How can I stop debt collectors phoning for a previous resident?

Question

They phone twice a day, at unusual hours and this is despite my having told them that the person they are after no longer lives here, and that I will consider it harassment if they continue to phone. They have his new address and phone number

Answer 1

Probably will require a number change for you. You can obviously give them the straight story , but often there are multiple collectors involved. My parents went thru this recently & the phone company had them on a new number the next day at no charge. It just ends up being the least hassle option unless you have dozens of people to give the new number to.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem at a previous address. I told them the new address of the debtor and the calls stopped, however it appears this isn't working for you.
I would suggest registering with the telephone preference service (number in BT phone book) and also asking BT if they can help. Changing your phone number should stop the calls. Also contact the citizens advice bureau for help.
Also, when the collection companies call, politely tell them that said person no longer lives there, you are the new resident and can prove it if necessary (assuming you have proof of this of course, tenancy agreement etc). Also, if a company has you on their database and you ask them to take you off it, they are legally obliged to do so, however this may be different for debt collecting companies.
Good luck

Answer 3

Did you give the company the old resident's new address and telephone number? If you did, the reason they are still contacting you is because that they are legally unable to change account information unless they have the account holders permission.

If you are getting mail for this guy then start returning it to sender rather than forwarding it on to him. This way the company will get the message he is no longer living there and stop sending you his mail. Normally when mail is returned companies trace customers new addresses.

With regards the telephone number, normally most companies will call you 3 or 4 times to make sure they have got the wrong number. I would ask to speak to a manager and explain what is happening. If you have no luck there it maybe just as wise to change your number.

Answer 4

Why have them stop???? you will loose all the fun.

Look. It happened to me long time ago. Someone used my name as a guarantor without me knowing it. After he defaulted a whole bunch of dept collectors kept calling me. So this is what I was doing: I would pick up the phone and start swearing to them. Really bad in three languages.

I called them names, ridiculed them, threatened them, etc etc. They kept coming for more. I knew a couple by name after a while. Aparently they liked it too.

It was really fun. Once a friend of mine that was visiting had his turn too.

They can do absolutely nothing.

So go ahead and start swearing at them. Eventually they will stop. And then you'll wish they did not.

Have fun

Answer 5

Why do they keep calling if they have the right number? That part makes no sense. We have a similar problem. We asked for a new phone number. The phone company gave it to us, but added that they "recycle" numbers, and that our "new" number would have a previous owner. We find this out every couple of days with a collection call or a call from this person's son's school. Weird. In one instance, I have gone to the trouble to explain how we got their number, and how the person they are after no longer has that number. They calimed to make a note of it, and promised no more calls. Try explaining. If they don't act responsibly on updated info, ask to have your number changed by the phone company. But that's always a roulette spin.

Answer 6

I have the same thing happening to me right now. I know the person to whom the debt belongs to, but have refused to give their personal details to the collectors.........ie their mobile phone number and address, simply because of the attitude of the company that phoned me. Accused me of protecting my friend, who in their opinion was using me to hide behind and then threatened that they would continue to phone me until i divulged my friends details. They werent the least bit phased that i was contacting my solicitor and they still continued to phone me on a regular basis. But unlike Kimon......the last time they phoned, i was so insipidly nice and sweet with them..they haven't phoned me this week. I think they have got the message that I really don't care how many times they ring me and in fact I look forward to it, but no way will i give out my friends personal details.
If you're reading this Mr Colley of Allied International Collection Agency......have a nice day.....x

Answer 7

Ask for their address and the contact name of the Manager. Then send a letter that requests them to stop calling your number seeking out this other person who no longer lives there. Indicate that should these calls continue beyond the receipt of the letter you will consider it harassment and will turn the issue over to your lawyer to handle.

They don't need to know you may not even have a lawyer :) , because the letter is now in their hands, they have to by law, stop calling. See if that fixes the problem. If not...DO hand it to a lawyer who is competent to deal with this or get a legaleze friend or someone who can sound like a lawyer to call them and tell them to 'cease and desist' or face legal action. Bringing the mention of a lawyer in usually stops the problem.

Good luck

Answer 8

You can report this sort of behaviour to trading Standards. I know it sounds unusual but even loan companies need to stick to the rules. It states that they cannot harass people at unsociable hours nor can they threaten residents if they are not responsible for the debt. Look up on the internet, and next time they call tell them you are going to report them, that should stop the calls.
This loan company is also in the wrong as they should check the electoral roll for your address and they will see that the person responsible for the loan no longer lives there. That is bearing in mind you have actually registered on the electoral roll.

Answer 9

Check out their address and telephone number. May not be the collectors.
They don't usually make calls, will write letters. Calls cost them money.

You and the past person have the same number?

Contact BT have these creaps checked out.

Answer 10

Either speak to your phone provider and ask them to block all numbers that are with held (costs about 1.99 a month), or explain whats happening and they normally will change your number free of charge.

Only other option is when they call ask them to remove this number from their records.

Good luck x