How do debt collection agencies find you if you move house?

Question

My partner owes a small amount of money from about 6 years ago. i met him 2 years ago and he has moved house 3 times since then. We now live together and a debt collection agency has managed to track him now. He's agreed a payment plan but I'm intrigued as to how they managed to find him. He hasnt been on an electoral role for 5 years so it wasnt from that.

Answer 1

Generally when you move house, you tell people yourself..  You tell your bank, your phone company, sky tv, gas, electric, credit cards.. the list goes on.. When they update their records, they tell at least one (usually more) credit reference agencies - experian & equifax being the biggest (UK).

So when somebody wants to find you, they check with these guys for a start - looong before they resort to any sneaky stuff.

Answer 2

Here is a link that explains how skip tracers do their job, and how to beat them if you're willing to put in the effort.

http://consumers.creditnet.com/Discussio...

Answer 3

You are not the only one. I had debt and they couldnt get me to answer my phone. My sister who has a completely different last name and he house is in her boyfriends name and recieved a call looking to collect debt from me. Now mind you we havent lived in the same house ( my sister and I) in over 15 years. She was married in a different state. I have my married name. I have never put her name on any of my personal information. Oh and her phone is in her dead rabbits name. I still cant figure that one out.

Answer 4

First I would like to clarify one thing - a debt being out of SOL doesn't mean you don't owe it or that they can not continue to attempt to collect on it legally.  What it does mean is that if the sue you - and you go to court you can use out of SOL as a defense and they will not get a judgement against you.

Secondly,  a CA can legally request a copy of your credit report.  If you haven't done a clean up it probably lists every address you have ever lived at.  Giving the current address and phone number - sometimes even employer... Also, a CA can access public records and find names of people who have lived at those addresses.

Answer 5

They are really sneaky

asks friends and neighbors

check out people with same name

everything to get the money

Answer 6

Why did he set up a payment plan?  The SOL likely has expired if it is from 6 years ago.

When I moved a collection agency for an old debt found me.  I'm writing them a certified letter telling them to cease communications with me as the SOL has expired.  

They can still go after the debt, but they can't harass if you ask them to stop, and they can't get a judgement against you.

Answer 7

Hi Anon,

They would access other databases (illegally of course). Their main way is by name and date of birth.

If he has bought anything or done anything thats puts him on a data base at this address then that will be enough.

Strangely, I have moved twice this year and this morning received a debt letter from Orange, They have been chasing this amount (which I don't actually owe) for 3 years now.

It's a shame your partner contacted them and agreed a payment plan as they legally cannot collect a debt over 6 years old.

Answer 8

a debt from 6yrs ago shud be statue barred...they can try and get the money but have no chance afta 6yrs ..have ure bf sent them a CCA request letter?? this a letter asking for a copy of this credit agreement he will need to send a posal order for this for 1.00 pound  and must not sign the letter..just inital it..if they can not produce the original credit agreement then it becomes unenforcable in court..tell him to joi us at the consumeractiongroup/forum..plenty of help there and template letters for you to send ..all the best

Answer 9

I get a lot of calls from companys like that at home usually asking does miss X or mr Y live in the street - I tell them to get lost but I'm sure somepeople will pass on details - they could get details of address's from power companys , banks etc but they need confirmation before they act.

Answer 10

We have our ways !!

Answer 11

Driver's license databases are public information.  So is real estate tax data.  Telephone forwarding.  Postal service forwarding info.  If he borrowed or did any financial transactions from his new address.  Calling work (they aren't supposed to give away info, but collectors can be good actors and people like to be helpful.)  Calling old neighbors.

Answer 12

Someone may have snitched on him, credit card usage, mobile phone triangulation… these are just guesses.

Answer 13

Previous phone numbers, previous addresses, friends, relatives, and neighbors.  There are also databases--not illegal.  In a lot of cases, you can google information.  ***