aps Couriers (DCA) - help!

fav77

Good morning,

I have had a man at my house twice in the last couple of days. He left a card with a neighbour the first time - the card says that they are aps and that they tried to deliver an item but a signature was needed. I called the number on the card (I am expecting my passport so didn't think twice) to be told that the delivery is for my housemate who needs to sign for it in person. A quick google told me that they are a DCA or working on behalf of a DCA and that this tactic is against OFT regulations.

He turned up again this morning - very early (I'm not a morning person...) I asked him who he works for - what the full company name is, registered address, company registration number etc and he refused to give me any details. I told him to leave my property and not to return. He was recording everything on a smartphone round his neck supposedly. He was rude and insistent and reluctant to leave. I told him the person he wanted wasn't at home and threatened to call the police if he didnt go. He eventually got back in his car and sat for 10 minutes blocking my driveway. I was pretty miffed by this point so marched out and told him to get off my land! He said he was going to talk to all of our neighbours and parked in the lane for another 20 minutes - I don't think he actually talked to anybody but I don't appreciate being threatened.

I called the number on the flimsy, dodgy looking card and the guy at the office also refused to give me any details of the company such as who they are, where they are etc.

Now I realise that this isn't my problem but I am not happy about these clowns turning up at my home and questioning my children and my neighbours. My housemate is a really good friend who is quite vulnerable at the moment and I will do everything possible to stop these people harrassing him if it against regulations. Does anyone have any info on them or advice as to what I can do to make them leave us alone? I'm not easily intimidated but the guy this morning was horrible and another lone woman might not be as bolshy as me! I don't shout and scream and I am perfectly capable of removing these people calmly and assertively but my teenage daughter is anxious about what to do if they turn up when I am not at home.

Any advice would be very welcome, thank you in advance and sorry about the essay

sourcrates

Cant seem to get a definitive answer from Google on who these clowns may be, what the guy has done is bang out of order.
As you are aware, a debt collector has no more rights than next doors cat, if he shows up again, I would call the police and say a burglar is on the premises, and you feel threatened.
Has your housemate not had anything in writing ? does he know what the debt is for ?
You can complain to them in writing, if you don't get anywhere, the FOS now deals with complaints against debt collectors.

harveybobbles

Sounds like it might be court papers that need signing for.

harveybobbles

worth a read here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?426491-Have-you-received-a-letter-or-card-asking-you-to-make-contact-or-that-there-is-a-parcel-for-you

sourcrates

Back in the day, when I had debts, I remember getting some of these calling cards from DCA`s purporting to be from a courier, who had an "urgent delivery" for me, and I must call at once, cant remember the company name though.
Interesting that this is still going on today.