cca telephone companies.

[doughboy1]

hi,

i'm new to this site and as my wife and i are separating i hope someone will be able to help me with lots of financial problems i'm going to have to sort out.
anyway i think i'll need to deal with each one at a time.
the first one is that i have received a letter from a debt collection agency representing a telephone company which we have never used asking for a considerable amount of money.
i was wondering if it is possible to request any sort of proof from them to show that the debt is mine.
i have also received other letters demanding money for things that i have no knowledge of including one for a sum of over £1500 which will not even tell me what the debt is from when i wrote asking.
could this be tghe result of identity fraud? if so how can i deal with it.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

[locutus]

Have a quick look at this government run advice site.
Identity Theft - What if it happens to you?

Your post sure does sound like Identity theft, I hope not, but once you know for sure you'll be able to get it sorted.

[PGH7447]

In all these cases if you do not recognise the debt send em a letter asking for proof of the debt nd for what it alledges to be, DO NOT Phone them ever

the onus is on the DCA to prove the debt actually exists and that you are the alledged debtor.

there is a letter somewhere on here that either I or someone quicker can post up for you

[PGH7447]

Here is letter that can be used


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 company Name*

I am 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.

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

Do not sign your name just print it and sent it recorded delivery

[doughboy1]

thanks for your quick replies Locutus and pgh7447, can someonetell me where i can find the template letter i need, i can't seem to find it.thanks once again.

[doughboy1]

thanks pgh7447, previous posted before your letter came up.

[locutus]

good luck

[fredbassett]

First thing I would do is get a copy of your credit file from Experian, Equifax or Callcredit. This way you can see what accounts are recorded on your credit file and if there are any accounts you do not recognise you can raise a Consumer Query/Data Dispute via Experian, Equifax or Callcredit. They will then contact the lender advising that you have a query/dispute and the lender in question then has 14 days in which to respond. If you have been a victim of impersonation fraud the credit reference agencies are a good point of contact in helping you get this resolved. One thing to do for the moment would be to add a Notice of Correction to your credit files that contains a password that must be quoted by yourself when you apply for credit. This will mean that lenders can automatically pass you for credit and lengthens the process slightly, however it is worth it for peace of mind.