Letter from Wescot - unaware of debt

Treacle_Toes

Hi,

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place, but I could do with some advice.

I've just opened a letter from Wescot saying I owe £1154.25.

The letter is in my maiden name (I've been married 17 years) but posted to my current address (lived their 15 years - never used my maiden name at this address).

They say they are working on behalf of Barclays. I've never had any bank accounts with Barclays, and as far as I'm aware never had any outstanding debts with any company. I've not had a loan for years!

Do I just ignore it? My gut is telling me not to enter into any communication with this company.

Any advice is gratefully received.

sourcrates

Hi,


No, never ignore a letter such as this, there are a number of possibilities here, it may be an old debt you have long forgotten about, or it may not even be your debt.


Wescott are a debt collection agency, put simply they try to collect on debts owned by their client banks, the banks lose interest in chasing them, so pass them on to companies such as this to collect.


Whenever you get a letter asking for money, you never simply pay up, nor do you ignore it, you ask them for proof of there claim, they must provide evidence of liability when asked to do so, you do this by sending the "provit" letter to them, available here :


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter


This letter is specifically worded so as not to acknowledge anything, just in case the account in question may be close to the statute barred date.


Send this to them and see what comes back.

Treacle_Toes

Thanks,

I've printed the letter out.

TT