We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Debt company discussing my personal details with dog walker

BabyChick_2
BabyChick_2 Posts: 16 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 13 July 2023 am31 9:16AM in Debt-free wannabe
Hi there

What can be done with a debt company that did the following

- Sent me a letter dated 30th June 2023 (this was the first correspondence I received from the debt agency).This was received via Royal Mail standard post on Thursday 6th July. On Monday 10th July (exactly 2 working days since receiving the letter) an adviser from the debt company called at my home. 

My dog walker opened the door and the advisor proceeded to hand them a letter with details of the debt, what will happen if I don’t pay the debt etc etc. this letter mimicked the one I received just a few days earlier. 

I was not made aware of this visit (according to my ring camera they attended at 12:40pm). On a normal day I would be at work at this time so wouldn’t have been available. The debt company have added on an extra £34 for the “home” visit - even though I wasn’t made aware they would be visiting nor did they make suitable arrangements with me so I could be available. 

I am now concerned that someone who literally walks my dog every now and then knowing all my financial and personal details. 

Surely my account should not be discussed with strangers or anyone else other than myself…. 

I’m not disputing the debt - however I am disputing the amount as the two letters have different amounts on them and when I log in to the debt agency website client portal I’m shown another amount that is nearly half the amount of that shown on the letter 

i have spoken to the debt agency on the phone making them aware of my complaint of having personal details discussed with strangers. I have also questioned why I was only given two days to respond to a non recorded letter that I may have never received. 

I have questioned why they added a home visit charge on there when no where am I told that failure to respond would result in you randomly sending an adviser and charging for the pleasure - their reply was that they only work under the instruction of the company who employed them and that the two days wait was at the company request. I asked if they are aware of the law and giving out sensitive data - it was at that point they didn’t want total, anymore. 

I will obviously be putting my complaint in writing to them and the ‘hiring’ company but is there anything else I can do as this has really worried me. I’m a private person and would have ensured I dealt with this discreetly and quickly - u fortunately I wasn’t entitled to my privacy

Thanks in advance for any advice/help 
«1

Comments

  • roksat
    roksat Posts: 13 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Awful situation. I'm sorry you faced it. Maybe try calling the National Debtline? I know they can consult you in emergency cases.
  • Sorry to hear OP

    Debt collection companies rarely enforce their fees.

    Have they purchased the debt or are they acting on behalf of the company the debt lies with. 

    Have requested this is moved to the Debt Free Wanaabe board :) 
    In the game of chess you can never let your adversary see your pieces
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,061 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Was the letter not in an envelope? 
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • HampshireH
    HampshireH Posts: 4,756 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Why is your dog walker answering your door to people.

    They should have immediately said they weren't you and shut it down. Or not opened it at all.

    But as Elsien says was the letter not in an envelope or are you saying the went on to outline the entire contents of the letter to your dog walker.
  • elsien said:
    Was the letter not in an envelope? 
    Yes unsealed - I’ve got a screenshot of the debt agent holding the opened envelope  
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,061 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 12 July 2023 pm31 8:06PM
    But if it was in an envelope, even if not sealed, then your dog walker was in the wrong for opening it to see what was in it, surely?
    Or is this a more speculative complaint, that she could have read the information had she chosen to do so?
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • pinkshoes
    pinkshoes Posts: 20,351 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I'd just pay the original debt and refuse to pay the home visit fee as 1) you were not at home and 2) it had only been 2 working days since the letter so a visit was not necessary. 

    I'd then look at a GDPR complaint of some sort as they did not verify the ID of the person they handed the unsealed letter to and handed over personal information to a stranger. I'm assuming the metter contained information that would breach GDPR?
    Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
    Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

    No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 34,446 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This definitely needs moving to the debt forum.

    First off, need to disentangle info about exactly what type of debt this is, when you acquired it and last paid it. Do NOT acknowledge the debt in writing until you have advice. Your phone call is not legal acknowledgement.

    Secondly, unless this debt is with bailiffs, they can't go round adding fees. Consumer debt doesn't end up with bailiffs.

    And even if they were bailiffs, they need to confirm that they have the right person before discussing the debt.
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • user1977
    user1977 Posts: 16,713 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Even if there is some technical breach of GDPR, if you let somebody answer your door for you then you'll need to accept that they might find out some of your business!
  • Why is your dog walker answering your door to people.

    They should have immediately said they weren't you and shut it down. Or not opened it at all.

    But as Elsien says was the letter not in an envelope or are you saying the went on to outline the entire contents of the letter to your dog walker.
    My dog walker arrived at my home - and approximately 4 mins later the debt agent arrived as they were walking out the front door. The letter was in an unsealed envelope and Yes they outlined what their visit was for and went on to tell them the amount who it was owed to and what would happen if I don’t pay. It’s irrelevant whether or not the letter was opened the fact that the contents of it were explained is a clear breach of confidentiality.

    The fact they arranged a home visit but neglected to tell me when this was so I could make myself available is underhand tactics to make more money - what if they turn up at my door every week and hit me with a £34 charge each time they do - surely that can’t be fair…. 

    just to clarify this is concerning an energy company that have employed the debt agency to work on their behalf - I don’t believe they have bought the debt as they are telling me that everything they do is only carried out on the say so of whom they are working for. They simply follow instructions and do as they are told. I was told I could contact the energy supplier also and talk to them about the matter….

    thanks for all the replies 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.