Debt Collectors Coming After Person Who No Longer Lives Here

petesmile

I’ve lived in the property 18 months now; previous tenant (AB) moved out before then.

AB still receives some post, including from bank at my address.

Recently, AB received a chasing letter from a debt collector. I don’t see how AB will get this letter since there is no forwarding address and AB doesn’t collect mail.

So, I imagine that the debt collector will keep sending mail and eventually even send bailiffs around – is that a possibility? I really don’t want to have bailiffs coming around disturbing my piece.

Is there anything I can do in this situation? Should I be worried? What can I do to convince debt collector that AB no longer lives here and that they should stop sending mail.

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5812355

Read above thread, might be more recent if you do a search.

I've dealt with a county court bailiff when in same situation, it was no sweat in the end, they soon backed off once they had confirmation I wasn't who they thought lived in the property. 6 months later nothing heard. I was a little worried that the person who's new address I gave out might come after me but that hasn't happened either. Touching wood! It helped getting an alternative address to give the bailiff too.

petesmile

Many thanks.

PeacefulWaters

Probably best to leave replies on just one of the multiple threads.

I suggest the one linked here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5828599

poppasmurf_bewdley

Just returning the letters unopened marked "Return to Sender, Gone Away" will also help your peace of mind.

sourcrates

petesmile wrote: »

So, I imagine that the debt collector will keep sending mail and eventually even send bailiffs around – is that a possibility? I really don’t want to have bailiffs coming around disturbing my piece.

Do not confuse debt collectors with bailiffs, they are as different as chalk and cheese.

A debt collector will occasionally use self employed collectors to call on a client, but they are just ordinary members of the public, with no more power of entry than next doors cat, and there use is usually limited to inner city areas, where a number of clients can be visited at once, they are easily dealt with by telling them to go away.

Only a court can instruct a bailiff to act on behalf of a claimant, bailiff powers are not as far reaching as you may think, they cannot force entry to private property, unless they are chasing criminal fines and certain other debts, these do not include consumer credit debts.

Plus, they will only be county court bailiffs, not high court, as again, only the county court deals with consumer credit debts.

So as long as you do not allow them entry to your property, there is nothing they can do, as you are not the person they are looking for anyway, then usually showing two forms of ID is sufficient to send them on their way.

bris

Open letter, call them explain the situation, you will never here from them again. RTS doesn't work, it never has, the letters will keep coming until you tell them.