Debt collectors after previous tenant

dktreesea

terryw wrote: »

OK. Thanks. My puzzlement was over the use of ccj. I think the word attachment refers to an order seze goods- English warrant of Execution.

In theory, English court orders can be enforced abroad but the procedure is cumbersome that few creditors bother with it. If it gets to that stage it is a professional debtor who will, it is likely,move on again.

English county court bailiffs would be extremely unlikely to act the manner of your caller _ they are civil servants who have no financial interest in collecting debts. They carry out the orders of the court. Private bailiffs (and, I suspect , your caller) are a different kettle of fish as they are paid by results and the fees can be very costly.

Well done for getting some result with this.

This guy's calling card was from one of the debt collection agencies, so I am assuming they have a couple of people who are officers of the court, so can do the enforcement stuff. I thought it might have been because somewhere along the way his firm bought the debt?

As for English county court bailiffs, thier behaviour can be appalling;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7CnrqD1L-Q

fatbelly

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

How do I stop them?
Every week or two they send two letters to my lodger who moved out almost a year ago. I know I'm not supposed to but I read them every now and then, because I'm getting scared (having originally googled the return address).
The latest letter says "NOTICE OF INTENDED LEGAL ACTION" at the top. It says without payment/payment plan in the next two weeks, "legal action to recover the debt may be taken against you without further warning".
It's from Keynes Collections.
I am terrified bailiffs are going to turn up. Without going into details, I am really struggling with my mental health atm (have ongoing issues) and for various reasons the idea of them forcing their way in, or even trying to/being threatening is really terrifying and affecting my mental health badly.
I keep returning the letter to sender, writing "not at this address" but it doesn't work. I just tried to call them and it rings once then cuts off.

Help - how do I stop them?

Just to clarify, OP, you don't have a bailiff or a sheriff or an 'enforcement officer' - you have a bottom end dodgy debt collection agency who have bought an old debt and have no clue where the debtor lives and no legal rights whatsoever to take any action against you.

earthbound_misfit

Thanks for the replies

I called them via the complaints number and they said they are updating their details. I didn't give my name, only the debtor's name, and explained I didn't know where he lived now (oh how I wish I could send them after him). I forgot to withold my number but I can just bar/ignore unknown numbers if necessary...

fatbelly

Hi

You said that every week or two they send two letters. Can you let us know whether that stops, or whether the pattern continues or changes. If it stops completely, that would be the first positive thing I have heard about them.

For others viewing, just dial 141 to withhold your number if calling from a landline.

earthbound_misfit

Just received two (identical) letters from 'MKDP'.
They say they've had recent phone contact with a third party (me) who says he's not at this address but they don't believe it.
It says "We have undertaken futher investigation using Credit Reference Agencies in addition to other reliable (!) databases and this information has led us to understand you still reside at the above address".

What databases? He gets a letter from the co-op bank here occasionally, I just return to sender and write "not known at this address" like with everything else. But how do I stop them? Presumably they'll show up on the doorstep sooner or later, but all I can prove is I'm not him! I'm worried they'll just repeatedly show up threateningly rather than just send letters in the end. And what if they get *whatever legal permission* to enter when I'm not around? How do I make them believe me?

I'm getting scared I will go out and return to find the door kicked in at some point, with the few precious things I own taken away and my pets escaped. I know it's not at that stage yet but I've had bad experiences with people doing awful things and no power to stop them, and so this is triggering nightmares and things, it's harassment.

Deep_In_Debt

Years ago, I had bailiffs turn up looking for an ex lodger of mine. I explained the situation to them on the doorstep that it wasn't my debt and I didn't know where he was. They asked to come in and check. Back then I had no idea that I shouldn't let them in but I did. They went upstairs to check the bedroom he stayed in, saw he had left nothing of value, apologised for bothering me and left. Never saw or heard from them again and that was about 10 years ago.

fatbelly

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

Just received two (identical) letters from 'MKDP'.
They say they've had recent phone contact with a third party (me) who says he's not at this address but they don't believe it.
It says "We have undertaken futher investigation using Credit Reference Agencies in addition to other reliable (!) databases and this information has led us to understand you still reside at the above address".

What databases? He gets a letter from the co-op bank here occasionally, I just return to sender and write "not known at this address" like with everything else. But how do I stop them? Presumably they'll show up on the doorstep sooner or later, but all I can prove is I'm not him! I'm worried they'll just repeatedly show up threateningly rather than just send letters in the end. And what if they get *whatever legal permission* to enter when I'm not around? How do I make them believe me?

I'm getting scared I will go out and return to find the door kicked in at some point, with the few precious things I own taken away and my pets escaped. I know it's not at that stage yet but I've had bad experiences with people doing awful things and no power to stop them, and so this is triggering nightmares and things, it's harassment.

(Sigh) As I predicted.

Look, there is no such thing as *whatever legal permission* to enter when you're not around. No-one is allowed to do what you are fearing. The advice to return letters unopened marked 'not at this address' is sound.

However, the problem you are having is that MKDP are stupid ****ers. And what they are doing is pushing the buttons that have an effect on you disproportionately.

Do you have a support worker? Plan B would be to take the fight to them. But you are going to need someone to help. Also, are you on a means tested benefit (IS, JSA, ESA)? And could you get written evidence of a mental health problem if necessary?

ghostmadlittlemiss

http://www.mind.org.uk/

Contact them and see if they run an advocacy service in your area. They do in mine and I cannot recommend them enough. They had quite literally changed my life. I know a lot of people say that and don't mean it but I do, they helped me apply for DLA, which then entitled me to Working Tax Credits (I was too young before, I'm not 25 until the end of this month) and means that I now have enough money to live on and am able to work for myself. This has improved my mental health more than I can say. They don't just do benefit advice though, whatever the issue, as long as your mental health is involved, they'll help. Get in touch and see if they can give you any help.
Kayleigh

dancingfairy

You could write a formal complaint to them and point out that you are not the debtor and that you have reported them to the OFT for harrassment. You could point out that you are a vulnerable person and so have additional protection. Also report them to the OFT for harrassment.
I'm not sure if you can also complain to the financial ombudsman service given you are not actually the debtor but you could try?
df

earthbound_misfit

Well, a friend of mine ended up calling MKDP. I thought it was a bit pointless, but then... they said not to worry anymore, they'd just got a call from a "disgruntled ex-girlfriend" with his new address, so would be chasing him there!!