Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit card

[scoops]

Hello, I hope you can help me.

My son, who lived with us for his last two months, died 8 months ago. A letter from a debt collection agency addressed to my son has just arrived saying they want payment for his Nat West credit card in the next 7 days or they will take him to court.

I know my son had a hsbc credit card but I was totally unaware of a Nat West credit card.

How do I know this is not a scam?
Why has the bank itself never written?
Why has it taken this agency so long to write?
More importantly, what should I do?

Thank you

[Curlyben]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

I'm sorry for your lose in all of this.
There really is only one thing to do.
That would be return any letters unopened with Not Known.

The DCA in question cannot take any further action anyway.
Which DCA is it ?

[scoops]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I can really do that legally?

[Curlyben]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

Technically you are already breaking the law by opening a letter that is not addressed to you anyway. Don't worry about that though.
Debts, especially of this nature, are a personal thing and cease to be collectable once the debtor passes on.

They threaten all sort of things, but are basically toothless harassment merchants.

[scoops]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer me.

[Curlyben]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

Never a problem.
I have a well known dislike for DCA's and their tactics..

[Guest]

Re: Threatening letter from debt collection agency re my dead son's Nat West credit c

Although not identical to this situation, please take a look at this thread, where something similar happened.

Phillips Cohen Associates Ltd - Legal Beagles