Debt Collection Threat Letter

sheepenhurder

Letter received this morning from Barratt Smith Brown addressed to another company called Executor Debenhams Otterway (which in itself sounds scammy). First received same letter a year ago which I returned to sender as addressee unknown, heard nothing more. The letter says £209.25 is owed to "Together Energy" (not ever had any dealings with them, previous owner didn't either) and to pay within 7 days or their collection agency people will be visiting. When the first letter arrived, we hadn't long moved in, therefore, these chancers could be targeting elderly people in the hope they'll be frightened into coughing up. The previous owner was elderly but had also been living in care for over a year where they passed away, executors were their family. I'm not going to contact this company in any form as they will then know of my details. The only details they appear to have is house number and postal code, no road name or addressee name or supposed energy account number.  They have a telephone number on the letter 0116 296 1438 which I googled, it shows BSB as being originator but considered a dangerous number. The return address on envelope appears to be a central mailing unit. According to Companies House, previous company name was Corporate Debt Solutions- Global Ltd. Proper investigations really need to be conducted as to this company's activities.        

la531983

Return to sender then, it isnt in your name so it isnt your problem. If anyone visits show them you bought the house and that will be the end of it.

CKhalvashi

Return to sender.

Anyone can flag a number as 'dangerous' on unofficial websites. This doesn't mean it's not legitimate but it equally legally isn't your problem.

EssexHebridean

If the letter isn't addressed to you, then really no need to do anything more than pop it back in the post marked "not at this address". I really wouldn't be inclined to waste any more energy than that on it.

If a debt collector should turn up at the door asking for the person the letter was addressed to, then you simply need to tell them they have the wrong address and that nobody/no company of that name can be found there. Don't give any of your own personal details, and don't provide them with any documents. 

la531983

Debenhams Ottaway are a law firm, have you slightly mistyped the name?

https://www.debenhamsottaway.co.uk/

Have they maybe sent it to the wrong address for a person they were dealing with the estate of, that person being an ex resident of the house you bought? And the letter should have gone to their business premises?

CKhalvashi

la531983 said:

Debenhams Otterway are a law firm

https://www.debenhamsottaway.co.uk/

Have they maybe sent it to the wrong address for a person they were dealing with the estate of, that person being an ex resident of the house you bought?

Likely yes.

Both Eon and British Gas were a nightmare to deal with in an estate situation so I wouldn't be surprised.

Neither of my grandparents had anything significant on their credit reports as most accounts were opened before credit reporting. This may also be the case here.

FreeBear

sheepenhurder said: I'm not going to contact this company in any form as they will then know of my details. The only details they appear to have is house number and postal code, no road name or addressee name or supposed energy account number.

Without a name, they won't be able to file an MCOL claim or use any other legitimate legal methods to get money out of you. Just drop the letters in the recycling bin without even opening them.

sheepenhurder

I realise all of what is written above but as its not the first letter received here. More than likely scammers as no Law firms were involved in the the previous owners Will. Even well known legitimate companies try their luck and bully money out of people of all ages. Cold callers survive by conning money because they've hit on the right thing at the right time.  Prevention is better than cure. 

badmemory

Unless you are going to be walking passed a post box I wouldn't waste your energy.  They won't believe a not at this address or gone away because too many people tell that lie.

brewerdave

There are literally thousands of people being chased by BSB on behalf of the administrators of Together Energy.  Many of these people have posted on a Facebook customer support group to say that they have never been customers of Together Energy or that their closing balances are completely wrong or already settled. 
DO NOT attempt to deal with BSB . As others have said ,return to sender as "unknown at this address" or redirect to the solicitors as above.

FreeBear

brewerdave said:

There are literally thousands of people being chased by BSB on behalf of the administrators of Together Energy.  Many of these people have posted on a Facebook customer support group to say that they have never been customers of Together Energy or that their closing balances are completely wrong or already settled. 
DO NOT attempt to deal with BSB . As others have said ,return to sender as "unknown at this address" or redirect to the solicitors as above.

And to add to the confusion, BSB suffered a data breach which resulted in a big list of names falling in to the hands of scammers. Saw several posts here about people being contacted by these scammers in an attempt to con them out of money.

Debt collectors are not pleasant to deal with, and some will lie and cheat to get what they think are owed (even resorting to harassment of relatives after the debtor has died). (Almost) legalised scamming, so reason enough to give them the runaround. Or if they don't have a name, just ignore, same as you would with any other scam.