Constant Loan/Debt Collection Letters To Wrong Address?

focus888

Hi All,

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I've recently started receiving letters from a loan/debt company for someone I don't know. (Maybe they entered wrong address details I only realised it was a debt company by the return address on back of letter)
I lived at my address for years and this has only just started happening. I keep returning letters to sender but what if it keeps happening. Should I be concerned at all about this please? Thanks

[Deleted User]

No need to be concerned. 

Either just return to sender, ignore, or call them to tell them that the person no longer lives there and they're to stop sending mail.

May or may not work, but it depends on how much effort you're willing to put in.

Personally, I'd just bin them (probably after having a quick read).

MalMonroe

Hi, I agree with zx81. Especially as it isn't your name on the letters. You cannot be held accountable if the company has incorrect details. 

username

Just write return to sender and put it in the post box when you are next out and about. Ideally with a message that the person does not live here (and never has).

Don't bother phoning or telling them who you are. Phoning is just about the worst, they will probably cite data protection for being unable to do anything or ask you for your life story, and you don't really want to be intertwined into this person's dealings.

The person whose debt it is either stupid, evasive or both.

DCFC79

How wrong is the address ?
Is it just 1 letter difference ?

cajef

As the return address is on the envelope, just write 'Not Known at this Address, Return to Sender' on the envelope and put it back in the post.

focus888

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I was just worried that if they didn't get an response from that person bailiffs might turn up or my address gets marked on my credit reports.

Letter had my correct address so either the person gave them my address deliberately to avoid them or the company misheard them. I don't recognise the name at all.

I've received a couple of letters so far and i've sent them all back to sender with note that person doesn't live here and to stop sending letters. Hopefully that was the last of it. Thanks again everyone. 

Ergates

DCFC79 said:

How wrong is the address ?
Is it just 1 letter difference ?

The OP doesn't know the person, so they're unlikely to know how wrong the address is.

Ergates

focus888 said:

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I was just worried that if they didn't get an response from that person bailiffs might turn up or my address gets marked on my credit reports.

Letter had my correct address so either the person gave them my address deliberately to avoid them or the company misheard them. I don't recognise the name at all.

I've received a couple of letters so far and i've sent them all back to sender with note that person doesn't live here and to stop sending letters. Hopefully that was the last of it. Thanks again everyone. 

Credit records are linked to the person, not the address so there is no worry on that regard.

In the unlikely circumstance that bailiffs did turn up at your door, it would be easy to get rid of them by proving you're not the person in question.

[Deleted User]

Ergates said:

DCFC79 said:

How wrong is the address ?
Is it just 1 letter difference ?

The OP doesn't know the person, so they're unlikely to know how wrong the address is.

It could be something simple like the wrong post code but right house number for example hence the question.

There are several roads in the UK with my house number and same line of address, obviously different post codes.

If OP got a letter to 123 Fake Street AB12 3DE but they lived at 123 Foke Street AB12 3FG and know the postcode is right/wrong or just a letter different, it could be a matter of putting them in the right direction.

Jami74

focus888 said:

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I was just worried that if they didn't get an response from that person bailiffs might turn up or my address gets marked on my credit reports.

I had someone turn up at my address once, guessing debt collector rather than bailiffs although I wouldn't know the difference. I opened the door and a big scary looking man wearing black said a name I didn't recognise so I said "No". Then he asked if I knew them and told him no again. I was obviously convincing because he apologised for disturbing me and I wished him luck finding them and he went on his way.

I don't think they go straight from letters to vans and body builders with machete's so it's probably not worth worrying about. Maybe having some ID close on hand (council tax letter/drivers licence) would make you feel more reassured that you could prove you weren't the person they were looking for if anyone ever does turn up to confiscate your TV.