General Chat

Thank you all, for your help and advice. Angela

I know you are not supposed to open the mail, to be honest they were opened in error to start with. Then I started sending them back with not known at this address etc, then with a letter from me, and most recently I've been opening them to gather evidence to take things further. I don't want my address linked with any possible fraud. Its just getting beyond a joke now. I've even written to BBC Watchdog but to no avail. Thought they might have been interested being a government body, data protection and fraud etc.

I believe that you are not supposed to open mail that is addressed to another person even if it has your address on it. I think it is supposed to be returned to the post office. I scribble out the address on the envelope and write 'not know at this address' or 'return to sender' on it, then stick it in the post box. They are supposed to return it. It really shouldn't be your problem. As for debt colllectors, just tell them that you are not the person that they are looking for and know nothing about them. I once had a debt collector come round for a person who used to live here. He wasn't the big muscle bound bruiser that I would have expected. He was a little skinny bloke in shorts, riding a mountain bike. :-))))))))))))))))))))

Angela H I'd suggest talking to your local Citizens Advice on the loan issue. I'm not sure how the loan company got your new address if you've moved but if they can't prove you are the person who took out the loan then I don't see that debt collectors can do anything if they turn up at your door. But talking to Citizens Advice might reassure you. They maybe will suggest that you send a letter to the company by recorded delivery stating that this matter has nothing to do with you and asking them to stop hassling you. But ask them and see. Angela

Mandy Will send you a PM shortly with details. Maybe I will let the poice know too to cover my back. Maybe a letter to Tony Blair aswell, mind you I dont know what that will achieve........ damed government. Oh and just to make things worse, I also receive letters from a loan company for the people that bought my old house 5 minutes round the corner. Letter being sent out cause they are defaulting on their payments. Also made call to that company but again they still keep coming. I'm worried that the debt collectors will call......... any suggestions?

Angela H Make sure you record when/how you've contacted HMRC (which is what the Inland Revenue is called these days) about this. There are some people out there who try to claim tax credits using false information. If you can readily show you've nothing to do with these people and have reported the problem, then if there is something underhand going on and anyone looks into it in future you're covered!!! PS - if you've told HMRC (Inland Revenue) the National Insurance numbers of those people who they've written to they will have enough information to track them down if they exist. Angela in Kent

Wonder if someone like the police would have access to files that can find them through NI numbers (you'd think they would for fraud cases) ............. that would also cover your back if you had already informed them before someone realises it's gone astray............... :-))))))))))))))))))))))

Angela That is terrible! It's bad enough that it happened in the first place, but seeing that you've gone to the trouble of actually telling them they've made a mistake, it's even worse! I do have the latest electoral roll on disc (plus last year's and the 2002/03) so if it would help to try and locate them, just send me a PM with the details. Mandy

I've done some searches but can't find them. The strange thing is the office dealing with these letters is in another county to me too. I can't believe that they have not noticed they are not getting mail from them. Its all to do with family credits etc, they have obviously supplied the revenue with info in the first place. Don't know what else to do.

I retired in December and recently received a letter from the Inland Revenue asking for all the details of my Pension. I refused to give it and referred them to the Pension Service who are another arm of our beloved Government and already have the info on file. Surely in this age of deceit and deception there is a Government Dept where all our personal info is collated. It's no use denying it Mr Prime Minister because I wouldn't believe you. The Data Protection Act which is usually quoted in such cases is laughable.

Or someone could open a bank account in their name and cash the cheque!!!!!!!!! Do you have any idea of their address, are they in the phone book (or do a birth search on the man LOL)............ they are probably ripping their hair out about the lost cheque!

See earlier thread on DVLA and compare to my story on Inland Revenue. I've lived in my house just over 2 years now, it was brand new and no one had lived here previously. SInce moving in I've been receiving letters from them to a Mr & Mrs X. These letters contain their full names, full bank details, dates of birth, national insurance numbers and their income. I've sent the letters back with a letter from me, made several call to the revenue but they still keep coming. Just 3 days ago another letter arrived with a cheque for £500, I can't believe it. If these letters were to fall into the wrong hands with the information enclosed loans could be applied for and who knows what else. Angela