all three :


https://www.noddle.co.uk/ noddle is free to use.


http://www.experian.co.uk/creditexpert2/06_credit_score.html?infinity=gaw%7EBrand%7EExperian%7E52252987390%7Eexperian%7Ee&sc=701371&s_tnt=67942:1:0
free trial, or £2 per report.


http://www.equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/credit-report.html?gclid=CI7b3Yrfnr4CFRIPtAod5UMAYw free trial, or £2 per report.

bharan

Thanks got the report.

No debts. two negative factors of not being in election roll or something. I am not a UK citizen, so I am not allowed anyway.

One more question, if they ask us to confirm the DPA, do we really need to do it?

bharani

Tixy

bharan wrote: »

if they ask us to confirm the DPA, do we really need to do it?

Hi

Can you expand/explain what you mean?

bharan

Hi Tixy,

Before coming to this forum, I emailed wescot about their calls to confirm if its a spam or a real one. Now they sent the following email:

Further to your recent email.

Please be advised we do require all of our customers to confirm DPA via all methods of communication before we can release information as to why we have contacted yourself.

Please can you confirm your current address. This is purely for security purposes and to prevent a breach of the data protection act.

I am not planning to give them my address till they answer me though. I read through Data Protection Act DPA from www.
dataprotection.ie/docs/A-guide-to-your-rights-Plain-English-Version/858.htm [ sorry they wont allow me to put links yet, because i am a new user]

It says when you are asked for personal details, you can question the reason for asking. But I am not sure about the content of the website is actually correct.

If you get an email like this what would you do?

Tixy

I would continue to ignore them and send them nothing at all unless or until they write (paper not email) to you with details of the alleged debt they are chasing. You don't have to prove who you are to them.

If

Please be advised we do require all of our customers to confirm DPA via all methods of communication before we can release information as to why we have contacted yourself.

is the actual wording from their email then I would be suspicious as to whether you were actually in contact with an authorised UK company.

SeduLOUs

State plainly that you are unwilling to discuss any of your personal details with them until they can provide you with some information in writing as to what this 'debt' is apparently about. It is not up to you to pass DPA, it is up to them to prove that you owe something. If the debt is to do with this broadband, and it isn't in your name, then they don't have a leg to stand on.

If anyone calls, refuse personal information (other than an address to write to) and confirm again that you are not willing to discuss anything with them until you are given more information, then hang up.

System

no point in hanging up lol they just call again, ur better to do DPA first and then talk to them in order to get the account put on hold to stop calls and letters...i dont get why people think hanging up solves things, it doesnt do anything.