This isn’t a full fact find, Thrifty Family doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provides information about your options.
For free & impartial money advice you can visit MoneyHelper. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options. This isn’t a full fact-find, some debt solutions may not be suitable in all circumstances, ongoing fees might apply & your credit rating may be affected.
My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.
For free & impartial money advice you can visit MoneyHelper. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options. This isn’t a full fact-find, some debt solutions may not be suitable in all circumstances, ongoing fees might apply & your credit rating may be affected.
Getting a letter from a debt collection agency is never a great experience. However, if you’re one of the people who ask, ‘I’m receiving debt collection letters for someone else’, it’s annoying too!
Check out my post. Find out what to do and how to deal with the situation to get a debt collector off your case!
Do you have to pay debt collectors?
You might not have to pay debt collectors.
If you genuinely can’t afford your debt repayments then looking into whether you could have your written off might be just what you need.
If you want to find out whether you qualify for having debt written off or payments lowered then fill out the short form below.
This isn’t a full fact find, Thrifty Family doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provides information about your options.
First, is the debt yours?
Debt collection agencies and creditors get things wrong. They fail to update their systems with debtors’ current addresses! Moreover, they use automated systems so letters are sent out automatically to an address the debtor no longer lives at!
So, here’s what to do when you get debt collection letters for someone else:
Go through all the details on the debt letterEstablish whether you entered into a joint credit agreement
Check you didn’t act as a guarantor for someone else
Ask the sender to ‘prove’ you owe the money and that the debt is yours to make sure you actually owe any money!
Can you clear a debt that’s not yours?
Mistakes happen whether clerical or other, so yes you can clear a debt that’s not yours. If you believe the debt isn’t yours or your name is on the letter in error, make sure you let the sender know.
Go through your credit file by contacting a credit reference agency. This will tell you whether you have any defaults, missed payments or CCJs against you!
If the debt is on your credit history but it’s definitely not yours, you can ask for it to be removed. Contact the credit reference agency and request they correct the information.
Can you lower your repayments?
If you’re struggling to pay back your debt, then you might qualify for a debt solution. Some solutions lower your monthly payments while others write off a portion of your debt.
To find out whether they could work in your situation, hit the button below.
File a dispute with the credit reporting company when you identify an incorrect entry on your credit file. For example, this could be with Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. Write a letter telling them what is wrong and provide proof to support the dispute.
What can you do when chased for a debt that’s not yours?
You could get a letter about a debt belonging to someone else when someone fails to update their details with creditors. It’s an annoying situation you need to resolve sooner rather than later!
The way to deal with the situation is to cross out the name on the envelope and write ‘not known at this address’ across it. Post the letter back to the sender. It’s a free service so you don’t have to pay!
This should stop the sender from bothering you again. However, they may get in touch again asking you to provide more information.
Check out what one unfortunate person asked on a forum:
You have no legal obligation to provide any further information to a creditor or debt collection agency! But it could help stop them from getting in touch again. So, for example, send them a copy of a council tax bill to get them off your back.
What if the creditor continues to contact you?
If the creditor/debt collection agency still insists on contacting you, write a letter of complaint and send it to their head office. Make sure you send the letter by registered post.
You’d have to deal with the creditor or debt collector if it turns out you were the guarantor for someone else. In this instance, you may be liable for the money owed.
It happens when the creditor/debt collection agency hasn’t been able to catch up with the real debtor!
Moreover, when you have a joint credit agreement with someone, you’d be liable for paying what’s owed too!
Should you ignore debt letters for someone else?
No. It’s wiser to deal with the situation by mailing the letter back to the sender with ‘not known at this address’.
If you ignore things, you could be missing out on sorting a bad situation out once and for all! Moreover, chances are you’d get more annoying letters delivered to your address.
Plus, the creditor or debt collection agency could win a case in court. The result? Even if the debt isn’t yours, enforcement officers (bailiffs) could visit you at home!
Don’t let enforcement officers (bailiffs) into your home if they show up over a debt that’s not yours. Instead, talk to them through a slightly opened window or your letterbox!
You could opt to talk to the bailiffs outside your home but make sure you put a distance between them and your property!
Show them a utility invoice or council tax bill to make them go away if necessary! If a bailiff refuses to leave, file a complaint with their head office then lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Services!
An enforcement officer (bailiff) must leave when you ask them to. Moreover, they have no legal right to clamp your vehicle or seize any of your possession over a debt that’s not yours!
Who can you complain to?
You can file a complaint if you’re being harassed by a creditor or debt collection agency over a debt that’s not yours. You should:
Step 1
File a complaint with a financial services firm
Step 2
Lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Services
Lastly, I’m receiving debt collection letters for someone else
You should check all the details on a debt letter and then check your credit file when you get a letter about someone else’s debt!
If an entry is wrong in your credit file, ask the credit reference agency to remove it. Make sure you provide supporting proof!
Send the letter back to the sender and write the words ‘not known at this address’ across the envelope. It should stop any more unwanted debt letters from dropping through your letterbox.
You may be liable if a creditor or debt collection agency can prove you owe money as a guarantor for someone else. Or because you had a joint credit agreement with someone else!
In this instance, stay in contact with the creditor or debt collection agency and sort out an affordable payment plan. Seek advice from a debt charity if you’re worried about anything!
Thanks for reading my post. I hope the information helps you deal with the situation. Remember, you’re not the only person to ask, I’m receiving debt collection letters for someone else!
“It will only get worse” 😩
It’s cliché to say, but with debt it’s true; the longer you leave it, the worse the problem gets.
There are straightforward and effective ways to deal with debt, but you have to know your options.
Fill out the short form to find out about the debt solutions that could reduce your monthly payments or even write off some of your debt.
My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.
How to beat debt collectors 