PayPal - Friend's debt?!

IndianGuy96

Hello!

I've just received a letter through the post from Westcot, who are attempting to recover the PayPal debt of a friend (£134.00). I am no longer in contact with this friend, nor do I know where he lives, but it seems like he's put my address on his PayPal account (I've lived here for a long time, he knows my address). The issue is, I can contact Westcot to say that I am not the person addressed in the letter, but without knowing any further details, will the debt somehow come back to me, purely because of my address?

This friend in question has paid me money through PayPal before, and now it seems he's put my address on his account. Is there any way that, even though the debt is in my friend's name, the debt can be linked to my name (and by extension, my credit file)?

I'm basically just worried that, after I tell Westcot that they have the wrong address, will they continue to contact me (because it's my address on file), regarding the collection of a debt that isn't even in my name? And will this in any way affect my ability to apply for credit in the future?

Thanks!

ndf9876

I would suggest a "Prove It" letter just to cover yourself :

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

EDIT : I would not enter into any more correspondence with them than that. No, your address cannot be used to somehow link debt to you, so don't worry about that.

EDIT 2 : Is the letter addressed directly to you, or is it addressed to your friend and you've opened it? I'm assuming you've opened the letter given you have details on it...if it was addressed to the friend who does not live there, you can hardly send it back as "not known at this address" in which case I'd toss it in the bin and get on with your life.

If it WAS addressed to you, a "Prove It" letter is the way to go.

molerat

ndf9876 wrote: »

I'm assuming you've opened the letter given you have details on it...if it was addressed to the friend who does not live there, you can hardly send it back as "not known at this address"

Why not ? There is no crime in opening a letter not addressed to you but correctly delivered to your address. OP can and should send it back, maybe with a covering note (without name or signature).

[Deleted User]

No it can't be linked to you.

If the letter is in his name then they'll be after him.

Return to sender - not at this address.

Job done.

ndf9876

molerat wrote: »

Why not ? There is no crime in opening a letter not addressed to you but correctly delivered to your address. OP can and should send it back, maybe with a covering note (without name or signature).

I was just thinking of logistics i.e. torn envelope, having to get an envelope and maybe a stamp etc etc. Nothing to do with crimes, not sure how or why you inferred that :rotfl:

IndianGuy96

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

The letter is addressed to my friend (not me), but I opened it because I was curious as to why someone's correspondence (who I know) is coming to my address. Was wondering if it was something he wanted me to see. If it was someone's random post, I would have binned the letter.

Okay, so by the sounds of it, the debt can in no way be traced back to me, so that's great Thanks for your help guys!