Debt collection agency after money but the debt isn't ours!

[MotherOfGremlins]

My BIL evidently got himself a credit card when he lived here years ago.

We've just had a letter through the door that we opened by accident (same surname - didn't expect anyone else's post!), and it's from Lowell Portfolio chasing £4k from Vanquis.

I know nothing else.

Do I just tell them that he doesn't live at this address? Will that make them go away?

Hey,

I would deffo ring them up and say it’s not your debt. Good idea to maybe give them evidence too if you ring/call.

If I’m doubt give citizens advice a call?

xx

Thank you - I wasn't sure whether to just ignore

Yes, just tell them that BIL hasn't lived at your address since X date.

Do you have any evidence if they ask - when was he last on the electoral roll at your house and where is he registered on the electoral roll now?

If anyone comes to the door your DH just needs to show them ID to prove he is not BIL. He probably also needs to give his brother a prod to sort himself out.

Just call them and say it's not yours. This happened to me once (previous tenant, rented flat) and that's what I did and they stopped chasing.

Ignore it.
He doesn't live there and you don't need to help them locate him.
Unless he's a prick ofc.

If you receive letters not in your name just 'return to sender'
If they show up at your door asking for someone that doesn't live there, council tax /Id should be enough proof.
I got bailiffs once looking for the previous tenants, loads of letters arrived home and returned them. I offered to show them council tax or rent agreement to proof they didn't live there. Politely refused and went on there way. No a single letter since.

As a PP suggested return any mail 'return to sender'. I always write on the envelope 'not known at this address'.

I presume you're still in contact with your BIL? If so I'd be telling him that you have received a letter regarding the debt and he needs to get in touch with Lowell asap and let them have his correct contact information. If he doesn't do that he risks getting issues with CCJ's without him knowing about it.

Thanks so much everyone - I was worried that it would be horrible to sort out and that there would be a list of dos and don'ts to make sure it didn't go on forever.

I called them and let them know that he doesn't live here, and it was as simple as that - they didn't ask for proof, or where he lives or anything.

DH had sent him a message to let him know and he said he'd sort it out - I called myself just to make sure they'd heard it from me that he's not here. I think this is probably something left over from a long distant wild youth, but it sounds like it's in hand.

I'm really glad - I've enough else on my plate and really didn't need another headache to sort out!

@TheQueef

Ignore it. He doesn't live there and you don't need to help them locate him. Unless he's a prick ofc.

And the bailiffs will still chase the OP, unfortunately its the oldest trick in the book for a debtor to say they are not the person who owes the money and genuine people like the OP do have to prove its not them , put it like this if someone owed you money and you got the bailiffs involved to get it back would you expect them to just shrug their shoulders and stop chasing the payment just because someone says its not their debt wouldn't you want them to get proof of that?

As unsavoury as some are bailiffs just need ID if you aren't the debtor they just go away.