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How to prove the debt isn't mine

I have recently been contacted out of the blue by DLC claiming that I have a debt of £4000 from Black Horse.

I have followed the advise from your site, and sent them a "prove it letter" which they eventually replied to.

The person who owes the debt has a similar name to mine, however, they have a middle name whereas I don't.

They also live at an address that I have never lived at before.

The signature on the credit agreement is also not mine.

How do I go about proving this to the debt collection agency and getting them off my back?

Please help.

Comments

  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Wilo1 wrote: »
    I have recently been contacted out of the blue by DLC claiming that I have a debt of £4000 from Black Horse.

    I have followed the advise from your site, and sent them a "prove it letter" which they eventually replied to.

    The person who owes the debt has a similar name to mine, however, they have a middle name whereas I don't.

    They also live at an address that I have never lived at before.

    The signature on the credit agreement is also not mine.

    How do I go about proving this to the debt collection agency and getting them off my back?

    Please help.
    Who are "they", DLC or Black Horse and have you explained all of the above to them
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 8,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You don't prove it to the debt collection agency. You tell them quite firmly that you don't owe the money and they must refer the matter back to Black Horse.

    Then you tell Black Horse what you've told us.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 33,063 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Check your credit file to make sure its clear. Send them a its not me letter and go away.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • ShadowPuma
    ShadowPuma Posts: 143 Forumite
    Wilo1 wrote: »
    The person who owes the debt has a similar name to mine, however, they have a middle name whereas I don't.

    They also live at an address that I have never lived at before.

    The signature on the credit agreement is also not mine.

    This is what you say to them. And tell them to either prove it IS you or to cease contacting you.
  • Thank you all for your advise. It sounds a lot simpler than I thought it would be.

    I was thinking that I would have to send copies of passport and birth certificate to prove no middle name and evidence of different signature, but was loath to provide them with any more information than they needed.

    Any way, I shall do as you suggest and let you know how I get on.
  • OlliesDad
    OlliesDad Posts: 1,825 Forumite
    It is a common tactic from debt recovery companies to send letters to everybody in the area with the same name and hopefully get the correct person. Don't worry too much about it.
  • harrys_dad
    harrys_dad Posts: 1,997 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You don't have to prove the debt is not yours, they have to prove it is yours, which is why the letter is called a "prove it" letter.
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