The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is now receiving three times as many complaints about debt collectors as in the last twelve months. The complaints are usually about relentless hounding and harassment.

But, say the FOS, when they get involved matters usually get resolved very quickly. As soon as the debt collector knows that the spotlight is on them, it remarkably focuses their mind.

So if you are being harasses for a debt that’s not yours and have done all in your power to explain that, here are some tips:

• Contact the company that employed the debt collector that you are being harassed. Under the guidelines laid down by the Office of Fair Trading, the business that employs the debt collector can be held responsible for its behaviour.
• If you are being harasses, phone the local office of the Trading Standards. And if you are threatened, contact the police straight away.
• You should not be contacted at unreasonable hours. So take a note of the times you’re called, what is said, and the language they use.
• It is illegal for them to ask you to call them back on premium rate phone numbers.
• If you have already settled the debt, the debt collector must check that out. They cannot make unjustified payment demands.
• And if, despite everything, the debt collector continues to hound you, write to the FOS.