CRS Debt Recovery

TLH80

I have received a random text message out of the blue, saying that CRS are trying to recover a debt of almost £400 for SSE. 
Logged in following the link in the text and it simply says what I've said above. Contacted CRS today who do not have any additional information. Contacted JC International Acquisitions who apparently enlisted CRS to chase the debt. No further info from them either. Contacted both OVO and SSE, neither of whom have ever heard of me, or supplied my Gas or Electricity. I'm more than happy to ignore it until they can fashion some kind of proof that I owe this money BUT my worry is that I'm due to remortgage soon and have worked really hard to improve my credit rating and score in the run up to this. If I ignore (or wait to see if they have proof) is there a risk they will add a default to my credit file and damage my chances of being able to remortgage?

SusieT

It is probably a fishing message to anyone with your surname and/or initial  Best way is to use the free credit agency checks to see if a debt is appearing there. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/
One thing to note with the remortgage, if you are staying with the same provider and just doing a product switch to a new fixed term, they very rarely do a credit check as you just click a few times online and its done automatically. 

sourcrates

Never respond to random text messages or emails, most are spam or attempts at fraud.

If you are been chased by a DCA for a debt, and they want to be serious, they will write to you.

Until, or unless that happens, just ignore it.

Defaults are added by the original creditor (if applicable), and not some random DCA chasing the debt.
Only the owner of a debt can report on that debts status to a CRA, debt collectors don`t own the debts they chase, they are just working on behalf of the debts owner, that is unless the debt has been sold, if that is the case, you would have been informed in writing.

By the time a debt collector gets involved, any default would normally, already have been added to your credit file.

TLH80

Fab. Thanks for that. No debt showing on any credit file so shouldn’t be an issue. 

Sadly my remortgage is more complicated. I need to remove one person and add another so will be shopping the whole of market! 

matdifkaren

It seems CRS are buying debt from other companies. I had one from Virgin media for £60 fora SIM card that was settled 4 years ago. Obviously Virgin Media records are not up to date but they are making money out of this. I’m going to complain to the CEO.