Pestered by a debt recovery service

[offshorematt2]

Having seen threads somewhat familiar to this in the past I hoped someone on here can suggest how to resolve this situation?

For the last six months or so, we've been receiving regular calls for someone called Nadia from a debt collection agency. When queried they have confirmed that the address they have for her does not remotely match ours but obviously she has given someone the wrong number at some point (we've had this number for the last 3 1/2 years). It's a nuisance and despite being requested seven times(!) now to remove the number from their records, they still keep phoning back. This morning my other half 1471'd them and phoned back - the guy got shirty and wouldn't put her through to a manager without a reference number (which we obviously don't have). He also wouldn't listen to her explanation and kept interrupting so she just hung up. I'm holding off phoning them up to rocket them in the hope that someone on here knows the process better - I assume they aren't very trusting and that they hope we are eventually going to slip up and say, 'yeah, this is Nadia'

So is there a magic threat I can use that will make them p*ss off? Or in reality, is the only solution to change my phone number (not ideal and even more of a nuisance).

I assume that I'm not exposed to any credit rating issues as they hold a different address for this Nadia chick? But maybe somebody knows better?

Any advice gratefully received!

Regards
Matt

Edited by offshorematt2 on Wednesday 27th May 10:15

[g_attrill]

You could quote that it is harassment and if they don't stop you will be contacting the police/OFT etc. I don't think it is technially harassment since it's probably an admin cock-up and not intended to harass you, but it might get their asses in gear. Do you have the name of the company? It might be best to send a letter outlining the circumstances and insisting they remove all instances of your number from their records.

Finally, if you can't get it to stop you can phone the BT malicious calls centre and they should offer you a month's free "Choose to Refuse" which blocks specific numbers from calling you, even if the number is witheld (you dial a code after receiving a call you want to block). You might be able to get this extended further for free.

[offshorematt2]

g_attrill said:

You could quote that it is harassment and if they don't stop you will be contacting the police/OFT etc. I don't think it is technially harassment since it's probably an admin cock-up and not intended to harass you, but it might get their asses in gear. Do you have the name of the company? It might be best to send a letter outlining the circumstances and insisting they remove all instances of your number from their records.

Finally, if you can't get it to stop you can phone the BT malicious calls centre and they should offer you a month's free "Choose to Refuse" which blocks specific numbers from calling you, even if the number is witheld (you dial a code after receiving a call you want to block). You might be able to get this extended further for free.

Thanks for that. I kind of agree - it's not really harassment when you step back from it. They're not phoning every day or anything. It's just become a bit of a PITA. I do have their company name, but I'm loathe to write to them or give them my address as I want as little to do with the situation as possible. Bit of a Catch 22. I'm sure if I gave them my name and address, I could get the fabled 'reference number' but I don't want a f'ing reference number or to be recorded on their database - I just want them to stop phoning! I have a nasty feeling if I tell them where I live, the next thing will be a letter through the door - then potentially I am at the next level of credit risk...

Think I'll see what BT has to say, as you suggest.

[thinfourth2]

If the address is wildly different say to them yeah just come round and take the telly

Job done