Solicitor's Letter sent repeatedly to the wrong address

skallywag

I have been receiving letters from a solicitor (via email) meant for someone else, i.e. someone who has the exact same name as myself. This started about two years ago, I have received four of them in the meantime. The topic is always the same, i.e. concerned with an outstanding debt, with the latest threatening a court appearance with the associated costs, etc.

On receiving the first letter I replied simply saying that you have the wrong email address etc. please check. On receiving the second a few months later I did the same, referencing the first email. On receiving the third I started to become a bit pissed off so called them up. I explained that they were sending this to the wrong person. Their response was you have an outstanding debt of x which must be paid etc. I countered with 'no, perhaps you did not hear me, I am not the person in question, I have the same name but you have sent this to the wrong address, I think you have made a mistake with the email address'. To which the answer was 'You have an outstanding debt with company x blah'. At this stage my patience wandered and I made it clear in no uncertain terms that they had the wrong person. It seems to have had an effect as I received an email afterwards offering an apology, and promising it would not happen again.

Which all worked out well. Until today, when another one arrived, this time with extremely aggressive language, threatening this that and the other.

So, I am just wondering how common this is? Has anyone experienced the same? I fully understand mistakes happen with email addresses etc, but at this stage it's starting to piss me off.

Peatys

This is a scam.

https://www.expertmarket.co.uk/collection-agencies/how-to-avoid-uk-debt-collection-agency-scams

skallywag

It's not, it's completely authentic.

I also receive other email meant for this same guy from time to time.

I will name the firm if that is allowed?

Henry Ford III

Delete them and block the sender.

lawred2

Letters by email from a solicitor?

Real solicitors don't use email for such correspondence.

is_that_so

skallywag wrote: »

It's not, it's completely authentic.

I also receive other email meant for this same guy from time to time.

That email thing sounds bizarre TBH. How does it only happen from time to time?

Meanwhile contact FLAC. https://www.flac.ie/help/ or go to a Citizen's Information Centre. Some of them will give you free legal advice.

skallywag

lawred2 wrote: »

Real solicitors don't use email for such correspondence.

That occurred to me. This firm is in the UK, in case that makes any difference.

JeffKenna

Have you googled them?

skallywag

is_that_so wrote: »

Meanwhile contact FLAC. https://www.flac.ie/help/ or go to a Citizen's Information Centre. Some of them will give you free legal advice.

Thanks.

It is very clear I am not the person in question as the address which is mentioned is at a place that I have never even been to, never mind lived at. It's just becoming a nuisance now.

rock22

You should inform the data commissioner

skallywag

JeffKenna wrote: »

Have you googled them?

Yes, and called the person who sent it to me at the number in the email. I spoke to them. They appear to be legit. I'll name them no issue if the rules allow, or even upload the letter.

FishOnABike

If both you and the solicitor are based in Ireland I would reply informing them that you hae previously notified them that they are sending their emails on the matter to the wrong email address, they have previously acknowledged and apologised for their error in doing so and gave an undertaking that it would not happen again.

I would further advise them that should they contact you again regarding the matter, other than to once again apologise for their error and undertake not to contact you again that you will both make a complaint to the Gardaí for harrassment and to the Law Society for harrassment and for repeatedly disclosing confidentiial third party information to you despite being repeatedly informed thay were emailing the wrong person.

EDIT: Just saw the solicitor is UK based - not sure what their equivalent of the Law Society is but you should probably threaten to complain to them both for repeatedly harrassing you and for disclosing confidentiial third party information to you despite being repeatedly informed thay were emailing the wrong person and having previously acknowledged and apologised for such.

skallywag

FishOnABike wrote: »

If both you and the solicitor are based in Ireland ....

Nope, they are in the UK and I'm not currently living in Ireland.

STB.

skallywag wrote: »

Nope, they are in the UK and I'm not currently living in Ireland.

Is this a gmail account ?

EMAIL = SPAM


STOP responding and forget about it.

skallywag

No, it is not a gmail account.

The mails are coming from the official accounts. The names correspond to real staff, as named on their website, and I have also called the number on their website and spoken in person to these people.

I am 100% sure that this is not a scam.

STB.

skallywag wrote: »

No, it is not a gmail account.
.

Your account. Is your account a Gmail address?

Ignore them either way. Legitimate companies do not chase people for money by email. They need an corresponding address to chase.

I'd also suggest you stop ringing UK numbers from unsolicited correspondence. They could be premium numbers for all you know.

Place domain of solicitors into the following https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx
Is it blacklisted?

kyler_87

lawred2 wrote: »

Letters by email from a solicitor?

Real solicitors don't use email for such correspondence.

All letters I am currently receiving from my solicitor are coming via email (pdf attachment with postal address on it).

JeffKenna

kyler_87 wrote: »

All letters I am currently receiving from my solicitor are coming via email (pdf attachment with postal address on it).

I presume the postal address is incorrect? Why not just mark the e-mail as spam and forget about it. Hardly worth getting uptight about it.