Ophelos Debt Collectors

SurferDan

My son had problems with HSBC about 10 years ago. However recently he's been receiving texts from Ophelos asking for him to get in touch re an outstanding debt.
There is no debt it was all sorted a long time ago and my son hasn't banked with HSBC for a long time.
The contact they give is https://connect.ophelos.com
I know Ophelos are debt collectors for HSBC but could this be a scam?

Grumpelstiltskin

Two choices, ignore texts, anything important they must send by snail mail or send them this.

Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Mark_d

I think it'd unlikely to be a scam but it could be an honest mistake.  If your son can demonstrate that his debt with HSBC was cleared then sharing this evidence with the debt collector would be the quickest way to get rid of them

SurferDan

Thanks for your replies.

Brie

Mark_d said:

I think it'd unlikely to be a scam but it could be an honest mistake.  If your son can demonstrate that his debt with HSBC was cleared then sharing this evidence with the debt collector would be the quickest way to get rid of them

Mistake my aunt Fanny!!  This debt company likely bought or borrowed a book of debt from HSBC without any background info and are trying their luck.  A text costs them nothing to send and they might catch a few fish with it.  They will know from experience that there are likely a lot of debts that are statute barred or were settled the day after the data file was set up but they take no interest in looking in to the debts just casting their net and hoping for a good result.  

To the OP - don't ring the company, don't respond by text or email.  Do anything by snail mail and tell them to ERASE any other means of communication.  This will hopefully stop any future harassment. 

Rob5342

Mark_d said:

I think it'd unlikely to be a scam but it could be an honest mistake.  If your son can demonstrate that his debt with HSBC was cleared then sharing this evidence with the debt collector would be the quickest way to get rid of them

It's down to the debt collector to prove you owe something rather than you proving you don't. These companies don't make honest mistakes, they try every devious trick they can come up with to try and fool people into paying things they don't hsve to. 

SurferDan

There is a mobile phone No at the top of each text my son received so I decided to do a few reverse phone number searches and surprise surprise every site I tried identified the numbers provided as debt scams.
Thanks to everyone for your responses.