Not sure what to say back to Ruthbridge...

heartbreak_star

Hi all,

After some advice. Ruthbridge recently got in contact about a debt that a) I have no knowledge of and b) is not showing on my credit file.

So...I sent them the combined letter stating no knowledge/statute barred.

I got asked for full name, DOB, address and previous address.

I stated that I am not obliged to provide these (I'm fairly certain I'm not - they have my address as they wrote to me!!).

Then I got this back...

[FONT=&quot]Dear Ms HBS,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you for your e-mail.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Due to the Data Protection Act 1998 we must ensure that we have verified our customer before being able to send out any documentation regarding this matter. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Unfortunately if you are unwilling to verify your details for the data protection act, we will have to close this matter and return this to our client.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please advise as to how you would like to proceed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Where do I go from here? I'm sure I shouldn't have to provide details, and that they have to prove I owe the debt, but we seem to be at an impasse?

Any help would be appreciated.

HBS x

fermi

Wait for their 'client' to show themselves, if they ever do.

Ball in their court so to speak.

It's not on your credit files, so they are not doing damage to you via that, which is the main thing to be worried about in these cases, so you can afford to just wait.

heartbreak_star

Thank you Fermi. So I should reiterate that I am not obliged to provide these details?

Their "client" is apparently dlc, who are another collector I think. And so the trail goes on...!

HBS x

fermi

Up to you really. Whether they like it or not the onus is on them (DLC), or whoever they employ.

Remind them if needed that every time they make demands without proof, or falsely imply that you have to give them details, you will be reporting them to the FCA.

PaulW922

It depends on how confident you are that you do not owe the money...

matttye

It stands to reason they wouldn't communicate with you if you wrote to them using e-mail when they wrote to you in the post, as they would be unable to confirm that you are the person they wrote to.

You don't have to provide them with any details whatsoever but they are quite right to ask for them before releasing any info about you. The alternative would mean they would potentially be releasing information about you to people who ought not to have it.

If you write to them by post from your home address (the address they sent the letter to), they will more than likely correspond with you.

fermi

heartbreak_star wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Unfortunately if you are unwilling to verify your details for the data protection act, we will have to close this matter and return this to our client.[/FONT]

Good. Let them do that.

sourcrates

matttye wrote: »

The alternative would mean they would potentially be releasing information about you to people who ought not to have it.

And of course a DCA would never do that would they ???

They would never break the data protection act and discuss personal information with your boss and work colleges, they would never issue threats like " we'll come and take the office furniture", without first obtaining a court order, they never lie to the financial ombudsman, or deny any wrong doing when you make a legitimate complaint !!

No, they are the pillars of the community !!!!

Sorry, just went a little "off the grid" there !!!!!

Non meant Matt !!