question about debt

Amnesia · 10 Oct 2010 at 14:20

PJM315 said:
That's not uncommon to get these kind of letters for previous owners/tennets but bear in mind it's illegal to open other peoples mail. Just write on the envelope "Not known @ this address".

who cares if its illegal...if you want them to stop with the letters then open them and give the people a call.

DB_SamX · 10 Oct 2010 at 14:30

Debt collectors hold barely any power. All they can do is threaten you, even though it's not you per se. THey have no power to come round and get your stuff, as they are not court appointed bailiffs, and it won't go that far because they have the wrong information. I suggest you read on the difference between the 2.

I would write them a final letter denying eveything again and tell them that harassment is illegal as per http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_factsheets/harassment_of_people_in_debt_by_creditors.php

PJM315 · 10 Oct 2010 at 14:30

Amnesia said:
who cares if its illegal...if you want them to stop with the letters then open them and give the people a call.

Why would you do that @ your own time/expense?

Amnesia · 10 Oct 2010 at 14:44

PJM315 said:
Why would you do that @ your own time/expense?

because the constant letters get annoying and also i wouldnt want bailiffs knocking at the door (which they eventually do) especially when i'm not home.
the other half is a bit gullible and could be talked into giving her mother away.

PJM315 · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:12

Amnesia said:
because the constant letters get annoying and also i wouldnt want bailiffs knocking at the door (which they eventually do) especially when i'm not home.
the other half is a bit gullible and could be talked into giving her mother away.

Treat them as you would with junk mail. We all get loads of those. As MrMoonX said, it sounds like an unsecured debt so baliffs are a no no with that one. Been through it myself with a previous owner. A solicitor told me about opening mail that was not addressed to me.

Postal Services Act 2000 Section 84

A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, opens a postal packet which they know or suspect to have been delivered incorrectly.

I was a little stressed at first but took his advice.

Amnesia · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:21

bailiffs still come ...just not from the courts. in other words if you let them in then they take what they like.
as for the above offense...ive phoned the courts and the police notifying them that said person does not live at this address, neither had a problem with me opening the mail and informing them.

PJM315 · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:32

Amnesia said:
bailiffs still come ...just not from the courts. in other words if you let them in then they take what they like.
as for the above offense...ive phoned the courts and the police notifying them that said person does not live at this address, neither had a problem with me opening the mail and informing them.

Well I'm not here to fall out with anyone on this forum so I'll bow out. (Capitals work for me lol). Just kidding

Amnesia · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:34

no need to bow out, i wasn't arguing mate...just telling of my experience as you were.

lee32uk · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:37

Amnesia said:
bailiffs still come ...just not from the courts. in other words if you let them in then they take what they like.
as for the above offense...ive phoned the courts and the police notifying them that said person does not live at this address, neither had a problem with me opening the mail and informing them.

Who are these magical Baliffs you speak of ? No Baliff can take your stuff unless ordered to do so by a Court.

Amnesia · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:47

my bad it should say just from the courts

PJM315 · 10 Oct 2010 at 15:53

lee32uk said:
Who are these magical Baliffs you speak of ? No Baliff can take your stuff unless ordered to do so by a Court.

Actually they can Lee. I was evicted for lack of caps use. (Microsoft Reclusa).

stephen88 · 14 Oct 2010 at 11:57

if you are trying to resolve you debt and are seeking an arrangement then surly the debt collector will realise that going to court will not be in their interested because the court will accept that you can only pay what you have and so bailiffs are rarely used as it means that it is less likely the debt will be cleared and may just make it worse. I suppose it all depends on the amount you owe vs what you can afford to pay back.

PistolPete · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:44

Theophany said:
Phone up, inform them and get them to verify. The previous owners' bad credit could be linked to your home address which could potentially negatively affect your credit rating as they still seem to be registered to your address.

Simply not true any more (since about 2003/4)

Only people with which you have a financial link (such as a shared mortgage or joint bank account etc) will effect your file with the credit reference agencies. You could share a house with someone who is bankrupt or has defaulted on 1000s in debt and it will not affect your credit file.

Individual companies have been known to refuse credit to addresses with a history of problems especially utility services, but after proving how long you've lived there and some ID usually sorts it out.

BENJAMIN HERBLE · 14 Oct 2010 at 12:55

mmmm, we have a recurring gas debt from an evicted tenant who sent her details to our home address. We have 4 times provided completion statement, tenancy agreement and forwarding address of said tenant to british Gas debt collectors, who then go away apologising, the BG send it out with another debt collector, to our home address. Even a solicitors letter hasnt worked, what next?

iamtheoneneo · 14 Oct 2010 at 13:08

PJM315 said:
Postal Services Act 2000 Section 84

A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, opens a postal packet which they know or suspect to have been delivered incorrectly.

would love to see that go down in court...jailed for opening someones letter regarding their debt..as if.

anyhow. i have this with our previous tenant and his waterbill of £400 , i just pass them on the estate agents i think thev stopped now so they must have tracked him down.
but yeh dont worry about it just forward them on etc.

debt collection agencies love to harass and threaten , heck they could send you a court letter and all you would have to do is attend and prove your a different person and they would have egg on their face and you could then claim for compensation due to stress..lol.