WTF?! "UK Finance Agency" says I owe 50 grand!

[BabCNesbitt]

I moved to the US a couple of years ago, and before I left I made absolutely sure that I cleared all my credit cards, paid all outstanding utilities, etc etc. My parents have just told me that they had a phone call from (as my DF heard it) the "UK Finance Agency" saying that I have an £50,000 debt outstanding! They spoke to my DF on Monday and left another voicemail on Tuesday, but didn't give any return contact details. DF tried calling 1471 for a return number but the number (0191 565 368) didn't work. They haven't called since. BTW, I've never lived at the address where my parents now live.

Is this some kind of scam, or do I need to start panicking? I really can't think of any reason why I would have such a large debt in the UK!

Should also note that my mother has the same name as me, but she's [Bab Nesbitt] whereas I'm [Bab C Nesbitt]. The person on the phone asked to speak to [Miss Bab Nesbitt], rather than Mrs. Not that I think my mother has a secret gambling habit.

Sounds dodgy to me. This looks good advice www.money.co.uk/article/1009025-how-to-deal-with-debt-collectors.htm

Sorry link again www.money.co.uk/article/1009025-how-to-deal-with-debt-collectors.htm

Sounds like a scam. Never heard of them. Why wouldn't they leave details of how to pay if they were genuine? Phone number didn't work = red flag. Never even lived there = red flag.

If you google the number it comes up in other forums, looks like a scam

Sounds like a scam. I can't find a site by that name online and also as a credit controller who does chase debt I would never tell someone's parents. If they phone again get your parents to tell them to put it in writing.

Thanks for talking me down, everyone. Jimjams, that link is very helpful, thank you. I'll see if they get back to my folks. breathe

That sounds like bollocks. You'd remember if you owed £50k. And googling doesn't come up with anything for "uk Finance Agency". Nor would any proper organisation tell your dad anything.

Scam, scam, scam
whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/0191565368
Not least because Newcastle numbers (0191) have 7 digits after the code, not 6, so it isn't a real phone number.

It's a scam. There's no way you'd owe that much from utility bills and you'd know about credit card debts of that size. If it was unpaid tax it would be the inland revenue contacting you and they'd write first and not to your parents.

Well, all my salary was PAYE until my maternity leave finished, so it's unlikely to be the Inland Revenue (I hope!)

of course it is a scam. Worry not.

as are any calls offering computer help, PPI reclaims, etc etc. It was your mother that they were after.

be aware that there are companies targeting senior citizens. Respond to one (not that they have) and they go on a 'suckers list' and life can be made hell.

www.thinkjessica.com/

Sorry OP it does sound like a scam.

Also sorry to go a little off topic here but I noticed specialsubject's link and found it disturbing as it does mention scams however it also seems to advocate depriving adults of liberty for an assumed made up theory WTF? Redirecting people's mail? Please talk to your parents but I can't believe anyone would think it is alright to take liberties like that over someone else for their own suspicions.