Strange message - Robinson Way

fatrab

Just received a strange message from Robinson Way. It reads:


"MR fatrab (that's not my real name!) Robinson Way has made repeated attempts to contact you. Please visit us at www.robway.co.uk. You can also chat online with us." That's all it says.


Now, this was sent to my personal mobile phone, so they clearly have my number, but this is the first I've heard from them. A quick google and they're a rather iffy debt collector.


Is this a scam?


They have my number but have never contacted me, apart from this text message.
Last time I missed a payment on anything was in 1999, just checked my credit file and all ok.
No reference number/account number quoted.


I'm inclined to block the number and ignore it but what's everyone's thoughts? Phishing scam of some sort?


Thanks

[Deleted User]

Not a scam.

It appears they believe you may be someone who owes them money (or your number belongs to someone who does), which may or may not be the case. If it's not ignore it, but check your files from time to time.

sourcrates

Its whats known as a fishing trip, someone with similar details to you maybe, or a debt that you may of forgotten.

In terms of a response, you only need respond to them if they decide to write to you, you would then send the provit letter to them to obtain evidence to back up there claim.

fatrab

I've had this number for 8 years, plus that doesnt explain why they've never tried to call me. It all sounds very suspicious to me.

I check my file every month, I definitely don't owe anyone any money or have any defaults.

Thanks

fatrab

Received another text message from these clowns today:

"We're still waiting to hear from you MR FATRAB. Please call Robinson Way on 0800 121 6904 or text CALL ME and we'll ring you."

They'll be waiting a long time for me to contact them! If they have my number why haven't they called? And where would they have got my number from?

As much as I want to simply block their number I'd quite like to waste some of their time, since they're wasting mine!

I absolutely 100% do not have any arrears, defaults or as much as a late payment in the past 12 years! And for 4 years prior to that I didn't live in the UK!

PaulW922

If you are 100% certain you owe nothing it might be fun to call back if you have some time to spare.... but on the other hand, it may guarantee more and more calls and messages.

Katgrit

Am I being dense? Why not call them and find out what they have to say. If they reckon you owe money surely is in your best interests to get whatever it is sorted out? You say you've got a clean credit file so seems easy to prove you don't owe them money. They might be checking whether you're the Mr Fatrab that they're trying to find. And you can say "No, that's not my date of birth, I'm not him". Why waste their time when they they might have a legitimate reason for getting in touch with you?

Vikipollard

Katgrit wrote: »

Am I being dense? Why not call them and find out what they have to say. If they reckon you owe money surely is in your best interests to get whatever it is sorted out? You say you've got a clean credit file so seems easy to prove you don't owe them money. They might be checking whether you're the Mr Fatrab that they're trying to find. And you can say "No, that's not my date of birth, I'm not him". Why waste their time when they they might have a legitimate reason for getting in touch with you?

The onus is on the DCA to contact the alleged debtor. As Fatrab says, they have his number so could call him. Why would he call them - I know I wouldn't. If they were sure, they'd have rung already. I'd guess it's a fishing exercise based on similar names.

Fatrab, *if* they do ring you, I'd personally avoid providing information (like date of birth or anything). It's for them to tell you what they have, not for you to fill in the blanks for them. Ask for all communication to be in writing (to the address they have), and if they do, send the prove it letter.

sourcrates

Katgrit wrote: »

Am I being dense? Why not call them and find out what they have to say. If they reckon you owe money surely is in your best interests to get whatever it is sorted out? You say you've got a clean credit file so seems easy to prove you don't owe them money. They might be checking whether you're the Mr Fatrab that they're trying to find. And you can say "No, that's not my date of birth, I'm not him". Why waste their time when they they might have a legitimate reason for getting in touch with you?

The problem you will encounter if you call a debt collector, is that they can say anything over the phone, that they would not dare put in writing.

It is common for the call handler to persuade you to pay the debt they are chasing without providing one ounce of proof that you are even the person they are looking for, or that you are even liable for the debt

Some people just blindly pay up, or are coerced into doing so, you read stories all the time of people who have received similar calls, emails, or texts, rung up the debt collector, and found themselves paying a debt that was not even theirs to begin with.

The only thing you need to respond to from a debt collector, is if they put the allegation in writing to you, you then respond by sending the provit letter, available from the sticky thread on this forum.

THEY MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF LIABILITY WHEN ASKED.

keep everything in writing is the best advice to give on this matter.

[Deleted User]

Robinson Way have for the past year been chasing me for a small debt that was statute barred in 2012 and isn't even listed on my credit files any more.

I wouldn't contact them if you are sure.

sourcrates

Deleted_User wrote: »

Robinson Way have for the past year been chasing me for a small debt that was statute barred in 2012 and isn't even listed on my credit files any more.

I wouldn't contact them if you are sure.

Problem with that is they can obtain judgment by default even on a statute barred debt, if you do not tell them it’s statute barred.

You cannot just assume it’s SB, you must write and tell them so, as no one else will.