Inside a DCA!

[Goldlady]

Also be aware that it is not unknown for a DCA to be looking for YOU but change the details of the 'debtor' in order to get you to confirm who you really are. Then 2 months after calling and telling them your not Miss X but Mrs Y they start chasing you for a statute barred debt because they were really looking for Mrs Y.

 

Ooh that's a cunning plan.

 

I opened a brown envelope with red handwriting on the front addressed to the previous owners of my house. Lucky that I did as it was from the bailiffs saying they were coming in 7 days to repossess the house:eek:. Luckily the defaulted loan had been repaid when the house was sold but someone forgot to tell the court!!

[JonCris]

A letter was recently sent to my address to someone unknown but with with the same surname, a different title and initials. Of course I didn't open it as it was addressed to someone else, but as it went in the trash the envelope tore. It was a DCA letter chasing an outstanding debt from Southern Water.

 

Dear Miss ???

Having confirmed your current address our client is anxious to resolve the outstanding debt.

You must call us immediately to arrange repayment of your outstanding debt.

If you are not the person named above, please accept our apologies and call us on 0845 40 224 30 to confirm this. If you do not call to tell us we will assume that you are the correct person.

Should we not hear from you within 7 days of the date of this letter, we may commence legal action to recover the outstanding debt.

Yours sincerely,

Advantis Credit Ltd

 

Now, first of all, any letters not addressed to a known person at my address would be binned. However, this company expects a stranger to open someone else's post and phone them to say that they are not the addressee. Is this some kind of breach of confidentiality or malpractice?

 

Also, this evening had a weird call. It may have been a voice activated message as they did not ask who they were talking to. The line was fuzzy, I said hello, hello, then a voice said, "Hello, this is an important call from Advantis Credit. Please phone on 0845." I put down phone in mid sentence as the woman did not ask for me by name. Is this another breach of customer confidentiality? I do not know this company, have no debts, and have been getting loads of marketing calls recently and am pretty fed up with unsolicited calls.

 

Could anyone tell me if it is safe to ignore. Pretty weird on their letter that they say, "Having confirmed your current address, our client is anxious to resolve the outstanding debt." I've never had letters or correspondence from any of these people before and have been at this address for several years.

 

Help!!!

 

The inaudible message in which only the number can be heard is the oldest gag in the book for these DCA's

 

Believe it or not but they actually have a device fitted to their phones which produces what sounds like static until that is they quote their number which you will hear loud & clear. You call back & they think they have the person they are looking for.

 

My advice is get BT's Call Minder This allows you to stop up to 10 numbers of your choice from getting through to you........& whatever you do, 'gone away' or not DON'T return their letters.........bin em

[The GodMother]

This is a shot in the dark from a DCA. Just send ALL letters back addressed to this person and write 'not know at address' (that's if there is a return address , if not bin them), worse case they will send an agent to confirm you are not the debtor. to be honest, I have done such visits as part of my 'training' and they last about 5 mins: they just confirm your name and ask for one proof of identity. If you provide it they wipe their records of your details and send it back. Problem gone. I have spent nearly 3 years sending the previous tenants mail back to the sender. One day l got a letter that was open when it came threw the post box now the letter had obviously come out of the envelope as it had been put back in the wrong way round, how the postie new it was for here without looking in it l dont know, So not to be nosey but to find out who it was adressed to i read the letter and it was 1st credit for the previous tenant.

I emailed them demanding they stop sending mail for the previous tenant and if they did not i would make a complaint to the police and sue the company.

well exactly 4 days later i recieved another letter posted threw hte door open and the wrong way round.

So l called the head office and demanded they do something about it. they were not open as it was saturday so l left a message.

Monday l recieved a telephone call asking what the problem was. So i explained needless to say the guy on the end of the phone was very defensive and said we are trying to chase Mr XXX of the date of birth XXX who is the registered owner of this address.

I started quoting the DPA and informed him that Mr XX had moved out the previous 11 years b4 and that he was last seen in Norwich.

I also asked why they had continued to send the letters to my address as i had been telling them for nearly 3 years the guy had moved out. He then said we dont accept that ppl have moved out by the returning of mail and emails as it is a way of avoid debt.

He then agreed to stop sending letters for this person as he had done a search on the electrol roll and could see he did not live here.

3 days later we recieved a letter for the previous tenents wifes boyfrind and when and made a telephone compalint about this needless to say this one is sorted sooner rather than later.

 

It is true that you are not allowed to open mail addressed to someone else, but hay, we all want to know what's going on. But you should just return it unopened (but I wouldn't make a special trip to the letter box ;-) ).

 

Also be aware that it is not unknown for a DCA to be looking for YOU but change the details of the 'debtor' in order to get you to confirm who you really are. Then 2 months after calling and telling them your not Miss X but Mrs Y they start chasing you for a statute barred debt because they were really looking for Mrs Y.

 

 

Why is it that this company did not get the message for so long?

[dannyboy660]

I know they say ignoring a dca, burying your head in the sand etc is not a stagedy that works , but people with statute barred debts today never had sites like this to go and visit, who knew anything about the statute of limitations then (mid 90's), other than the legal profession.

 

I don't know if it's a good method to use today or not, but that is what I did in the 90's. I tried to pay these people but the letters and calls were incessant, at work at home. One day I just stopped dealing with them , binned the letters, told them to f off on the phone and assumed the position of what would be the ideal stance for somebody attempting to get a debt statute barred , except in those days I didn't know it . So that did work, at least for me.

 

"About 5% of accounts in the UK are

suitable for litigation. The point is to go

after can-pay or can-pay-more accounts,

says Locke, referring to debtors who

refuse to pay or who won’t pay an

appropriate amount relative to their

financial wherewithal."

 

 

http://www.credit-manager.co.uk/other/CCR%20May07%20UKDebtCrisis.pdf

[JonCris]

In the case of mistaken identity my advice for what it's worth is

 

1/don't speak to them.......ever

2/don't write to them........ever

3/don't give them any information........whatsoever......not even the time of day

 

If they can't take the time to check the electoral roll then that's their problem & if they persist complain to the appropriate authorities

 

But whatever you do don't make contact

[slc79]

In the case of mistaken identity my advice for what it's worth is

 

1/don't speak to them.......ever

2/don't write to them........ever

3/don't give them any information........whatsoever......not even the time of day

 

If they can't take the time to check the electoral roll then that's their problem & if they persist complain to the appropriate authorities

 

But whatever you do don't make contact

Good advice, thanks.

[cashins]

A strategies that don’t work ie running away ect… would be good but also a section on " how to make the DCA see sense would be good to"

 

That I could use!!

 

As previously stated, short of winning the lottery the chances of clearing my debts in this lifetime are pretty slim. Obviously I don't really expect them to believe everyone that tells them that!

 

It really is just so frustrating to think you have arranged a deal everyone can live with, only for them to come back for another go. If they accepted in the first instance, why do they turn round in a couple of months time and tell you that you must pay more or else.

 

The really ridiculous part is if you lose it and just tell them to f*** off, it's rather like John Cleese in 'The life of Brian'

 

When being pursued across the desert by a mob, he says,

 

"why don't you all just f*** off"

 

and a voice pops up,

 

"But how shall we f*** off Lord".

 

David

 

[Seahorse]

I have done such visits as part of my 'training' and they last about 5 mins: they just confirm your name and ask for one proof of identity. If you provide it they wipe their records of your details and send it back. Problem gone.

 

If someone turned up on my doorstep and demanded proof that I wasn't the person they thought I was, they'd get the door shut in their face.

 

Problem gone.

[JonCris]

Quite!

 

How dare they turn up at my front door & demand I tell them who I am....Like you seahorse I would give very short shrift & order them off my property & they certainly would have to walk away..........none the wiser

 

OTB makes a very valuable contribution to this forum but isn't just a little disconcerting that even good guy like him thinks it's perfectly permissible to just turn up to someones door & demand their identity:eek:

[Michael Browne]

Quite!

 

How dare they turn up at my front door & demand I tell them who I am....

 

OTB makes a very valuable contribution to this forum but isn't just a little disconcerting that even good guy like him thinks it's perfectly permissible to just turn up to someones door & demand their identity

 

Slightly harsh interpretation of what OTB actually posted, which was merely to ask, as opposed to aggressively demand, although either way it's entirely your choice as to whether you co-operate or not.

[JonCris]

Ask, demand what's the difference..............it's still a complete stranger turning up at my front door, at a time of their choosing & asking me who I am

 

The fact that anyone thinks that's acceptable behaviour I find astonishing. Just because someone may owe money doesn't mean they should be treat as if they have fewer rights than anyone else which is what you would be doing by acting towards them this way

 

Tell you what walk along any street, of your choosing, pick a house, any house knock on the door & when the occupant answers ask them, as politely as you wish, to identify themselves.

 

I suspect that after the occupants initial shock the visitor will be given very short shrift & either the police will be called or have the dogs set on them

[The GodMother]

I have told the local johova witness to go away and the ppl canvessing for the elections. Both tried to get smart with me and both got a good advertisement of CAG.

[Seahorse]

Someone could be as polite as they like, the fact remains that, if they want proof that the person they have targeted is the person they are after, there are other ways to find out. It is NOT up to the "suspect" to prove their own identity. Some people might be more than happy to say, Yeah OK mate. Hang on and I'll get my passport. Personally, I'd rather they DIDN'T come knocking in the first place. I know they are only trying to earn a living. But so are the eejits who phone me up to ask if I'd like to buy a new bathroom despite the fact I've signed up to stop cold callers pestering me. And they get a less than polite response in return too.

 

Hey, they know the risks. If they can't take a joke, they shouldn't have joined.

[onthebrink]

Quite!

 

How dare they turn up at my front door & demand I tell them who I am....Like you seahorse I would give very short shrift & order them off my property & they certainly would have to walk away..........none the wiser

 

OTB makes a very valuable contribution to this forum but isn't just a little disconcerting that even good guy like him thinks it's perfectly permissible to just turn up to someones door & demand their identity:eek:

 

I would NEVER demand anything off anyone. We live in a free world and we all make our own choices. When I did my home visit work I saw it as give and take, and would give all the information I had (name, previous address of debtor, debt amount outstanding and the OC), and then asked to confirm they were not the person I was looking for - 95% of the people not only gave me the confirmation required but would often furnish additional information including forwarding address or estate agents details.

 

Some of you may argue 'what about my rights under the data protection act, which doesn't allow you to share my information with a stranger', but, I'm sorry - if the debtor has done a runner then so be it, they left their 'privacy' at the front door when they left, and so I'm happy to share what I know FIRST before requesting information.

 

If someone knocked on my door and said 'I'm looking for Mr X who are you, I wouldn't be polite either to be honest.

[matsinlondon]

I appreciate your perspective OTB but the law remains the law and if DCA's start riding roughshod over it by disclosing personal data to strangers then they deserve everything they get too. Even if someone does a runner the DCA needs to respect the law otherwise what's the point of the law. A friend asked for advise on giving forwarding addresses when she moved and my advice was simple. Tell those you accept money to you have moved, set up royal mail redirection and make your mind up as to whether to tell the rest as and when they fulfill their legal obligations re. CCAs etc. They'll find out your new address anyway but it's not your job to tell them.

[Seahorse]

If the debt collection industry get their way, it'll be a criminal offence to change addresses and not tell your creditors.

 

Another question to ask when the elections come around, and we get MORE unwelcome callers at the door trying to drum up support.

[JonCris]

I would NEVER demand anything off anyone. We live in a free world and we all make our own choices. When I did my home visit work I saw it as give and take, and would give all the information I had (name, previous address of debtor, debt amount outstanding and the OC), and then asked to confirm they were not the person I was looking for - 95% of the people not only gave me the confirmation required but would often furnish additional information including forwarding address or estate agents details.

 

Some of you may argue 'what about my rights under the data protection act, which doesn't allow you to share my information with a stranger', but, I'm sorry - if the debtor has done a runner then so be it, they left their 'privacy' at the front door when they left, and so I'm happy to share what I know FIRST before requesting information.

 

If someone knocked on my door and said 'I'm looking for Mr X who are you, I wouldn't be polite either to be honest.

 

I'm sorry OTB but what makes you think that a debtor moving on, for whatever reason, entitles you or anyone else to claim that by doing so they have forfeited any of their rights

 

I'm astonished that you also think it's lawful for you to discuss the private matters of another person with someone even before you know their true identity. You could be disclosing personal information to a complete stranger who has no connection with the alleged debtor.

 

If you did or do such a thing then you break the law pure & simple & frankly I'm amazed you aren't already aware of this

 

OTB as I have said you make a very valuable contribution to this forum. In fact it's greater than you think because your responses particularly about the 'rights' of consumers is much more enlightening than you think.

 

It speaks volumes as to the attitude of those charged with protecting debtors rights when the DCA's think they can have total disregard for the law - or worse still DCA's that don't even understand the law they are meant to work under because no one has bothered to educate them

 

Incidentally if an estate agent gives you a forwarding address of someone you trying to find let me know will you

[andrew1]

I appreciate your perspective OTB but the law remains the law and if DCA's start riding roughshod over it by disclosing personal data to strangers then they deserve everything they get too. Even if someone does a runner the DCA needs to respect the law otherwise what's the point of the law. A friend asked for advise on giving forwarding addresses when she moved and my advice was simple. Tell those you accept money to you have moved, set up royal mail redirection and make your mind up as to whether to tell the rest as and when they fulfill their legal obligations re. CCAs etc. They'll find out your new address anyway but it's not your job to tell them.

 

Just let you into a little secret: Royal Mail SELL your redirection information to these creeps. Someone tried to 'ID theft' me put a redirection order on my property. On my Credit file pops up this new address in Surrey as an 'associated address' How? I lost my Nectar card ( Sainsburys points card not a credit card) and applied for a new one they asked me if I wanted it sent to new address in Surrey "Where did you get that from" I asked. - " Royal Mail!!!," we are informed when these Redirections are applied for ' to save customers the trouble of having to inform everyone!!!! Oh YEAH???

 

 

Nothing, absolutely NOTHING is secret...

 

 

Sarah.

[JonCris]

I think you will find that when a redirection request is made that person is asked if they want all future correspondents to be told of the new address & of course they do as it helps stop anything inadvertently arriving at your true address

 

It's an ID thief's charter

[Newborn]

Re andrew1 at post 570.

When you redirect mail there is a little box for you to tick if you don't want them to automatically tell the sender. I did this and haven't had any problems.

 

Newborn

[andrew1]

Re andrew1 at post 570.

When you redirect mail there is a little box for you to tick if you don't want them to automatically tell the sender. I did this and haven't had any problems.

 

Newborn

 

'The sender?' I think what you find is that like any mailing list, your details are sold on to all and sundry. They might not tell the sender, but that's not to say these tracing agents and dca's don't BUY the list. I guess one could check that out with Royal Mail if you can find the people who deal with it, but that was my understanding. Just like Registry Trust, the outfit 'not for profit' organisation which records all CCJ's from the courts across the country. They SELL all those details on to Sub-Prime Loan companies for Vast amounts ( and I mean VAST) amounts of money who then target those in financial difficulty.

 

Nothing's sacred anymore.

[vinegarvera]

Thank you to all those that have sent PMs. I appreciate the comments.

 

If you asked a specific question I will answer here on this thread - I mean, if you need to know the answer I'm sure someone else does too!

 

Please understand (as Andrew1 has said on the other thread - Thanks Andy) I will explain how the 'cogs turn' at a DCA, and why DCAs do the things they do, I am happy to answer specific question in a unbiased independent way.

 

What I will not do however, is undertake in a debate on the moral issues surrounding DCAs, and I'm sorry but I just won't explain why 'those little runts keep hounding me'. If your angry and upset because a DCA is not 'acting reasonable' then tell me what you are hoping to get from them and I'll tell you how its possible, or why it is not.

 

 

Thought you were not going to get into a debate on morale issues?

The fact that you admitted thinking that anyone who changes adress without informing a creditor has no rights within the data protection act suggests otherwise!

 

After lunch (I need to earn a crust too you know ) I will answer the question most have asked :

 

'why do DCA staff know so little about 'the law' and CCAs'

 

 

Hmmm and here was i starting to think OP was a good guy!!

[JonCris]

Me too:cry:

[shieldblaster]

I'm sorry OTB but what makes you think that a debtor moving on, for whatever reason, entitles you or anyone else to claim that by doing so they have forfeited any of their rights

 

I'm astonished that you also think it's lawful for you to discuss the private matters of another person with someone even before you know their true identity. You could be disclosing personal information to a complete stranger who has no connection with the alleged debtor.

 

If you did or do such a thing then you break the law pure & simple & frankly I'm amazed you aren't already aware of this

 

OTB as I have said you make a very valuable contribution to this forum. In fact it's greater than you think because your responses particularly about the 'rights' of consumers is much more enlightening than you think.

 

It speaks volumes as to the attitude of those charged with protecting debtors rights when the DCA's think they can have total disregard for the law - or worse still DCA's that don't even understand the law they are meant to work under because no one has bothered to educate them

 

Incidentally if an estate agent gives you a forwarding address of someone you trying to find let me know will you

 

I entirely agree. To share someone's data with a stranger simply because the alleged debtor has decided to move house is not a justification to break the law. This is yet more evidence how DCA's step outside the law when it suits them and yet use that same law when it suits them as well.

[andrew1]

OTB - One of those medals back please! :D