Bank wrong address

tony3619

Hello, 

So I received a letter for someone else but with my address on it. 

It was from a bank saying they are starting recovery action for outstanding debt. 

Im not sure what to do or who to contact as it's not in my name but my address is listed so it's not someone attempting fraud using my identity as such. 

BoGoF

Write "return to sender - not known at this address" on it and pop it in a postbox next time you are passing

tony3619

BoGoF said:

Write "return to sender - not known at this address" on it and pop it in a postbox next time you are passing

The letter has been opened. Can I I just tape it up and sent like that?

Keep_pedalling

The trouble is that is what people do when trying to dodge debts. I would ring the bank to inform them that this person is unknown to you and does not live at your address.

Dont worry about having opened it that is entirely within your rights to do so.

GeoffTF

Keep_pedalling said:

The trouble is that is what people do when trying to dodge debts. I would ring the bank to inform them that this person is unknown to you and does not live at your address.

The bank will not be able to verify your identity. I would just return the letter with "not known at this address".

[Deleted User]

Keep_pedalling said:

The trouble is that is what people do when trying to dodge debts. I would ring the bank to inform them that this person is unknown to you and does not live at your address.

Dont worry about having opened it that is entirely within your rights to do so.

They will eventually block the account or take further action. Not much else the OP can do. 

born_again

tony3619 said:

Hello, 

So I received a letter for someone else but with my address on it. 

It was from a bank saying they are starting recovery action for outstanding debt. 

Im not sure what to do or who to contact as it's not in my name but my address is listed so it's not someone attempting fraud using my identity as such. 

Is this a bank, you bank with?
If yes, ring them & point out the error, might be worth a few £ as a complaint.

If not, then simply return as not know at address.

mab3000

born_again said:

tony3619 said:

Hello, 

So I received a letter for someone else but with my address on it. 

It was from a bank saying they are starting recovery action for outstanding debt. 

Im not sure what to do or who to contact as it's not in my name but my address is listed so it's not someone attempting fraud using my identity as such. 

Is this a bank, you bank with?
If yes, ring them & point out the error, might be worth a few £ as a complaint.

If not, then simply return as not know at address.

Not sure the bank would offer compensation in this instance. The person the letter was intended for has given the OP’s address to that bank at some point. If the person had lived at this address  previously but not updated the address with the bank for example, it’s not the banks error that the person hasn’t update their address.  

The best thing to do is not open any further correspondence, and as BoGoF has said, pop the letter back in the post with ‘return to sender not know at this address’ written on it. The bank will then place a gone away marker on that persons profile and follow their processes with dealing with the issue. 

tony3619

GeoffTF said:

Keep_pedalling said:

The trouble is that is what people do when trying to dodge debts. I would ring the bank to inform them that this person is unknown to you and does not live at your address.

The bank will not be able to verify your identity. I would just return the letter with "not known at this address".

This is what I thought, it's not like they are using my identity. Even if I phone the bank (which isn't my bank) surely without me being the account holder they wouldn't be able to change anything anyway?

My main concern was if I suddenly had bailiff's outside my property demanding access. As mentioned the letter said the recovery of debt has been passed to a debt collector.

I will send the letter back and if I receive any more letters I may phone the bank.

friolento

This looks relevant

www.stepchange.org/debt-info/your-rights/debts-not-in-my-name.aspx

SiliconChip

mab3000 said:

born_again said:

tony3619 said:

Hello, 

So I received a letter for someone else but with my address on it. 

It was from a bank saying they are starting recovery action for outstanding debt. 

Im not sure what to do or who to contact as it's not in my name but my address is listed so it's not someone attempting fraud using my identity as such. 

Is this a bank, you bank with?
If yes, ring them & point out the error, might be worth a few £ as a complaint.

If not, then simply return as not know at address.

Not sure the bank would offer compensation in this instance. The person the letter was intended for has given the OP’s address to that bank at some point. If the person had lived at this address  previously but not updated the address with the bank for example, it’s not the banks error that the person hasn’t update their address.  

On the other hand if the account was opened after the OP moved to their current address then the bank failed to correctly verify the address of the person opening the account, and as that might be worth a few quid it might be worth putting in a complaint anyway.