Wescot phoning neighbours

[wilko1]

Wescot have been phoning numerous neighbours numerous times checking that I live here, I have for over 20 years. One neighbour confirmed I live here not content with that Wescot then phoned another neighbour 30 mins later. Then they phoned me and promptly hung up when I asked why had they been phoning neighbours.

 

What can I do about it, all suggestions welcome.

 

Thanks

[brokebutnotbeatn]

Formal complaint

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Complaint to OFT this kind of contact

is just not allowed.

A formal complaint to the Compliance

Manager mentioning OFT.

Please do not phone any DCA they will attempt

to hassle and intimidate, if they phone you

do not answer any ''security'' questions and tell

to contact in writting only.

[42man]

http://oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2009/58-09

[DonkeyB]

Did they in any way let on to your neighbours what this was about or who they were? Did the neighbours do a 1471?

 

How can you prove it was them calling your neighbours? You’ll need to be able to prove that for your complaint to stand up, I’m afraid.

[unclebulgaria67]

Mucky Hall used to do this. I had them writing to my address regarding a relative who had never lived here. I kept telling them of this and they obviously did not believe me. They phoned one of my neighbours ( who I don't know as they live about 20 houses away) asking whether they knew who lived at the address. The neighbour did not recall the name of the company, but was concerned enough to mention it to me. They thought it was a bit suspicious and had even thought about reporting the call to the Police. i.e they thought it might be thieves looking for burglary targets.

[dx100uk]

and wetcloths!!

 

dx

[theghost]

I've clashed with various people here about this - but I'll say it anyway.

 

There is nothing illegal about them phoning your neighbours. They are just retricted by the OFT and ICO in what they can say - i.e revealing sensitive info or aksing messages to be passed on.

 

If they have established that you live somewhere then maybe the contact is excessive. Have you been giving any DCAs the run around? If so they might be wanting to be sure before they contact you.

[DonkeyB]

I agree. That’s why I asked the questions – did they give away who they were? However, I also believe this amount of ‘tracing’ when they know where the person lives is excessive and oppressive – deliberately so, and should be punished. It is being used as a debt collection tool, and is as bad as using a statutory demand as a debt collection tool.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I've clashed with various people here about this - but I'll say it anyway.

 

There is nothing illegal about them phoning your neighbours. They are just retricted by the OFT and ICO in what they can say - i.e revealing sensitive info or aksing messages to be passed on.

 

If they have established that you live somewhere then maybe the contact is excessive. Have you been giving any DCAs the run around? If so they might be wanting to be sure before they contact you.

 

If anyone asks for information about another

individual without stating EXACTLY who they

are the imo they are using deception to gain

an advantage.

[Ell-enn]

Try sending them this letter (amend to suit your situation if necessary) make sure you send it recorded delivery and keep a copy.

Westcot letter.doc

[ScarletPimpernel]

I've clashed with various people here about this - but I'll say it anyway.

 

There is nothing illegal about them phoning your neighbours. They are just retricted by the OFT and ICO in what they can say - i.e revealing sensitive info or aksing messages to be passed on.

 

If they have established that you live somewhere then maybe the contact is excessive. Have you been giving any DCAs the run around? If so they might be wanting to be sure before they contact you.

 

 

 

The OFT have been very clear that calling neighbours is an unacceptable practice, and indeed have imposed sanctions on some DCAs.

 

It is a contravention of the terms and conditions of a DCA's consumer credit licence, and as such could be seen as unlawful under CPUTR - failure to adhere to a code of practice.

[theghost]

No they haven't... SPECIFIC things are unnacceptable practices. But not the practice in general.

 

Show us the law where telephone tracing is banned - I think you will find if you contact the OFT they will tell you its a legitimate practice and they have no power to stop it (unless they change their Debt Collection Guidance).

[wilko1]

Westcot have phoned at least 2 neighbours, more than once. Today they phoned one who said I did live there and 30 mins later phoned the other neighbour. They didn't state their business but did say that I hadn't been responding to their letters (not true), one neighbour gave me their number after 1471 ing it. Both neighbours are willing to be part of a complaint.

[Ell-enn]

Send them the letter in my previous post, by recorded delivery

[ScarletPimpernel]

I think you'll have to to agree to disagree with everyone else, Ghost. You have expressed your opinion, and others have expressed theirs; it is for the OP to decide which to take on board.

 

You are now in danger of pulling another thread off topic in your quest to prove your point - this is likely to attract moderation if it continues.

 

Incidentally, the OFT said:

 

Requirements imposed on debt collection company

 

58/09 15 May 2009

 

The OFT is warning the debt collection and tracing sector that using neighbours to pass on messages to trace subjects is an unacceptable practice and should be ceased immediately.

 

It is concerned that some businesses are breaching the spirit of the OFT debt collection guidance by using this trace method, which has the potential to reveal to neighbours that individuals are being pursued for payment of debts.

[dx100uk]

don't i seem to remember wetcloths got hauled over the coals on this some time back?

 

dx

[the_shadow]

Westcot have phoned at least 2 neighbours, more than once. Today they phoned one who said I did live there and 30 mins later phoned the other neighbour. They didn't state their business but did say that I hadn't been responding to their letters (not true), one neighbour gave me their number after 1471 ing it. Both neighbours are willing to be part of a complaint.

 

IMHO That admission that you have not been responding to their letters should be more than enough for a complaint. They obviously know you live there and have been happily sending letters and have already confirmed in previous calls that you do live there.

 

S.

[theghost]

I think you'll have to to agree to disagree with everyone else, Ghost. You have expressed your opinion, and others have expressed theirs; it is for the OP to decide which to take on board.

 

You are now in danger of pulling another thread off topic in your quest to prove your point - this is likely to attract moderation if it continues.

 

Incidentally, the OFT said:

 

Well clearly you don't want to allow me to respond, so I won't.

[wilko1]

Letter of complaint sent, and awaiting response.Thanks all.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Well clearly you don't want to allow me to respond, so I won't.

 

I am happy for you to respond - indeed I and doubtless others would be very interested to see where the OFT have said that phoning neighbours is a legitimate activity, having plainly said that it is not, and imposed requirements on a DCA (Link in the case above), for doing it. However, this thread is not the place. If you want to start a discussion on the rights and wrongs of any collection practice, or the OFT's attitude to same, please start a thread of your own. People will often have different opinions, and those seeking advice must decide which they prefer, but it is not generally helpful to start a debate on the issue on their thread.

[cerberusalert]

With regards to Wescot phoning multiple neighbours it maybe, i'm not saying for definite that it is, with regards to multiple accounts.

 

Just say Mr Smith owes Green Bank Ltd money, Blue Bank Ltd Money and Kneecap Finance money then if a tracing agent verifies that Mr Smth resides at the property in question for his Green Bank account he cannot then pass this information onto Blue Bank and Kneecap Finances as this is a flagrant breach of DPA. Silly yes i know but that is why neighbours could subsequently be phoned multiple times.

 

They will update his credit file with his new address & if he is a 'Gone Away' any interested DCA will be notified.

[wilko1]

It's definately for only one account.

 

Am I right in saying that having contacted neighbour X and been told that I still live where Wescot had me down for, then Wescot should have updated my credit file. That done they had no need to contact the same neighbour 5 weeks later, my address was confirmed again, and then another neighbour 30 mins after that.

[Fred Bassett]

Quite clearly this is just a ploy to embarrass you into ringing them. Whatever you do, don't fall for it. Make them waste their time and effort by having to put everything in writing.

[wilko1]

Wescot have answered my complaint.

 

They say, " in accordance with industry guidance, we are permitted to make speculative contact with 3rd parties in an effort to ascertain the whereabouts of individuals who have moved and failed to provide a forwarding address." (I've lived here for over 20 years).

 

They also say "We also make enquiries of individuals as we did in this case and your neighbours telephone number is publicly available". (The neighbours are ex-directory).

 

They don't say why the phoned more than one neighbour more than once.

 

Any ideas how I should proceed.

 

Thanks