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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To write to her school?

152 replies

triplesalco · 24/09/2017 07:34

My NDN moved in two years ago.

Friendly, chatty and generally lovely.
Their daughter is at a local high school and I know this because all letters for them from the school (in headed envelopes) have my door number on them.

The first few times I'd just drop them through their door. Then the next few times made sure to knock and hand it over with a "didn't know you'd moved into mine!?"
Now yesterday, another one arrived.

My great nephew (2) was visiting and got and opened the post before I did. I got the post was ready to apologise and be all PA about if they'd changed door number etc, then I read it. School is threatening court action and debt recovery.
Now as the parents have not changed the address, should I anonymously contact school with a please amend you details of this student?

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 24/09/2017 14:59

Exactly melj. I'd also like to point out ops dc is below the age of legal responsibility.

marcopront · 24/09/2017 15:17

Unless you have lived in a house where a serial debtor used to live it is hard to understand how it feels to get a letter every week threatening you with bailiffs.
Debtors will send letters back saying "not known at this address" so that is not the easy solution. Did you know most debt collection agencies use the same return address? There is a central office in Warrington - I am not sure what they do with them.
Calling can work but not always - again debtors might do that. I was the bailiffs never came and then I moved.

Neverknowing · 24/09/2017 18:57

You don't really need to say where they do live, just that they don't live at your house? Just ask them to not send any more letters to your house?

melj1213 · 24/09/2017 20:44

Never the OP doesn't need to give them the correct address, but since she knows it and by providing it she then also knows that the school has the correct address (and therefore she shouldn't get any more of their mail) why wouldn't she put it in any letter/email/message she was sending them anyway?

Especially as by setting out as information that "you have 123 Address, but actually should have 125 Address" shows that its just a minor clerical error and should be easy to fix by clarifying with NDN which number they live at.

Neverknowing · 24/09/2017 21:55

Because I doubt they would change the address on the op's say so. Maybe I'm wrong but they can't keep writing to her if they're not for her ?

Aquamam · 24/09/2017 21:57

😕 Just email the school & say that person doesn’t live at that address

Bubblebubblepop · 24/09/2017 22:09

As PP said this is very easily resolved

If anyone gets baliffs round call the police. Court appointed baliffs ultimately need to police to enforce their order so should be understanding ( as much as they can be) the other sharks will leave. They have no more right to hassle you than anyone else.

Baliffs are absolute scum I'm afraid and I wouldn't dream of dealing with them without the police present

steppemum · 24/09/2017 22:26

contact school.
Ring them and explain the mix up and your concern over debt collectors etc at your address.

Follow up with email - further to my telephone call etc.

I think it is quite urgent givent he bad debt associated with your address

Drivingmenuts · 25/09/2017 17:31

I think its against the law to open someone else's post, even by mistake. Return with a correction of the address.

jessebuni · 25/09/2017 17:39

I would toss the opened one and deny all knowledge but if you get another one I would take the still closed envelopes to the school and make sure to take proof of your own address. Just say you've been getting them through and show them your proof of address and explain that they don't live there so if they are important letters they will need to find an up to date correct address for them. Either that or give them to your local post office and say you keep getting them but no one of that name lives at your address.

jessebuni · 25/09/2017 17:42

Also whilst you don't want debt collectors appearing it would very quickly solve your problem because you could call the police and with their assistance explain to the debt collectors that this is your address and that person doesn't live there no have they lived there in the past X number of years and could you please make sure you do not turn up at my door ever again thank you.

TakeAnadin · 25/09/2017 17:54

Yes, you need to ring the school because CCJ's are taken out on property addresses and you don't want one ruining your credit rating. Just do it.

Sallybates · 25/09/2017 17:59

Let school know. Do you want your address to be listed as a bad debtor? Lots of implications for you here

SoupDragon · 25/09/2017 18:03

I think its against the law to open someone else's post, even by mistake.

No, it isn't. It's only against the law if there is intent to deceive or defraud etc

martellandginger · 25/09/2017 18:07

Ring them yes. I would also email them and remind them of conversation.

GwenStaceyRocks · 25/09/2017 18:10

Write to the school. Ask them to update their records; to check the information via the electoral register if necessary and for them to write back confirming they have deleted your address from the account and that your address will not be pursued for any outstanding debts.

We have a business. This happens all the time. Keep a copy of your letter and their response on file.

Pemba · 25/09/2017 18:14

Credit records are attached to a person, not an address. So it shouldn't affect your credit score.

However it could still cause a problem for you if bailiffs come around, etc.

luckylorca · 25/09/2017 18:16

I would call the school immediately and be honest about the whole situation, including your fears.

Or....Do you want to come back from work to find the bailiffs are loading your car onto a lorry as part-payment of the debt (and because no-one has been in touch with them for weeks)??!!!

BeccaAnn · 25/09/2017 18:26

It is illegal to open someones post. as its from the school I imagine like most it has a design on the front next to the stamp or a return to sender address. just call them up and sey you've received some post not for you and you think its Mrs/ Miss X next door as you recognise the last name. simple.

Turquoise123 · 25/09/2017 18:27

you have to do something otherwise the bailiffs will be coming to you .

Take a letter to the school stating that they are sending letters to the wrong address.

You don't have to do anything else e.g give correct addres\s.

RolandRat · 25/09/2017 18:32

A) Addresses are not blacklisted by credit agencies, only people, so this will not be an issue.
B) Bailiffs will not just charge into your house and take all your property if you simply explain they have the wrong address and show them a CT bill.
C) Having worked in a school I can confirm parents can and do rack up £1000’s in unpaid school dinner fees. However the threat of bailiffs is an empty threat! If/when the child leaves the school it will be written off.

Shona52 · 25/09/2017 19:00

YEs of course as this can impact on your credit with your address being black listed if they go to court

SoupDragon · 25/09/2017 19:01

3)A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.

So, if there is no intent to act to a person's detriment there is no offence.

GrandDesespoir · 25/09/2017 19:19

No. Stay out of it. None of your business.

Even if the OP hadn't inadvertently discovered the debt issue, it's become her business by virtue of letters from the school regularly turning up on her doormat.

nellieellie · 25/09/2017 19:22

You do need to let the school know. I wouldn't worry too much about the fact of opening the letter. County court judgements are recorded against addresses and would affect your credit rating. To get to the bailiffs is a lengthy process - after court summons, then judgement then enforcement. So don't wait until bailiffs are at your door to correct this! Just go into the school with the letter, and explain. Maybe take Id.