Buchanan, Clarke and Wells - anyone heard of them?

[surprisenumber3]

Just answered phone to an automated message saying please call this number ...... quoting the unique reference number......... and then saying this is not a marketing call.

Have googled them and apparently they are a debt collecting agency - I'm not behind with any payments at all.

Should I call? Or is it a scam?

I've had corresondence on-going with them for over a year re. the despicable outfit known as the Carphone Warehouse.

This bunch are no better from my experience - they hassle continually. I have wasted my time trying to tell them the situation, but they really don't want to know. I have written about six times to them, and now refuse to speak, telling them to put everything to me in writing.

I keep begging these people to take me to court so we can sort it out. Still waiting.............

Good luck!

I'd call them using the ordinary office number you found from Google (in case the one on the message is a premium number - that's one typical scam - to collect from the premium number rate) and find out what the claimed debt is.

You might well find (for instance) that someone completely unconnected to you has given your number to them.

If it is something like that, perhaps CAB? Or check back here for initial advice?

thanks - I have called their 'proper- - 0141 number.

Not happy, it was about XH who left 7 years ago.

I really hope he hasn't blacklisted my address as I have worked so hard, working lots of part-time jobs so as not to get into debt, or at least be able to pay it off if I did.

Especially with the current credit situation the way it is..

Interesting article mentioning Buchanan, Clarke & Wells - do read about "fuzzy matching" under "What to do if the bailiffs threaten to call".

A recent debt of his, ie since he left? Or one from 7 years ago?

If it was a debt run up since he left, then just write them a clear straightforward letter saying that he has not been resident at your address since (date). Keep a copy, and each time they hassle you, write again in exactly the same terms.

They may hassle you for his current address, but if you don't want to give it to them (eg afraid of his reaction etc.) I think (NOTE! entirely uninformed opinion here, so check with CAB etc.) you are probably free not to.

Sorry, cross posted - but should also be useful if this comes up in an MN search later.

Are they still going to hound you for his debt then?
I think you can write a letter to the credit reference agencies stating you no longer have any financial connection or otherwise with XH and that should take you and your house off the list.

Thanks all - told the company I would pass on their details. Called XH and he called them straight away. Apparently it's a T-Mobile debt from years ago which has long been paid

Hope that's the end of it now!

Your address cannot be blacklisted. You can however be financially linked to someone who lived at the same address as you, either through things like a credit check for a mortgage application, joint bank accounts etc.
You can have this link removed by writing/emailing the credit reference agencies.

If the debt was more than 6 yrs old and there had been no contact with ex husband in that time then they would be on a sticky wicket anyway.

thank you - I think I may send some letters out because XH has never been any good at managing his finances.

I had a call like that this morning.It's a debt collection agency.Buchanan/Clark and Wells'.I have googled them,they are a bunch of parasites who hunt down people for age-old debts.Go to moneysavingexpert.com for info on them or just google them.Lots of negativity surrounding these people.I am ignoring my call,i have not phoned them,i recommend that you do the same.If they really do want to contact you they can put it in writing or phone you.Don't give them any personal info/bank etc.They are apparently extremely offensive and snotty on the phone.I only know all of this as i have googled them.I have sent them an e-mail asking to prove any debt of mine in writing as i know full well that i don't owe a penny to anyone but it may be an old,old debt which i most certainly will not entertain them with paying.Hope this helps.
Dawn xx

They have just rung me back,(it's amazing what a mood after a bad night with an ill toddler can achieve when you're writing an e-mail).They were looking for a person with the same surname as me who lived in the next village.I wish these people would get their facts right before putting the frighteners on people.I dread to think what an OAP or somebody weaker willed would have felt.

! recently moved to a new house and had a phone line and internet installed, they gave me a number as expected and these guys are constantly ringing me on the number, the thing is I have given out my new number to family and friends and its such a pain getting another number and giving it out again.

I have told them to take the number off there files but they haven't

sick of the calls to be honest morning noon and bloody night going to have to report them