Debt Collection Agency

cosmarchy

Hi,



I'm getting texts and voice mails from a debt collection agency for a person I've never heard of.


I've had trouble with this kind of thing before where I've been hounded for debt which isn't mine so I'm keen to get rid of these people so I've contacted the company and they are saying they cannot remove my details from their records with the other persons name without a reference number.



The trouble is that I don't have a reference number and they are refusing to remove my details from the other persons account.



Does this sound fishy to anyone? Surely they can update records using a persons name can't they?

[Deleted User]

No, it doesn't sound fishy. Just incompetent.

Escalate to the ICO if required.

CakeCrusader

You should be able to block them.

T-G-C

Although the communication from their side can be frustrating, there is no cause for concern. As long as no one in your household has that debt in their name, no legal action can be brought to your door.

If they are refusing to remove the information without the irretrievable details, I would leave them to it. If you have an Android, there should be a function to block contact from a certain number. iOS should also offer a similar tool, although I believe the number has to be added as a contact first to block it.

As advised above, also contact the ICO if things continue. If the debt isn't in your name or someone who lives with you, it is unfair to be receiving those correspondences.

cosmarchy

Thanks for your replies.


The frustrating part is that although I have blocked this number, they call from another number which I then block.
The really strange part is that although Android blocks the number, it appears they can still leave a voice mail!!
Althogh no-one in my household has any debt, I've had trouble before where debt collection agencies have kept on harrassing us and i'm quite keen to avoid this situation again...

sourcrates

Hi,


Which DCA is it ?


Name & shame, you should write to them, advising the person they are after does not live at your address, you have been the subject of a mis-trace, and have no knowledge of this person, or this debt.

You tell them to remove all your details from there database within the next 14 days, otherwise you will escalate this matter to an official complaint, and if not properly dealt with to your satisfaction, involve the FOS (debt collector complaints fall within there remit) which will cost them there £550 referral fee, plus you will seek damages for the distress and upset caused to you.

PixelPound

Are they sending letters, or is it just phone calls? If its the latter, just tell them its a wrong number and to remove the number. Do you ever answer the calls or always ignore?

If you contact them, when they say they need a reference number, ask if they can search on telephone numbers and give them that. Not sure about the DMC, but if it's the same as financial institutions then surely if they have been calling you, they can do that. Sounds like lazy call centre staff sticking to requiring a reference number.

You can't ask for your details to be deleted, as its not you but someone else they are after. You can ask for your number to be removed from whatever account it is associated with. Numbers get reused so it's possible you have a recycled number; numbers get mistyped, so its possible someone somewhere along the line mistyped it and your wrong number has been attached.