Letter from collection agency for debt that is not mine

Pennydropped

I received two letters today from a collection agency, both saying they are for accounts at a company I've never used, and for debts that are not mine.

It's a bit odd as it says "following recent correspondence" which is untrue, as this is the first I've seen this. It also shows two separate accounts supposedly in my name at this business. I've never even used this company, so there's no way. Not to mention that I only have one debt that I am paying off.. and it's not this! It also is "offering" 75% of my "debt" if I pay them quickly.

I've put together a letter stating that I received their letters and that this is not my debt, so therefore they shouldn't be contacting me again. Is that about it then?

No idea why they have my name and address.....

Cyclizine

You need to check to see if any defaults are present with the three credit reference agencies and then send a prove it letter to the collection agency.

Pennydropped

Why would there be any defaults on my credit ? This is absolutely not my debt.

"Prove it"letter? I've basically said in my letter that this is not my debt, that I've never had any accounts with that company, and that I've never had correspondence from either of them before.

[Deleted User]

Because the default may have been applied in error to your files. They are looking for a Mr/Mrs Penny Dropped who defaulted on a debt - you may be just one of many by that name they have tracked down, or you may be the only one.

Either way, you don't want an unwarranted default on your credit files.

Pennydropped

Ok,that makes sense. I can only think that someone else with my name has a debt with them. Odd.

Cyclizine

Because if it's definitely not your debt, then either someone has used your details and defaulted or the agencies have wrongly identified you as someone else. If you check the credit agencies, you can see if these or possibly any other defaults are mentioned. You then have more information to go on. If someone is using your details then it's fraud, so you go to the police. If it's wrong details, then you can tell the that to the collection agency. It's free to check all three credit agencies, see the sticky link at the top of the Credit File & Ratings Board.

MataNui

A collection agency may not know much at all about the original debt. They may not even have an address. You could be one of dozens or hundreds of people getting exactly the same letter. The advise you have been given is sensible and standard. Check your credit files then send a standard 'prove it' letter. You will find a template letter somewhere on this site.

DO NOT send them your own letter explaining how you only have one debt you know of blah blah. You would be netter sending a simple two word response than that. You dont want to be telling these people anything at all about you or your financial history. Thats why people use the standard simple template.

Pennydropped

Nothing on my credit report.

Pennydropped

I wasn't going to put that I only have one debt in my letter. I have only put that I received their letter, that it was not my debt, and that I had never had any accounts or business with the company that they indicated the debt was from.

RG2015

Pennydropped wrote: »

Nothing on my credit report.

Have you checked all three credit reporting agencies for your credit report? They do not all have the same information about you.

Pennydropped

Just checked one. I'll have to check the other two tomorrow.