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Original poster

Debt collector letters keep arriving

11 replies

AchillesLastStand · 29/03/2022 13:14

We moved into a house in September last year and since then we have been receiving debt collection letters. We bought the house from a divorced couple and the letters are for him relating to an unpaid parking fine.

The first one that arrived I ripped up for recycling by accident and saw it’s contents. The previous owner didn’t sign up for post redirect and asked us to leave all her post with next door which I’ve been doing. I’m wondering if she’s actually passing the letters onto her ex. We also keep getting letters for him from the DVLA. I thought it was illegal not to notify them of a change of address. I had another letter arrive today, I know this as on the envelope it says, Don’t Delay Pay Today. I’ve put a letter back in the post to resend to sender not at this address but they keep arriving.

I don’t want a debt collector at my door. What to do?

OP posts:
Blimeyherewegoagain · 29/03/2022 13:17

Just keep doing that and write on the envelope that the house has been sold. Don’t give your name.

Fl0w3ry · 29/03/2022 13:21

We had similar in our house. I opened the letters accidently, phoned the companies and told them I had opened them accidently as I assume all post coming to my home is for me and that the people no longer live here. They made a note of it on their records and the letters stopped.

Beees · 29/03/2022 13:24

We had similar here when we moved in and I opened all of them and called the companies. This is the only way to resolve the issue, return to sender etc does not work. This worked for all but 1 and they did send 2 blokes to our door but it wasn't a scary experience. They were very polite and the letters also stopped after their visit as we had shown them we now owned the property.

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JauntyJinty · 29/03/2022 13:29

@Beees

We had similar here when we moved in and I opened all of them and called the companies. This is the only way to resolve the issue, return to sender etc does not work. This worked for all but 1 and they did send 2 blokes to our door but it wasn't a scary experience. They were very polite and the letters also stopped after their visit as we had shown them we now owned the property.
We had the same and completly agree with this

The only thing I would add is to keep the latest council tax letter somewhere handy so if someone does knock on the door you can have it ready to show them - that was all they wanted as proof from us

Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 29/03/2022 13:34

Thanks for the replies. I think I will open the letter that’s just arrived and phone them. It’s just the one agency so hopefully they will stop.

Jaunty, yes I have a copy of our council tax bill filed away safely, also I have the title deeds from Land Registry to prove we now own the house should they come to my door.

OP posts:
Beees · 29/03/2022 13:36

The only thing I would add is to keep the latest council tax letter somewhere handy so if someone does knock on the door you can have it ready to show them - that was all they wanted as proof from us

This was what we showed them too. Grin At the end of the day there is no reason to be afraid if any agents do show up at the door, they are just doing a job and they aren't there for you. However this is unlikely to happen if you phone in relation to each debt. I think we had 6 or 7 different ones and all but 1 were stopped with just the call.

Puppylucky · 29/03/2022 13:51

Ha! We are currently living with this, only in our case the previous occupant is a serial offender in terms of parking offences. Totally agree that return to sender doesn't work, but we have to email our proof of address every time we receive a notice from the debt collection agency (6 times so far) as they seem incapable of updating their database - the one time we didn't we got the bailiff at the door but as above he was very nice and quite shy :-)

ivykaty44 · 29/03/2022 14:38

I wouldn't waste my time telephoning, if they don't want to accept that the returned post is not proof, then bailiffs will arrive and you show them your ctax statement, tell them to check electoral register

as the pp states she has proved 6 times that they own the house now, all because the debt keeps being sold on to another company and so it starts again.

Xpologog · 29/03/2022 15:01

I had the same happen. They still had cars registered with DVLA and insurance at my address. Bailiffs letter also turned up, I googled the return address.
You’re not supposed to open or destroy the mail ( but after 5 years I was getting close to it!) I “returned to sender” via postbox but did eventually phone an insurance company when a letter had “ your car insurance renewal documents enclosed” on it.
If you think they have vehicles registered at your address you could try phoning. And of course mail does get opened by mistake….

pussycatunpickingcrossesagain · 29/03/2022 15:08

I had an unpaid gas bill from the previous owners. I returned it to BG with details of the solicitors acting for them (and the reference number/contact name) as I didn't have a forwarding address.
They didn't write again, so maybe try that route?

Original poster
AchillesLastStand · 29/03/2022 18:40

I have managed to get through to them on the phone and they’ve sent it to their tracing department and will try and track him down. His car is still registered to our address and we also get lots of letters from Aviva Insurance for him as well. When the letters arrive I think I’ll have to give them a call.

OP posts:
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