To be panicking?

[Annalisatheantelope]

Keep receiving letters from three telling me I owe them money for a missed payment. I only use PAYG so this is not possible. The sort code and account numbers change everytime in the letters too. I googled the number and many reports that it was spam. The live chat advisors also said to ignore them.
However, I now have another letter saying they have got debt agencies involved because I haven't paid up. When I googled it said that even if I am not responsible for any of this, I still cannot ignore the letters. I am panicking so much. Just dont know what to do. I don't want bailiffs at my door.

Ignore ignore ignore, plenty of people have told you its spam so bin them.

But they can still get debt collectors round can't they ? Even if it's a scam

The sort code and account numbers changing does sound dodgy, and as you haven't used that company for credit then most likely a scam.

Is it worth doing a credit check in case someone has signed up to a phone in your name fraudulently? I use clearscore and it is free. If there is an account with 3 in your name it will show up.

Or call 3 and ask them to confirm no pay monthly account for you?

3 have said there is no contract in my name apart from the PAYG but this only seems to be happening to me. Other people have had calls and texts of a similar nature but never letters.

If it isn't real then they can't send bayliffs around, no.
But. I'd be wary of people potentially pretending to be bayliffs turning up if it is a scam? You can always phone the police at the time if any of this was to happen.
Even with real bayliffs you can have police assistance.
Defo sounds like a scam to me.

If 3 had sold your debt on to debt collectors they would have a record of it, i wouldn't worry about it and bin the letters.

Sounds like a scam.

I've had the texts from 3 and mine were genuine- they messed up their payment systems and sent loads of stroppy messages to customers last month saying people hadn’t paid when in actual fact they had never tried to take the money.

They seem to have sorted this now and they apologised to me and gave me a small credit on my account.

I would guess some fraudsters have piggybacked onto this publicly recorded error and are trying their luck. Ignore them but get a credit check for peace of mind.

The letters just seem to be more and more threatening.
I've spoken to three on the live chat everytime and they say to ignore it but it's hard when you have letters saying that they are getting debt collectors involved etc. Can't help but worry and feel stuck. I've reported it many times to three but the letters persist and I don't know how to get them to stop.

Speak to Citizens Advice maybe?

If Three aren't sending the letters how do you think they're going to stop them?

Check your credit file on Clearscore or similar. If debt is registered to your name you will be able to find it on there.

Although it sounds intimidating bailiffs can't just force their way into your home unless you've voluntarily allowed them in on a previous occasion. If someone claiming to be a bailiff turns up call the police. Genuine ones will wait rather than risk losing their job and prosecution for forcing entry or taking property unlawfully.

No they can't because it's a scam. They're just trying to scare you into paying that's how scams work. If you've called your operator and they've said to ignore the letters then you're fine.

Also report it to the police of you feel unsafe

They're trying to scare you into paying. You don't owe them any money, and they can't do anything to you.

I understand your worry.

it's easy to say not to worry, it's clearly a scam, but when it's you being threatened, it's scary.

can you call Three & get them to send you something saying you only have PAYG and don't owe them any money.

I hope you're saving all of these letters/messages.

then once you have the letter from
Three, I'd file a report to the police online & ask what more you can do as you're scared of 'bailiffs' (fakes) turning up

Tell them you've reported it to the police. They'll move on to someone else.

Yes I might go on the live chat and ask if they can send me confirmation that I owe nothing. Because I see this escalating

They can't send bailiffs to collect a made up debt, OP. The scammers are trying to scare you into giving them money and it sounds like it's nearly working.

Why are you so afraid, do you have other debt?

PAYG doesn't allow for debt though does it? You prepay, and they sometimes let you go into minus but will deduct that from next top up. So you can't owe them if you regularly top up. My understanding of it anyway 😬

Check your credit score/report on clear score or credit karma and itl will clear everything up.

Three have said there is only one account with my name which is the PAYG.
I just feel worried as although it has been mentioned on Google, most people are getting the calls, not official letters with debt recovery notices.
I don't have any debts at all. I just worry someone will come to my house to collect the 'debt.'

If debt collectors come round, do not let them in. They probably won’t come though, it’s just to scare you.

It’s a scam three have no input or control over this it’s nothing to do with them
it’s pointless contacting them again and again

You don’t have a debt. It’s an attempted scam. If people turn up at your door pretending to be bailiffs, tell them you’re calling the police and shut the door.
Real bailiffs can’t be sent for a non existent debt.

Debt collectors are unable to call without a CCJ in place - so unless you get a court letter you are fine.
If you are concerned they are real accidental letters write back asking to see proof you owe the debt - a genuine company will try and provide proof, or ignore your letter and send no more. Keep a copy of that letter, and send it signed for
Then if you did get a court letter you can tell them you asked for proof as you don't owe the debt