debt collectors keep calling

[lilynmax]

I have recently received two messages on my old mobile from a company called Buchanan, Clark and Wells telling me to contact them urgently - I saw on the net that they are debt collectors and am now a little concerned. I have never had any debt in my life and always paid everything on time, the only thing I have ever owed was my mortgage, again, always paid on time. Since they are leaving messages on my old phone I am wondering why they are contacting me now, but don't really want to call them as I have heard they are a pretty awful. If I call them do I have to tell them anything if I feel they are mistaken?Any advice greatly appreciated!!

[Ethel]

Do not telephone them.

Any properly conducted company would contact you by letter to your home address and maybe by landline telephone, not a mobile phone.

Are they leaving messages to you personally, giving your name?

You may consider buying a copy of your credit record - this company uses Equifax - to see if there is any adverse credit against you.
You can apply on line. It costs �15, but could give you information you need to set your mind at rest.

http://www.equifax.co.uk/

Also, if there is a mistake, you can get it rectified.

If you have a male friend, get him to ring the number asking why they are leaving messages on his telephone. After all, you could have lost or sold the phone at any time.

Good luck!

[jennyp]

They are probably fishing. This is something DCA do to see if you take the bait. I wouldn't bother doing anything, but I would do a Credit check on Experian.

[lilynmax]

What's DCA?

[Pharlap]

lilynmax DCA = Debt Collection Agency. Take the advise given

[LegallyAware]

DCA have to operate within the boundaries set out by the laws of the relevant country.
Most DCA are instructed when the creditor has exhusted all options and as a result the details that they receive in most cases are out of date. The details they recieve they will start with the most obvious method which is by telephone they will also use other methods of contacting you via letter and if unsuccessful they will then resort to trace technics.
Rules and adherance to the Data Protection Act must be followed, access to public records for example electoral registers doesnt breach DPA nor does directory enquiries.
As most DCA are registered to the DPA they will have access to and are allowed to use information from serveral sources i.e. credit reference agencies and the original creditor. This will enable then to track you down.
Avoiding the issue will not make it disappear. It just further justifies the assertiveness of the Debt Collector as they would assume you are attempting to avoid paying your debt.
After making payment you can write to experian or equifax with an explanation as to how this occurred and that it is not how you normally manage your financies and that this instance of failure to pay should not be marked against you on future credit applications.

[lilynmax]

thanks LegallyAware, but as I said before I have never owed a thing in my life! I got a credit report from Equifax and it's all absolutley perfect, not even one late payment. I am beginning to wonder if it's all a scam since I haven't actually heard anymore from them since I first posted here. I'm just going to forget about it for now, and if I hear anything further I'll head down to the CAB.
Thanks though!!