So what do you know about how dca's trace ?? I could actually tell you in great detail about how dca's trace and the methods they use to generate response , such as this letter. The different types of link such as name , date of birth and financial links, which alternative sources they use to help link data . You will find the term soft in the CSA Trace Code of Conduct to describe such letters. If my suggestion here is drivel then it shows how little you understand on how dca's trace and the best ways to avoid . I will leave it there and refrain from sharing my drivel in future .

Katypie I would definitely react to the letter that has been sent. In my experience debt buyers are very good at reporting bum data back to the credit bureau and before you know it there is a link established between you and the person who has not paid the debt. The type of link that they have used is what is known as a name link. They really should not be doing this without any supporting information that you are the person who resided at the previous address. An example of this might have been that they had researched at your previous address and been given the new address. The fact that they have sent you what is known as a "soft" letter is a definite sign they are just fishing. T he danger is that your data is falsely updated at the credit bureau.

Absolutely, I was meaning to draft a response to the return mail address. Sorry for any confusion caused. By doing this it means that the company can get into problems for sending any more mail.

My advice would be do not fill out any sort of income and expenditure. Have you made all the agreed payments to Sainsbury's on time ?? If so you have a valid arrangement. What Sainsburys have done is sold this low paying debt to Arrow. Arrow buy this type of stuff in the belief that they can achieve more from it by sending such things as legal letters. I would stress the fact that you have stuck to the arrangement that you made with Sainsburys. All banks have to adhere to Treating Customers Fairly. I would write to the head of Sainsbury's Bank outlining that you have paid what has been agreed and have still been sold as a debt, I would explain that you cannot understand why , as you stuck to the agreement you had with them. You might be surprised by the response. Good luck.

Guysa What Lowell will be doing is fishing for information. They will either of had this address at some time, or are picking it up as a previous information at somewhere like Experian. T he kind of sources that these people use are electoral role, previous addresses, BT telephone directory etc. There are also databases they use showing who has lived at an address since the early 90's so they could have used one of those. I would phone Experian and check to see if your sister is at this address. Regarding information to Lowell, I would reply with an address. I would randomly pick one somewhere and say that as far as you are aware this is where she is living. The idiots will probably supply this back to Experian etc and your sister will be left in peace.

Hi Pippafan Wescot might own this debt, but if so , the balance now would be £7k less than when they had bought it. I guess what has happened is that they have not put the payments on the account , not unsual with DCAs. These funds become known as unallocated funds and get taken as profit. Wescot have now sold all the debt that they have bought, I think, to Arrow Global, so are probably being evasive. I doubt the debt is still with Lloyds as they would have sent it to another DCA if there had been no payments.

Hi This will be a typical DCA mess. I would do the following write to the Head of Compliance at Wescot , just googled it is a Mrs Charlotte Allen, I would say that you paid this amount in the belief it is a full and final settlement. State that you would like confirmation of this fact given your illness. They should do this. State that if they do not acknowledge this, you will go to the following bodies to complain : Lending Standards Board and the Financial Services Authority. Also I would add the Office of Fair Trading. Arrow accounts are always a mess in my opinion. Thanks