Jacobs Debt Recovery - Fake or Not?

SlightlyStressed

Hi

Wife has received a letter from Jacobs Debt Recovery, acting on behalf of Solihull MBC. They are claiming £1300+ for housing benefit overpayment from 2009.

Looked into a couple of things, first hit on Google says Solihull MBC is Metropolitan Borough Council. We live in the south east, and and never lived anywhere near Birmingham.

My wife and I met in 2006, and moved in together in 2007. The only benefit we have ever claimed in Child Benefit for our now 3 year old son. So if this debt is from 2009, where has it come from?

Next thing, we got married in 2009, but after the date Jacobs is claiming for. If there was ever anything on record, it would be in my wife's maiden name, right? If so, how would they have got her married name, and address?

So, is this a case of mistaken identity? Should we contact Jacobs or Council? Is the whole thing fake? After all, we've never lived there.

Are Jacobs actually going to appear on our doorstep and take our possessions?

We can't prove we haven't received anything because we never received anything!

SlightlyStressed is a slight understatement at the moment!

fatbelly

It sounds like a case of similar names being linked by her credit record.

I'd suggest a letter to Solihull with a copy to Jacobs.

Yes, they could be acting as bailiffs if there is a court order on this.

Hopefully Jacobs will be quoting their reference and their 'client reference' - use both.

SlightlyStressed

Will try to get a telephone number for Solihull, and take it from there.

Thanks.

AndyBSG

Just send a standard 'Prove it' letter asking them to prove the debt is yours/your wife's.

HOWEVER.....

Before that it may be worth checking the dates because if it's from 2009 it may be the debt is coming up to it's 6 year anniversary when it becomes statute barred anyway so they're just sending the letters out fishing for a bite.

In which case you're better ignoring it until you know the 6 years is up.

poppasmurf_bewdley

AndyBSG wrote: »

Just send a standard 'Prove it' letter asking them to prove the debt is yours/your wife's.

HOWEVER.....

Before that it may be worth checking the dates because if it's from 2009 it may be the debt is coming up to it's 6 year anniversary when it becomes statute barred anyway so they're just sending the letters out fishing for a bite.

In which case you're better ignoring it until you know the 6 years is up.

Statute Barred doesn't apply to Council Tax, where the council will have automatically been to court to apply for a Liability Order.

Marktheshark

fishing letter, do not let them get any more information than they have now, especially a date of birth.

They will have written to everyone with that name, best not to reply as they will start harassment.

SlightlyStressed

Spoke to wife this morning (I work evenings and nights so not actually seen her since Sunday).

She said she has spoken to someone, and that she needs to speak to Jacobs. She's doing this on lunch break today.

Apparently the benefits relate to a property in a town that is near us. I don't know how Solihull have got involved in this if this is true. Thing is, we do know someone who lived in this town in 2009. My disowned sister of all people.

Wife seems certain that sister is to blame, says she's not worried because she can prove that she has never lived in that town. We have been on voters roll at our only property since 2008.

I know bailiffs won't care about family disputes though, so unless wife can get something in writing basically calling off the dogs, then I'm waiting for these guys to show up.

poppasmurf_bewdley

It's not wise to speak to any debt collectors by phone. By far the best thing is tell them you will only deal with the matter in writing. Then you have copies of everything said or claimed.

National_Debtline

Hi

Dispute it in writing to the council and Jacobs as the others have suggested. It’s worth checking whether a CCJ has been obtained for this debt as there will be extra steps to disputing it if that is the case.

Your wife can check for any CCJs on this website:

www.trustonline.org.uk

James
@natdebline

fatbelly

My earlier theory that this is nothing to do with your wife now seems wrong - it now looks like someone has claimed HB fraudulently in her name.

It is now doubly important that you follow my earlier advice - a letter to the council with a copy to Jacobs. Don't let the council fob you off - you want to know who, when, where and what has been done so far on this. And you want each party to know that you are disputing liability for it.

The council will fob you off if given half a chance and Jacobs will just take a phone call as an opportunity to threaten you.

J could be acting as bailiffs if there is a court order on this. Councils can (and usually do) get ccjs on the nod for HB overpayments using a N322A. I personally think the rubber-stamping system is an abuse of court process, but it is legal.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405555/hbopg-part-7-courts-and-civil-procedings.pdf

It should still be possible to get it set aside like a normal ccj.