First Direct Logistics + HFO got the wrong person!

Slavo

I am looking for some help. My grandad received a card through the post from First Direct Logistics. Being elderly, he did not pay attention to the fact that it came with the post (2nd class franked). Seeing that that there was a freephone number, he called it.

Two days later, in the mail, came an A4 letter from HBO. Name correct, and also the correct address. Now my grandfather has only ever been in debt to buy his house (which was paid long ago). He has had other debt collection agencies sending him mail. It appears someone with the same name owes money...

Being 76 he and my grandmother get really worked up about these things so I have taken the documentation and promised to sort it for them.

Is there a way of getting these companies to stop sending my grandparents mail? So far, they have stopped 2 other companies, one actually gave a written apology. However, it appears there are either more debts this man they are after owes, or more likely, the debt sold on and the 'new' creditors try their luck once more.

Having read the horror stories about this company, I would like advice as to how to go about handling this.

Many thanks in advance,

Slavo.

Slavo

Can anyone help?

Turtle

I don't understand this problem. What's first direct logistics? Who are HFO?

Turtle

Sorry that sounds a bit agressive. What does it say on the card from fd?

Jenna

Hi there,

How horrible for your parents to receive such a letter, I can imagine that they would be upset/worried by it. And it's nice of you to want to sort it out for them!

Just to confirm it's illegal for DCAs to chase someone for the debt that isn't liable for it (even if they have the same name!). I would suggest sending a letter along these lines (obviously, just edit the details to reflect your parents info):

Dear XXX,

I acknowledge no debt to your company.

I refer to your letter (enclosed) in which you claim that I have an outstanding debt, to COMPANY NAME, of £X.

I would like to inform you that I do not have (nor have I ever had) any debt to COMPANY NAME.

You will be aware that, under Section 2.8 a the Office of Fair Trading 'Guidelines for Debt Collection, the Office of Fair Trading considers it to be 'Deceptive and Unfair' to 'Send a demand for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question, for example, threatening debt recovery action to 'the occupier' or sending a payment demand to all people sharing the same name/date of birth as a debtor in the hope that contact with the debtor may be made.'

I would, therefore, ask you to cease, forthwith, any further contact with me and I instruct you to remove my name, address and any other of my personal details that you hold, from your records.

I would like written confirmation, within the next 7 days, that you have done this.

Any further contact, whether by letter, telephone or personal visit, in connection with the aforementioned 'alleged debt', from your company, will be considered as 'harassment' contrary to Section 40 (1) of the Administration of Justice Act, 1970, and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Yours faithfully,

XXX

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier, the boards are quite fast moving so sometimes posts slip off the first few pages and get missed - thanks for bumping it back up again!

OK - hope that helps & you can get it all sorted out

Slavo

Dear Jenna,

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to help. I have printed out the letter and will be sending it soon. It is greatfully received.

Kindest regards,

Slavo



Turtle: HFO are a debt collection agency, FDL are a 'so-called' logistics company. However, search these forums for examples of practice in which these companies operate.

Slavo

Well it looks as though HFO are still not happy! 4 months after the letter sent to them (as displayed in a previous post by Jenna)...

My grandfather has received yet more correspondence containing copy statements for someone else's credit cards and a photocopy of a credit agreement between this man and Morgan Stanley in 2004. It states "Please find enclosed copy statements and a copy of the original agreement as requested in relation to the above account. Please contact our offices on <phone no.> to set up a payment plan on this account and avoid further action from going through.

Now my grandfather shares only his first name and surname with the intended man. the differences include:

- Different date of birth to that listed on the credit agreement.
- An address, although in the same city, one which my grandfather never lived. They have been at their present address for 27 years.
- A different middle initial (readable by the signature).
- (obviously) a different signature.
- My grandfather has never had any dealings with Morgan Stanley.

He has also reported receiving phone calls but he never stays on the phone to find out who it is. I cannot know for sure that it is HFO that is calling.

What I would like is advice as to what can be done to get these people off my grandfather's back. He has recently undergone major back surgery and I am again helping out as best I can.

Is there now any legal action that can be taken? This is causing my grandparents considerable stress and it must be stopped.

Many thanks,

Slavo

savingholmes

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to the question - perhaps it would be worth sending a private message to the person who originally posted the letter for you.

adrian2000

It is a scam, If you go to Google, you will see lots of reports about it.

Apparently you get a card through the door, saying the tried to deliver a parcel, but the card is posted to you and not hand delivered.

They then get you to phone and ask for all of your details and then write to you claiming you owe them money.

Go and look on google for full details.

There is also something on here. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=344502

Hope this helps

Adrian

Jenna

Hi,

Thanks for the PM! Well I am not really an expert on this, but my personal opinion is that you should contact Consumer Direct and/or the Financial Ombudsman Service (websites below):

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/contact

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm

They give phone numbers (remember www.saynoto0870.com!) and email addresses too. I am not sure which one is the best one to contact, but I'm pretty sure that they'd point you in the right direction, anyway. If they don't you could also get in touch with the CAB.

In the meantime - and MOST IMPORTANTLY - do not contact the company, and make sure that your parents don't either. Tell them they are scammers trying to extract money from them and they are not to pay any attention to them (put them into Google or search on the forums if you want a little anecdoctal evidence!).

OK ... hope some of that has helped ... sorry I can't really be very definite, I don't know a great deal about this stuff really - the company that I wrote to stopped writing after that first letter. Maybe someone wiser than me will log on soon!

Take care - let me know how it goes!

Staceyh_2

just to bump this thread, I got one of these this morning. I haven't called yet, i got a funny feeling about it so i thought i'd check first! And i'm glad i did!! Anyone reccomend what to do? Should i report then to someone or just ignore it and throw it away?

They posted it to my old address, I havent lived there for 3 years now!!