How do I stop BT from sending bills to my house for previous residents.

[eagleowl1]

Hi for three years we have been sending them back with not known at this address or moved away or return to sender or all three written on the envelopes.  We have crossed through the orange bar code.  We have phoned bt but they won't talk to us as we are not the account holder.  

We have the bailiff turn up regularly for the previous owners and have to keep our ID and proof of when we moved in to hand 

What else can I do? 

[Kimberlin]

@eagleowl1  Have you asked the bailiffs when they turn up at your home why it isn’t they haven’t informed BT that the previous home owners no longer live there? If the bailiff leaves every single time content that you are not responsible for the debt, then that ultimately is a failure on their part for not reporting that information back to BT and that could be construed as unprofessional behaviour. Report the bailiff:

https://enforcementconductboard.org/making-a-complaint/

Basically, next time a bailiff arrives on your doorstep, make sure you know which company they work for. Insist on the name of the bailiff attending. Inform the bailiff that you will report the company to the appropriate ombudsman and if necessary, report them to the police for harassment and intimidation (but good luck with that!). Make sure you also get the registration number of the vehicle the bailiff is driving. Under no circumstances let a bailiff into your home unless they have certified paperwork from the Courts or the police are present. Always remain calm and polite.

Check your credit file with the 3 main credit reference agencies and appeal if there are any markers against your property.

[andydenyer]

@Kimberlin There won't be any markers against a property as credit scores are linked to individuals, not addresses.

[eagleowl1]

Thank you -  the Baliff's aren't the issue, they are only doing their job and are very polite when I show them the proof.-   I just need BT to acknowledge that these people don't live here and update their systems to stop sending me the bills. 

[Kimberlin]

@eagleowl1  The problem is BT won’t acknowledge it. Once they’ve passed it to the bailiff they’ve effectively sold the debt on, they won’t want to know. Sometimes you have to literally turn this back onto the bailiffs and pursue them, basically be a pain and effectively harass them. It’s an entirely civil matter, the police obviously won’t be interested unless the bailiffs do something illegal. I had a close family member in a similar situation who just couldn’t get through to the company pursuing them. In the end they just invited them to take them to Court. The matter went to Magistrates and it was thrown out because the debt wasn’t against the correct person(s).

@andydenyer  Yes, appreciate what you stated is correct, it was merely a slip up on my part, I’m fully aware credit files are linked to people not property.

[Kimberlin]

@eagleowl1  Just to follow up on this. Information from Citizens Advice here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/action-your-creditor-can-take/bailiffs/stopping-bai...

Be clear, BT will undoubtedly have 'sold' the debt on. This harassment from either bailiffs who clearly do have enforceable powers, (or debt collectors, who by the way have absolutely no legal powers whatsoever and should not even be engaged with) will likely not stop unless YOU take action.

First step really is, insist on a 'Prove it' letter from the bailiff or agency harassing you:

https://nationaldebtline.org/get-information/sample-letters/complaining-to-debt-collection-agencies-...

Alongside that, submit a formal complaint using the Communications Ombudsman:

https://www.commsombudsman.org/

If you haven't already, you should also submit a formal complaint via BT's complaints procedure or directly to their Executive Complaints team with a copy of the template letter.

You can solve this but it might be hard work on your part. Remember, you're dealing with organisations who will not care about you or what their actions are doing to your general well being. It's worth stressing in any communication you send, how much the harassment is affecting your 'mental health'.

Worth pointing out too, if you are clearly not the debtor and this still results in the Company or the debt enforcement agency taking you to Court, if found in your favour, they will potentially be liable for all costs involved. Make sure any communication you send is sent via Special Delivery or delivered personally by hand and signed for by a Manager or employee of the company.

Good luck.

[gg30340]

The next time that the bailiffs call at your house ask them who the Debt Collection Agency they are acting on behalf of is and then contact them and advise them that the property is no longer occupied by the debtor and that they should no longer call at you property in pursuance of the debt which if the do you will treat that has harassment and pursue that with a formal complaint.

[Katie_J]

Hi @eagleowl1. 

Thanks for coming here and bringing this to our attention.

I have sent you a private message to gather some more information. 

Katie