pursued for a relatives debt

explorer

Can anyone advise me what steps I can take to stop debt agencies coming to my door and generally harassing me for debts that belong to my parents. They have NEVER lived at my property. I used to live with them but when they sold their house {to pay off the large debts they had) I moved back in to the flat I own. I do not know how these people got my address. My parents now live in rented accomodation, I do not have any unpaid debts and have a good credit rating, I,m worried that this might affect my address although its not my debt. I also have no intentions of giving out my parents address, they are both in poor health and lost everything to pay most of their debt.

Thanks, I will be grateful for any advice.

msmicawber

This won't affect your credit rating - that's tied to your name, not your address. There's no such thing as credit black-listing on an address any more.

As for how you stop the debt agencies from coming to you, I'm not sure. I would write to them telling them that Mr and Mrs X do not and never have lived at this address although they appear to share your surname and to stop harrassing you (that way you're not even acknowledging that they're related to you). I'm not sure what else you can do, but hopefully someone else can advise.

setmefree

Send the DCA this, and never sign your name on any letter you send them always print,Dca's have been knowing to copy signatures


Client Ref No
Your Ref. No.
Dear Sir/Madam

You have contacted me regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself.

I would point out that I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert name here).

I am are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my liability for the debt in question.

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully

explorer

Hi

Thanks for the replies, I will use this information and hopefully stop these thugs coming to my door and asking neighbours about the number of people that live with me (this happened after I submitted the post)

Thanks again