Debt company has my contact number but it’s not my account

BL2022123 · 14 October 2022 at 12:20PM

Hi please could anyone help.

I am received relentless texts and calls from past due credit for a debt that is not mine. The account is in the name of a man that I know from schools. He is not relation, never been partners, never lived with him. He’s given my number and I don’t know why.

Anyway I have called them in the past and given them his number. It’s continued and I called them again today. They said they would remove my phone number if I gave them my address and name and would put it as a “Gone away” I told them I was not comfortable giving address as they should not need it. Also he has not gone away from the address as he’s never lived with me! They said unless I give them that info the calls and texts will continue.

Please note this has not affected my credit file so far. They just have my number. The woman didn’t seem to believe me.

What can I do? I don’t want to have to change my mobile number!

Any ideas?

Also i have tried blocking number but they still get through!

sourcrates · 14 October 2022 at 12:36PM

You need to write to them and tell them you are not the debtor they are looking for.

Never phone, you will not get anywhere, as you have found out.

Tell them to remove your number from their database immediately or face the prospect of explaining themselves to the ICO.

BL2022123 · 14 October 2022 at 12:38PM

sourcrates said:

You need to write to them and tell them you are not the debtor they are looking for.

Never phone, you will not get anywhere, as you have found out.

Tell them to remove your number from their database immediately or face the prospect of explaining themselves to the ICO.

thank you. When i write to them should i give them any personal details? i just dont want to be anymore linked to the debt that i already am? i wont give them address but is there any issue with giving my full name do you think?

sourcrates · 14 October 2022 at 1:54PM

Well, you cannot just write anonymously, as the company concerned has to be sure it`s communicating with the actual debtor, for data protection reasons, if nothing else.

They can`t link you to a debt that is not yours, those days are long gone, this isn`t about the debt anyway, it`s about them using your contact number, this is a data protection issue.

Explain that you are not the debtor, but they have given your phone number as a contact number, without your permission, that number is yours, not the debtors, and they should delete it from their systems immediately.

As the debt is not yours, they cannot discuss it with you, but they should act on your data protection instructions straight away.

peteuk · 18 October 2022 at 7:21AM

we had a similar issue with Shell Energy, only they had my sons mobile number (aged 17 - living at home never had an energy account). I got it removed by phone, pure luck that when I called I got someone who knew what to do.

It’s difficult because data protection says they can’t open the account as your not the count holder. But it also states that the information held must be accurate and correct.

Other than phone calls, there should be no action against you, unless he has used other details, which again you can asked to be removed should that be the case.