Rude debt collector at door for PREVIOUS tenant 21 October 2022 at 11:09AM in Debt-free wannabe 8 replies 1K views

dekaspace1

Moved in 2 months ago, had a relative around who opened door to go to shop to find someone in doorway just standing there and gave a name, I recognised it as former tenants name who was in care for months before passing away,

Person had no id, wore no identifying uniform and I came down and he asked about the Scottish Power debt owed, who were we, how long I lived here and multiple times asked for my "details" which I refused to give.

He then asked for proof I had an active account with SP so he could "close the debt" and for a tenancy agreement to prove I moved in when I said etc.

I refused and said he could check with the HA and ask neighbours, he then asked for a "passport or driving license" and I said I had neither and he gave me one of those "really" looks and asked again "are you sure you don't have them"

I gave him a false name and number and let him leave.

I am in Scotland by the way,

Annoyed but is there anything else to be done in case this jerk comes back.

sourcrates

Debt collectors have no power to demand anything, or enter your property, there rights are exactly the same as yours or mine.

You do not have to engage with him at all, as it`s not your debt, stick to your story should they come back.

bargainbetty

If there was a death notice of the former tenant in any local newspaper, print a copy of it and hand that over. Not your deceased person, not your debt. 

EssexHebridean

If he returns I'd suggest not bothering to go down the line of telling him you "don't have" anything he asks for - instead tell him you're not giving him anything at all, that he had precisely no right to to ask, that you have told him you are not the person he is looking for, and that he now needs to go away and stop harassing you. Ask HIM for his name and a card for the company he represents as soon as he shows up. 

TripleH

Agree with EssexHebridean, ask for ID straight away. If none is offered, say nothing.

For all you know, it could be anyone being a nosey so-and-so.

If you find a death notice online for the former tenant, give any confirmed debt collectors that website detail and nothing else, you're not a paid investigator for them.

sourcrates

It`s really simple, it`s not your debt, and you are not the debtor.

This is nothing whatsoever to do with you, the onus is on the DCA to trace the correct debtor and their new address, you don`t have to say, do or prove anything.

No more to be said.

lordmountararat

This happened to me shortly after I moved into a new house. The previous occupant had died (suicide) leaving large debts, and debt collectors kept coming to the door. The problem is that they think you're lying (perhaps quite a lot do lie) and are very persistent. In the end I did show them my passport just to get rid of them. Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow!

diystarter7

Even when seeking an ID as stated here by others, take it with a pinch of salt as there are fake ones around,
Look up the ID on the net and give them a call on the number you find and not the one on their ID etc
If they are genuine, they won't mind if you tell them you are worried as they may not be genuine.

EssexHebridean

diystarter7 said:

Even when seeking an ID as stated here by others, take it with a pinch of salt as there are fake ones around,
Look up the ID on the net and give them a call on the number you find and not the one on their ID etc
If they are genuine, they won't mind if you tell them you are worried as they may not be genuine.

Absolutely do NOT make contact by telephone if the debt isn't your OP - keep this very simple indeed. "No, I'm not that person. I believe they died. I can't help you any further, now please please immediately."