Debt collectors calling - advice appreciated

[Diesel1]

Hello I have some questions for you all.

 

3/4 months ago some company called 'PDCS'started texting/calling me. I called them back, they wanted all my personalinformation. I said "no, why you are contacting this number". Theyquoted "data protection act". I told them they weren't getting anyinformation. Phone call ended they were nice enough. They called again we wentthrough the same conversation but this ended with "a letter is in thepost". The letter never arrived and I haven't heard from them since.

 

I have no idea what they were contacting me, Isuspect some form of debt? This prompted me to check my credit rating from 2 ofthe 3 UK agencies. Perfect rating on both, no adverse credit, details correct,history of everything being paid in full and on time. I also contacted the usual: BT, SKY andelectricity companies that I may or may not have used since 2008 and they allsaid everything was either paid in full or no account with us at the relevantaddresses.

 

I don't have a mortgage. I’ve been on the samemobile contract for 15 years never missed a payment. I have had 3 credit cards, 2 in use the 3rd paid in full/closed. Payment is made in full every month asstandard (I only have them to boost my rating).

 

From mid June 'SRJ' have tried tocontact me several times. So far 3 calls, 2 voicemails, 3 texts and 1 letter.Letter states:

"Dear Mr X,

We have made enquiries for confirmation ofyour current place of residence. Information has been received confirming thatyour address details have changed to this address.

Due to data protection legislation details ofthe account are not included in this letter.

Please call us immediately..."

 

I am certain I do not have any debts - I’venever taken a loan, I have no reason to not pay for bills I have.

I can think of only two things:

 

1) Jan '11 – June '11 Irented with a friend for 6 months. Everything paid,deposit returned as provided proof of payment. However, one of the previoustenants and some serious debt issues as they received several debt letters –which we passed to our estate agent. This was at the time of the UK census soobviously I was registered at the address.

 

Could SRJ be chasing me about someone else’sdebt because we were at the same address but completely unconnected?

 

2) Sept 2004 – July 2006 rented with 4 othersin a student house. I had electricity bill in my name along with a housematewho also had gas, water & SKY (in his name only). All 4 of us gave him themoney which it turns out he did not pay. We found out when we tried to get our deposits back. I contacted the letting agent asked for the all ofthe tenant’s deposit to pay the bills to which they agreed. I paid the one inmy name (but not the gas) and gave everyone their share of the money. Both elec& gas were with the BG. When I paid the elec I checked the gaswas in his name only they confirmed and I provided a forwarding address forhim. Never heard from them again (they had my forwarding address forconfirmation of elec final bill). This took months for me to sortout, the elec was paid before mid Jan 07.

 

I know 100% that the gas bill has still notbeen paid. The rest I don't have a clue if there was an outstanding bill or ifit has been paid or whether they were tranferred to his new address...

 

Could they be chasing me about this bill?Surely this cannot be transferred to me, I am not on the contract? As far as Iam aware none of my former housemates have had someone call them ever.

 

I refuse to call them back as I do not knowwhy they are contacting me, it just says to call them. I don’t want them takingit as debt acknowledgment. I doubt it is mistaken identity as I have a veryuncommon name and the address the letter is to is my parents house.

 

Any advice? Thoughts?

[Bazooka Boo]

Ignore everything, they are looking for a cash cow and if you respond at this stage they will fleece you.

 

Well if their is nothing on your credit files then that is a very good start and a clear indication that they have failed yet again, to correctly trace the person they are looking for.

 

Keep a diary of events, if they ring laugh and hang up, or say "Everything in writing" then laugh and hang up.

 

DO NOT call them EVER!

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi welcome to CAG,

 

The fact that there is no adverse data on the CRA files

indicates that the account was defaulted 6 or more years

ago so the entries are removed.

Now if you have not made any paymrnts or made a written

acknowledgment in 6 clear years the debt is statute barred

and cannot be enforced in court.

Do NOT speak to them on the phone!!!!

 

Has the actually been a letter stating what they are chasing??

 

If not wait until they do say what the debt is.

 

Otherwise send the following letters to the DCAs

Compliance Manager.

 

RefXXXXXXX

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I refer to your recent contact regarding a debt which you allege

is owed by me, please take note I do not acknowledge any debt

to you or any company you may claim to represent.

 

Having taken advice regarding this matter and on checking my records

and credit reference files I have concluded that any such alleged debt

would now be statute barred, therefore I will not now or inthe future make

any payment or offer of payment in this matter.

 

I now require you to cease to process or store any data you hold one me

with immediate effect.

 

I am sure you are aware of the OFT Guidance on Debt Collection 2003/2011

and the section regarding the pursuit of Statute Barred debt once you have

been informed of the status of the debt.

 

I would also remind you of the ICOs Technical Guidance regarding

the sale of statute barred debt without informing the purchaser of

the status of the debt.

 

Any further attempts by your company to press for payment of the

alleged debt will be considered harassment and suitable action WILL

be taken.

 

Send recorded delivery.

[Diesel1]

Thanks for your feedback. In answer to your questions:

 

No they have not specified why they are contacting me. All correspondance has been to either to get me to contact them or for me to give my details. I have done neither.

 

I was just planning to ignore until they actually said I had a debt (I assume that is why they are calling). And if it was legitmate pay it, preferably to the actually owner not the DCA, if it isn't legitmate (as in those 2 cases I gave as possible explanations) fight it.

 

This is infact the 1st time I have ever had anyone contact me about anything. All of a sudden two different companies between early March to end of June. PDCS have stopped, SRJ called again this afternoon, i just let it ring out. So in answer to your other question I haven't been notified of any debts from anyone, no one has chased me ever prior to March 2012.

 

I have always provided a forwarding address (my parents) for all utilities etc. so I recieve the "final bill paid letter".

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

As soon as they reveal their purpose and if you

are confident that the debt isSB send the letter.

[Bazooka Boo]

Don't be at all intimidated by a tin pot outfit that you don't answer the phone, sometimes it is good to answer and vent your spleen at them and telling them in no uncertain terms that if they ring you again you will report them to the Police for harassment.

[i hate bailiffs]

this may be the letter to send

 

 

Dear PERSONS,

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for interesting yourselves in my financial affairs.

 

It has been brought to my attention that you paid an outstanding debt on my behalf to ( bank name)

I cannot thank you enough for doing this as I was unable to do so myself. You have restored my faith in the goodwill of others and you sir are truly a good Samaritan.

 

If I may be so bold as to mention, I do have some other outstanding financial matters that you may wish to take a look at and having spoken to some friends and family they too would like you to look into their financial affairs.

 

I believe that the sum (bank name) accepted from you as payment of the debt was around £20.00, well done to you sir for managing to reach such an amazing deal with the bank. I had tried in vain to get them to accept that amount from me but to no avail, you sir have clearly mastered the art of negotiation.

 

I have already written to the queen asking that you be considered for an award for services of charity to the people, I do hope it is acted upon.

 

Yours most thankfully,

 

adapt to suit

[Whoosh]

next time they call just tell them that before you can continue the conversation you need to take them through security. Ask them anything you fancy - when I was being called I liked to ask them their porn star name

 

I have decided that these phone calls are just a free form of entertainment

[Diesel1]

SB aside. Can either of these "debts" be passed on to me? I assume situation 1 100% not. But situation 2? Even though the contract is not in my name and never has been

[Bazooka Boo]

In a word no.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

SB aside. Can either of these "debts" artybe passed on to me? I assume situation 1 100% not. But situation 2? Even though the contract is not in my name and never has been

 

NO, unless you were party to a joint account.