Debt collector chasing - what to do ?

[purpleisntmycolour]

My son was the victim of fraud in 2023. Someone used his bank details online to buy some mobile phones. I’m not sure if he told the phone company at the time but his bank stopped the payments (several thousand) and we thought that was the end of it. Phone company have sold the alleged debt to Lowell’s (debt collection co) who are now chasing him. The spelling of his name on the debt is wrong, and it’s connected with an address he has no connection with. One payment of £11 he didn’t notice went out of his account and this apparently means they can chase him for it all. Wondering if anyone knows how we deal with this please? I know we need to write to the credit ref agencies but was wondering how to get the fraudulent debt out of his name. Thank you!

Did you report it to the police at the time? You can use the report to show that it wasn’t your son.

Contact Action Fraud and ask their advice

Give them the crime reference number from when it happened and also sort that with the credit report agencies. He needs to sort this and not bury his head in the sand.

Engage with the debt collection agency and explain the situation. They will (hopefully) understand that the debt is nothing to do with your son and write it off.
I'm really shocked that the phone company have passed the debt over to a collection company. Might be worth contacting them to check what's happening.
Contact CAB.

One payment of £11 he didn’t notice went out of his account and this apparently means they can chase him for it all.

who took the payment, and how did it come about that they had a direct debit for his bank account?

Some years ago I was in a similar position. I would get a letter from a debt collector. I would provide them with all the documentation and would hear no more until the company incorrectly pursuing the disputed debt instructed a new debt collector. On repeat until I got a letter from Lowell. I sent them all the information plus the list of previous debt collectors. They not only dealt with the company and put an end to their wholly unwarranted claim that I owed money, they also made sure my credit status was restored to what it had been. And the company trying to pressure ££ out of me was a massive household name so they are not swayed by the size of the company involved.

I hope Lowell will be able to help your son in the same way.

The funny thing about these debt collection companies is that you don’t have to pay them because you didn’t have the contract with them when you bought whatever it was (although I understand in this case your son was defrauded). If The company had kept the debt to themselves and then taking your son to court that would be different. You can reverse it on them and threaten to report them for harassment.

I’d speak to the bank for confirmation to be emailed to your son. Use this to forward to the debt collector and chase it up to ensure it’s been acknowledged.

Please don’t ever give that advice to anyone. Ever. You’ll get them into real financial trouble when they’re dragged to court or have bailiffs at the door, when they could have easily arranged an affordable repayment plan. Debt collection companies are always willing to work with the person, always. You make a plan you can afford. You do not ignore it because you are legally on the hook. Your advice is dangerous.

It doesn’t work like that. 🤷‍♀️

sorry