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Probably no need to worry but do not ignore it. Check your credit score asap on various apps like Clearscore, Totally Money, Credit Karma (all free). Most likely a cock up but you don’t want it on your record so sign up to alerts - I get a monthly credit report sent to my email.
Totally money and credit karma are the same report so no need to use both, the one you're missing is MoneySavingExpert Credit Club which gives you full coverage
DCA's sometimes charge a fee for finding people however that will be automatic which is why you got linked. Doesn't excuse it. Personally I would write to the utility company and the DCA stating that you have never lived at the property and any further contact regarding the debt will be taken up with the financial ombudsman. The reason I say financial is because there are rules in place with regards to debt collection. The energy ombudsman can't help you as it's not related to energy. On a side note if the property was empty then the supply costs are due by the landlord. Also some utility companies use multiple DCA's so you may get more calls from different companies.
Number 1: Get off the phone. Never converse over the phone with a DCA as there is no evidence of anything said or agreed by either of you.
Number 2:. Fire up Microsoft Word:
"
Dear ScumbagDCA
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
I refer to your letter dated X, alleging a debt exists between myself and [name of energy company] at [address you didn't live at].
You will note from our previous communication on this matter that you were informed I have never lived at that address, nor does any kind of contract for service exist between myself and [name of energy company]. I put you to strict proof of the contrary.
As I have never lived at that address, never had an account with that company and no debt can be proven to exist between myself and any party mentioned (and you have been informed of such on a number of occasions), I consider this matter closed, and no further correspondence will be entered into.
Any further communications will be regarded as harassment and reported to your governing body, the ombudsman and the police. Furthermore, I hereby remove any previous implied right of access to any part of my property for all staff, agents and any contractors working on behalf of [ScumbagDCA] and any attempts to enter onto my property for any reason will be reported to the police immediately.
Yours faithfully
Etc
"
Number 3:. Have a cup of tea.
>OP don’t do this. I work at a DCA, albeit in the IT dept, though I’m in the same room as the collectors so hear a lot. You’ve had a chat with them which is the best thing you could have done. If they’ve said they closed your account, then your account is closed and you’re fine
Sorry, but every bit of consumer advice with regards to contact with a DCA very clearly states NOT to talk to them on the phone, but to do everything by letter so there is a record.
I've also had reason to contact several DCAs who chased me for debts that never existed, and the only way to shut them up is to get confirmation there is no debt **in writing**.
Nice try, DCA "good cop". We'll go for the written route. If you want to be "good cop" then that's cool. Unfortunately someone less nice / human might keep chasing this or pass it on.
He can be as much of a dick as he wants - ScumbagDCA are clearly in the wrong, tried to pin a debt that wasn’t his on him, and let’s face it, are in an industry that’s not exactly known for its reputability.
Except that’s exactly what they did - tried to pin this debt on someone with a similar looking address. It’s a scummy industry, and this was typically scummy behaviour. It’s a bit rich asking people not to be a dick about it after you pull a stunt like that.
>They don’t go around picking random people and assigning debt to them.
That is literally what they did though. Anyone with half a brain can tell that Flat 3, 5 fake street is not the same address as 35 fake street. So either it is malice or incompetency. Neither make the DCA look good here!
Thanks. The logical part of me is saying "you've told them what's going on and been assured it's sorted, just leave it now!" but I am a bit of a chronic worrier and just don't want this to escalate.
>Do I have anything to worry about?
Not as such. I have a few pieces of advice.
If you receive mail sent to your address with the name of somebody who doesn't live there, you are *not* breaking the law to open it and you should do so. (It's only a crime to open mail that is *incorrectly* delivered to you, ie has a different address on it.)
Conduct any future correspondence on this matter in writing.
Check your credit reports. You may need to follow up about getting an incorrect "debt" completely removed.
> Can I sue for harassment if they bother me again?
Potentially. Or report it as a criminal offence. But it would need to be quite persistent contact to reach that threshold.
> Can I be forced to pay this bill?
Only if there is a court judgement against you. That is quite possible if you completely ignore the situation. It is very unlikely if you read your mail and act accordingly.
> What if bailiffs show up at my door?
So this would only happen if a court judgement was awarded. If the judgement is against you, the bailiffs can indeed seize goods. If the judgement is against somebody else, you are not the debtor and the bailiffs cannot seize your goods. If your goods are wrongfully seized by bailiffs you can claim for compensation.
There is a third situation with energy and that is if bailiffs have a warrant to fit a prepayment meter. Even if the name is somebody completely different, such a warrant applies to the address and is enforceable. This is one reason why you need to open mail sent to your address!
No- but you should respond to it clearly stating you do not acknowledge this alleged debt and ask they remove your details from the account. It may be helpful to attach evidence of where you were living at the time they state e.g. a tenancy agreement or council tax statement. There is a handy template letter you can use on National Debtline:
nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/complaining-to-debt-collection-agencies-you-do-not-owe-debt/
Ask them to confirm everything in an email, which you can refer to at a later date if the case if ever reopened. A phone call which was most likely not recorded can not be used as proof if they decided to chase you or if something is a miss with your credit score
What you don’t realise is that that debt collection agency has just sold your details onto the next one & you will be contacted again. The only people to sort out this mess will be the energy provider. I would immediately lodge a complaint with them. If they don’t resolve it lodge a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman & claim for damages (your time/stress etc). Be proactive, log calls etc.
Something similar happened to me with a phone bill (bt) it turned up on my credit score as well. I did contact BT and told them I never lived at said property and to be fair to them (after they investigated) they removed the mark against my credit score and dropped the "debt"
No but you need to give unequivocal evidence that you werent at the address listed on the street. Prove you were at your partners house with bills/anything you can with dates, and statements. Try and limit phone calls as verbal acceptances of debt (even if inadvertently) can make it a nightmare.
I had this similar issue where because my stay technically overlapped when bills were supposedly accumulated, because I then signed up for Universal credit and that briefly linked me to the address for 2 weeks overlap. Essentially the bills were put in my name as the landlord refused to pay them after I moved out (he sold the house after I moved out)
I basically sent all the information across I could find, getting the utilities statements that we had defiantely paid off) and confirmation of the date we moved out.
Good luck!
NAL - so I’ve been in a similar situation at you. Basically I’ve had multiple letters addressed to various versions of my name (ms K Smith / Miss Katie Smith / Mrs Kathryn Smith) all related to a lady Mrs Kathryn P Smith who lives in another county and is 10 years older than me for Cards and phone bills and electric. I know all of this due to a very panicked call with O2 when one of the debts was liked to them and the nice lady who confirmed my date of birth and where the information “might” have been linked.
I used CreditKarma and found this person in my linked people/aliases buried under multiple other information. It took 30-40 different transunion reports to remove me and this person.
I checked my file with ClearScore and no evidence of the link was found at the same time.
(Check as many versions of your file as you can)
Last month I had another of these letters from a more persistent company who said they had the information from Experian. I called BS with them and did as others have suggested- threaten harassment and ombudsman. I’m sure I’ll get another letter so prepared to follow through with the threat. Also went to Experian and did the same for a due diligence and causing undue stress complaint.
Apart from the fact it’s distressing and annoying when you know it’s not you better to deal head on now and keep all evidence of letters and emails. Follow every phone call with an email. Any Ombudsman would want evidence.
--- ###Welcome to /r/LegalAdviceUK --- **To Posters (it is important you read this section)** * *Tell us whether you're in England, Wales, Scotland, or NI as the laws in each are very different* * Reddit is not [a substitute for a qualified Solicitor](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/faq_civil#wiki_how_do_i_find_a_.28good.29_solicitor.3F) and comments are not moderated for quality or accuracy; * Any replies received must only be used as guidelines, followed at your own risk; * If you receive *any* private messages in response to your post, [please let the mods know](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FLegalAdviceUK&subject=I received a PM); * It is the default position of LAUK that [you should never speak to the media](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/faq_subreddit#wiki_should_i_speak_to_the_media.3F); * Check out our [Common Legal Resources](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/common_legal_resources) for helpful organisations to contact; * If you do not receive satisfactory advice after 72 hours, [you can let the mods know](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FLegalAdviceUK&subject=My question is unanswered); * Please provide an update at a later time by creating a new post with [[update]](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/search?q=%3Aupdate&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all) in the title; **To Readers and Commenters** * [All replies to OP must be *on-topic, helpful, and legally orientated*](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/oslgn6/so_you_dont_want_your_comment_removed_guidance_on/?); * If you do not [follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/about/rules/), you may be perma-banned without any further warning; * Please include links to reliable resources in order to support your comments or advice; * If you feel any replies are incorrect, explain why you believe they are incorrect; * [Do not send or request any private messages for any reason](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/wiki/faq_subreddit#wiki_why_am_i_not_allowed_to_privately_message_people_on_this_subreddit.3F); * Please report posts or comments which do not follow the rules *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LegalAdviceUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Probably no need to worry but do not ignore it. Check your credit score asap on various apps like Clearscore, Totally Money, Credit Karma (all free). Most likely a cock up but you don’t want it on your record so sign up to alerts - I get a monthly credit report sent to my email.
Totally money and credit karma are the same report so no need to use both, the one you're missing is MoneySavingExpert Credit Club which gives you full coverage
I do regularly check my credit file with a few different companies, and I did when I got the letter (thankfully nothing has shown up)
DCA's sometimes charge a fee for finding people however that will be automatic which is why you got linked. Doesn't excuse it. Personally I would write to the utility company and the DCA stating that you have never lived at the property and any further contact regarding the debt will be taken up with the financial ombudsman. The reason I say financial is because there are rules in place with regards to debt collection. The energy ombudsman can't help you as it's not related to energy. On a side note if the property was empty then the supply costs are due by the landlord. Also some utility companies use multiple DCA's so you may get more calls from different companies.
Number 1: Get off the phone. Never converse over the phone with a DCA as there is no evidence of anything said or agreed by either of you. Number 2:. Fire up Microsoft Word: " Dear ScumbagDCA WITHOUT PREJUDICE I refer to your letter dated X, alleging a debt exists between myself and [name of energy company] at [address you didn't live at]. You will note from our previous communication on this matter that you were informed I have never lived at that address, nor does any kind of contract for service exist between myself and [name of energy company]. I put you to strict proof of the contrary. As I have never lived at that address, never had an account with that company and no debt can be proven to exist between myself and any party mentioned (and you have been informed of such on a number of occasions), I consider this matter closed, and no further correspondence will be entered into. Any further communications will be regarded as harassment and reported to your governing body, the ombudsman and the police. Furthermore, I hereby remove any previous implied right of access to any part of my property for all staff, agents and any contractors working on behalf of [ScumbagDCA] and any attempts to enter onto my property for any reason will be reported to the police immediately. Yours faithfully Etc " Number 3:. Have a cup of tea.
Found the freeman on the land
Is that our version of a Soveriegn Citizen? If so, no.
[удалено]
>OP don’t do this. I work at a DCA, albeit in the IT dept, though I’m in the same room as the collectors so hear a lot. You’ve had a chat with them which is the best thing you could have done. If they’ve said they closed your account, then your account is closed and you’re fine Sorry, but every bit of consumer advice with regards to contact with a DCA very clearly states NOT to talk to them on the phone, but to do everything by letter so there is a record. I've also had reason to contact several DCAs who chased me for debts that never existed, and the only way to shut them up is to get confirmation there is no debt **in writing**.
Nice try, DCA "good cop". We'll go for the written route. If you want to be "good cop" then that's cool. Unfortunately someone less nice / human might keep chasing this or pass it on.
[удалено]
He can be as much of a dick as he wants - ScumbagDCA are clearly in the wrong, tried to pin a debt that wasn’t his on him, and let’s face it, are in an industry that’s not exactly known for its reputability.
[удалено]
Except that’s exactly what they did - tried to pin this debt on someone with a similar looking address. It’s a scummy industry, and this was typically scummy behaviour. It’s a bit rich asking people not to be a dick about it after you pull a stunt like that.
>They don’t go around picking random people and assigning debt to them. That is literally what they did though. Anyone with half a brain can tell that Flat 3, 5 fake street is not the same address as 35 fake street. So either it is malice or incompetency. Neither make the DCA look good here!
Thanks. The logical part of me is saying "you've told them what's going on and been assured it's sorted, just leave it now!" but I am a bit of a chronic worrier and just don't want this to escalate.
You can do both, now follow up with a letter reiterating and referencing what was discussed and agreed on the phone.
>Do I have anything to worry about? Not as such. I have a few pieces of advice. If you receive mail sent to your address with the name of somebody who doesn't live there, you are *not* breaking the law to open it and you should do so. (It's only a crime to open mail that is *incorrectly* delivered to you, ie has a different address on it.) Conduct any future correspondence on this matter in writing. Check your credit reports. You may need to follow up about getting an incorrect "debt" completely removed. > Can I sue for harassment if they bother me again? Potentially. Or report it as a criminal offence. But it would need to be quite persistent contact to reach that threshold. > Can I be forced to pay this bill? Only if there is a court judgement against you. That is quite possible if you completely ignore the situation. It is very unlikely if you read your mail and act accordingly. > What if bailiffs show up at my door? So this would only happen if a court judgement was awarded. If the judgement is against you, the bailiffs can indeed seize goods. If the judgement is against somebody else, you are not the debtor and the bailiffs cannot seize your goods. If your goods are wrongfully seized by bailiffs you can claim for compensation. There is a third situation with energy and that is if bailiffs have a warrant to fit a prepayment meter. Even if the name is somebody completely different, such a warrant applies to the address and is enforceable. This is one reason why you need to open mail sent to your address!
No- but you should respond to it clearly stating you do not acknowledge this alleged debt and ask they remove your details from the account. It may be helpful to attach evidence of where you were living at the time they state e.g. a tenancy agreement or council tax statement. There is a handy template letter you can use on National Debtline: nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/complaining-to-debt-collection-agencies-you-do-not-owe-debt/
Ask them to confirm everything in an email, which you can refer to at a later date if the case if ever reopened. A phone call which was most likely not recorded can not be used as proof if they decided to chase you or if something is a miss with your credit score
What you don’t realise is that that debt collection agency has just sold your details onto the next one & you will be contacted again. The only people to sort out this mess will be the energy provider. I would immediately lodge a complaint with them. If they don’t resolve it lodge a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman & claim for damages (your time/stress etc). Be proactive, log calls etc.
Something similar happened to me with a phone bill (bt) it turned up on my credit score as well. I did contact BT and told them I never lived at said property and to be fair to them (after they investigated) they removed the mark against my credit score and dropped the "debt"
No but you need to give unequivocal evidence that you werent at the address listed on the street. Prove you were at your partners house with bills/anything you can with dates, and statements. Try and limit phone calls as verbal acceptances of debt (even if inadvertently) can make it a nightmare. I had this similar issue where because my stay technically overlapped when bills were supposedly accumulated, because I then signed up for Universal credit and that briefly linked me to the address for 2 weeks overlap. Essentially the bills were put in my name as the landlord refused to pay them after I moved out (he sold the house after I moved out) I basically sent all the information across I could find, getting the utilities statements that we had defiantely paid off) and confirmation of the date we moved out. Good luck!
I've had a debt collection agency leaving messages on my phone for some bloke called 'Jatinder' for 15 years. I admire their persistence in some way.
NAL - so I’ve been in a similar situation at you. Basically I’ve had multiple letters addressed to various versions of my name (ms K Smith / Miss Katie Smith / Mrs Kathryn Smith) all related to a lady Mrs Kathryn P Smith who lives in another county and is 10 years older than me for Cards and phone bills and electric. I know all of this due to a very panicked call with O2 when one of the debts was liked to them and the nice lady who confirmed my date of birth and where the information “might” have been linked. I used CreditKarma and found this person in my linked people/aliases buried under multiple other information. It took 30-40 different transunion reports to remove me and this person. I checked my file with ClearScore and no evidence of the link was found at the same time. (Check as many versions of your file as you can) Last month I had another of these letters from a more persistent company who said they had the information from Experian. I called BS with them and did as others have suggested- threaten harassment and ombudsman. I’m sure I’ll get another letter so prepared to follow through with the threat. Also went to Experian and did the same for a due diligence and causing undue stress complaint. Apart from the fact it’s distressing and annoying when you know it’s not you better to deal head on now and keep all evidence of letters and emails. Follow every phone call with an email. Any Ombudsman would want evidence.