Irwin Mitchell/ Intrum Justitia

[crinanjon]

Saw this question and reply on another forum. Is it accurate?

[crinanjon]

Can anyone help. I have received 5 letters from Irwin Mitchell/Intrum Justitia who saying that I have a debt with paypal. All the letters are addresses to variations of my name and address but are close enough for the postman to deliver them to me. I have never had any dealing with paypal. The amount is different on all 5 letters and varies from £87 to £502. There is a phone number to call to discuss it. Should I write or call to query this?

[crinanjon]

Intrum Justitia are [problematic] and letters like this are becoming more and more common. DO NOT on any account pay them money.

All legitimate collection agencies have access to the Credit Reference files which means that they will always have correct details of your name and address. The fact that Intrum Justitia use inaccurate variations of peoples names and addresses should ring alarm bells, but unfortunately many people do pay them. Also DO NOT phone them. Their number is a premium rate number and costs upto £3:50 per minute so people do not realise they been scammed until they get their next phone bill. Ignore their letters.

[crinanjon]

Is this an accurate reply?

[Enron]

Yes.

 

I would also say that if you do not owe the debt they are on a bit of a fishing expedition.

 

Would be tempted to contact the Office Of Fair Trading in writing and complain that they are attempting to collect a debt which is not yours.... the more complaints the OFT get the more likely they are to look into the dubious practices of this company.

 

The Office of Fair Trading: Contact us

[spamheed]

The simple fact is: If you have no knowledge of the debt and have never had a financial relationship with either the people making claims against you, or the people they purport to represent, then treat it as you would a stranger demanding monies at you door.

 

As deeply suspect.

 

As the names are not yours, neither is the debt, as mentioned above, these people according to the OFT guidelines should have 100% certainty of a persons liability prior to making any approach to the person.

 

It is quite normal (and illegal) for these people to send a letter to everyone with a close match to their target, ie similar surname and initials, they don't care who pays the debt and a lot of people through inherrent fear of debt collectors and solicitors letters pay up even though the debt is not theirs.

 

Certainly don't telephone them and don't allow them to speak to you on the phone, these people's stock and trade is to lie, deceive and intimidate people on the phone, so by refusing to speak to them on the phone you are effectively removing their only weapon. should they call you simply state "I never discuss private matters over the phone - put it in writing please" (or any preferred alternative) then hang up.

 

I would suggest you ignore the letters, until you receive something IN YOUR NAME and with your correct address, retain all of the letters that you have received and should they eventually pick up your details contact Trading Standards with all communications, as proof of their phishing exercise