Debt collectors

[elan_fan]

Ok here's the story

My mate starts to get phone calls to work, which is odd because the phone calls come through to his work mobile from the switchboard and he stupidly, believing them to be someone official from work gives his address.

next thing he knows he gets a letter from one of these famous dirt bag DCAs demanding money for a debt that has been sold on.

Now as luck would have it the debt was from a bank and this just happens to be the same bank he has been with for years.So he phones them up breathing fire and slaughter and obviously they don't know anything about it and appologise etc etc.As he has had the wind up him he has checked his credit rating and so he says, it is exemplary.

So he comes to me with the story and I think "I know just the place to get the answer, -a car related forum"

Whats his next move? do the prove it letter thing or just ignore until the dills make a nice quality noose for themselves.

Will they be able to give his credit rating a knock if he ignores the tts even though they quite obviously have the wrong person?

[NNH]

When a debt is sold to a DCA, they are supposed to commit to follow the same customer processes as the original owner. I think it's now the bank's problem to sort out.

[PurpleMoonlight]

It's likely the debt is for someone with the same name, and the DCA is contacting everyone they can with that name.

He should write back and dispute the debt and request proof. He should state that any further contact from them without this will be deemed harassment and a complaint made to the OFT.

[elan_fan]

Yes I've seen the template letters. And they need to be sent unsigned and by recorded post. Most people seem to have had problems in the past when these idiots latch on but what my mate wants to know is what happens if you ignore the letters when it clearly is not your debt.

[Simpo Two]

Ignoring things will only make them ramp it up and the fight will get bigger. If the debt is big enough he might get a court summons and if he does nothing then a default CCJ and if he does nothing then maybe some bailiffs will turn up at his door. If that's what he wants, let him do nothing.

[elan_fan]

I'll pass on that he needs to contact them, although I guess that it has to go before a magistrate before the baliffs get involved. But I guess to save hassle in the long term he needs to nip it in the bud.

[Simpo Two]

elan_fan said:

I guess that it has to go before a magistrate before the baliffs get involved.

That's the CCJ bit. Of course if the debt is only £50 they won't bother, merely sabre rattle and witter on about credit rating. But generally it is best to stamp out the smouldering embers before they catch fire. The bigger the debt the more worthwhile it is for them to pursue.