How can this work debt wise?

[Soubriquet]

We had a letter through the other day from a debt company. Didn't have a clue what it was about

Rang them today to find out it isn't even our debt!

MIL had bought Dh a ring years ago as a gift. Unknown to him she had out his name on the catalogue order but her contact details.

He never asked for it and didn't even want it.

She never paid off the order.

We've spoken to the company and said because it's in dh's name, it's his debt.

surely this is wrong? Means I could sign my mum up to any catalog and order that the hell I like and not pay for it.

We are already NC with MIL due to her obsession with money so this is just another nail in the coffin

Ask the company to prove it. There must be signed paperwork

I'm pretty sure the company has to prove you owe them money if identity disputed - not for you to prove you don't. The CAB will have good advice.

Did your MIL not have to sign up a credit agreement? Was that agreement with her and the company? Or did she pose as your DH?

I don't know. We are talking years ago. Right back when Dh was a teenager (he had his own money)

We are going to dispute it as much as we can

It is up to your DH to challenge it. Has he never had any letters from the catalogue company in his name before?

As PP said you could ask them to provide details of how the agreement was made and what ID checks they did.

You could also report it to Action Fraud and give the debt collection agency the crime ref no. But obviously this could have repercussions.

Oh god if he was a child at the time it should be even more cut and dried. Some sample letters here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/responsible-for-a-credit-debt/check-if-youre-responsible-for-a-credit-debt/

No we've had nothing before

They asked what his email address was and it didn't match the one they had. He took a guess at his mothers and voila a match.

The address is the same because the family have owned this place on and off for years. We now rent it where she did before.

Thank you for the letter templates.

We are not being left with we debts!

She is not a nice woman

Was he under 18 at the time she entered into the contract? If he was he can ask how he could possibly have become party to a valid contract as a minor?

If the debt hasn't been acknowledged in the last 6 years it's statued barred (?) anyway so it isn't enforceable.

It sounds like this debt collection agency is clutching at straws. I'd just ignore it. All they're doing is hoping you will panic and agree to pay it.

Definitely been more than 6 years

Sorry wrong. Dh said its got one year left