Debt Collection Company Harassment

Fuzzy_Pear

First off, not sure this belongs in this section, but didn't feel it belonged in the Debt Section.

I have a debt collection agency sending letters to my address for someone who does not exists, I consider this harassment, especially since I have informed them via telephone and email this person does not live here.

I intend to write to them to advise them anymore letters sent will be subject to a charge of ??? Maybe then they will get the message. What is a reasonable figure to ask, £60 a letter, £100?

It's not about making money, although some will see this, it is the fact this company feel it is perfectly acceptable to send debt collection letters to my address for someone who has never lived here, this is despite me telephoning and emailing them and even providing proof that I live here alone.

Please understand as someone with mental health problems, I find it difficult to ignore this like some might be able to.

waamo

What will you do when they don't pay? If it's a random amount that you have no intention of forcibly collecting then the amount is immaterial really.

You would probably be better seeing somebody like the CAB and have them help you compose a more effective letter.

Fuzzy_Pear

waamo wrote: »

What will you do when they don't pay? If it's a random amount that you have no intention of forcibly collecting then the amount is immaterial really.

You would probably be better seeing somebody like the CAB and have them help you compose a more effective letter.

Issue a claim in the Small Claims Court

My local CAB are useless.

gettingtheresometime

Fuzzy_Pear wrote: »

First off, not sure this belongs in this section, but didn't feel it belonged in the Debt Section.

I have a debt collection agency sending letters to my address for someone who does not exists, I consider this harassment, especially since I have informed them via telephone and email this person does not live here.

I intend to write to them to advise them anymore letters sent will be subject to a charge of ??? Maybe then they will get the message. What is a reasonable figure to ask, £60 a letter, £100?

It's not about making money, although some will see this, it is the fact this company feel it is perfectly acceptable to send debt collection letters to my address for someone who has never lived here, this is despite me telephoning and emailing them and even providing proof that I live here alone.

Please understand as someone with mental health problems, I find it difficult to ignore this like some might be able to.

If the letters aren't for you just mark them not known at this address, return to sender.

waamo

What will this charge be for? Simply stating that if they write to an unknown person at your address will incur a charge won't stand up in court. In fact it's likely to be chucked out without a hearing.

If you are charging for storage and redirecting the post that may get you a hearing. I think you need professional legal advice if you really intend sending what amounts to a contract to them.

As these letters aren't addressed to you then you will also struggle to claim you are being harassed. The letters aren't for you after all. Are you returning them marked not known at this address?

Fuzzy_Pear

waamo wrote: »

As these letters aren't addressed to you then you will also struggle to claim you are being harassed. The letters aren't for you after all. Are you returning them marked not known at this address?

No, I am opening them, reading them and did try to action them by advising the company in question this person does not live at my address.

For the record it is regarding a unpaid gym membership, seems this person has joined a local gym using my address, but alas the gym manager also does not give a hoot.

Fuzzy_Pear

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

If the letters aren't for you just mark them not known at this address, return to sender.

For some people that is easy, others it might be more difficult to ignore this kind of thing.

waamo

Personally I wouldn't open them anymore as they aren't for you. I would return them with a note saying this person doesn't live at the address. I would also stick them inside another envelope and not put a stamp on.

After paying several lots of excess postage fees due to no stamp they might get the message.

Pollycat

Is there any useful advice here?:
http://legalbeagles.info/forums/showthread.php?56751-Incorrect-Debt-Collection-Financial-institutions-Letters-to-wrong-Address

Or maybe in this thread (I know it's old):
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/370548
There's a template letter to send.

Fuzzy_Pear

Pollycat wrote: »

Is there any useful advice here?:
http://legalbeagles.info/forums/showthread.php?56751-Incorrect-Debt-Collection-Financial-institutions-Letters-to-wrong-Address

Or maybe in this thread (I know it's old):
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/370548
There's a template letter to send.

Thanks for the links.

Fuzzy_Pear

waamo wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't open them anymore as they aren't for you. I would return them with a note saying this person doesn't live at the address. I would also stick them inside another envelope and not put a stamp on.

After paying several lots of excess postage fees due to no stamp they might get the message.

I think that is what I will do. Let them send letters, its not costing me anything!