What identification is needed by law?

The best thing to do I think would be to get hold of your credit report. You can access these online for about £10 or you can order it by post for the statutory fee - I think it is £3

The main company is Experian, Equifax and CallCrecredit - have a look at this post:
Accessing your Credit File | Consumer Information

Good luck

Tony

Another alternative would be to send the company a Subject Access Request under the data protection act, they must provide you with all the information they hold on file, you can send this to the original creditor or to the DCA if they have bought the debt.

The information they send should include the application and all statements of account,they have 40 days to provide this info,

You may receive the information requested or you may never hear from them again but you need to complain to the ICO (Information Commissioner) if they don't respond because they are breaking the law.

Depending on the type of contract, you can also request a copy of your signed credit agreement under the Consumer Credit Act, I think that one costs a quid.

Always send your letters recorded delivery!!!

Good point Witch Consumer, I think they can charge a £10 fee for a subject access request.

Though I am not sure about complaining to the ICO - they are pretty toothless.

I think the fact that companies cannot produce signed credit agreements has led to them being unenforceable and the debt not having to be paid back.

Tony

Yeah thanks Tony, there is a statutory £10 payment for a AR letter, Bigdog if you need a standard letter, I have one, just give me a shout.

As far as the ICO are concerned, yes they are pretty toothless but this is one of the complaints they deal with efficiently (probably through so much experience) and results in a nice fine for the company.

I have a bit of a problem with unenforceable debts from CCA requests because I think the issue has now been dealt with by a court and personally I don't agree with squirming out of a debt you know you owe, although Bigdogs case is obviously different and the debt has to be proved. I've heard some pretty awful stories about debt collectors using current occupiers to collect others debts or even making up info if they don't have it to hand!!!

Just a thought the debt could be a parking ticket or a library fine that would not show up on your credit rating report.

If you know the name of the company you can do a Subject Access Request, as Witch Consumer suggests, asking to see every e-mail, and letter about you and your case. They can only charge a maximum of £10 for this.

There is a form you can complete on the OFT's website if you want to complain about debt collectors:

The Office of Fair Trading: Debt collection practices

I hope this helps

Tony