Oh I forgot to add that I tried to check my CRA file but neither noddle nor experian managed to find me. Yet in 2010 I got a 24 months contract with Vodafone, and a couple of weeks ago I changed operators and got a new contract with T Mobile without any problem, so my guess is that the debt doesn't appear on my record for some reason.

Thanks all! I was on the phone with Orange just now, and I managed to extract from them that it was a monthly mobile plan that *someone* stopped paying. What was most distressing was to learn from them that the contract bore two names: mine and my mother's! We were never Orange customers. Is it possible that my ex, who was the account holder, phoned them up and changed her name to ours? I already know from herself that she gave Orange my name and a fake address in Beijing, but involving my mother! Even from her that's low. Does this situation qualify as fraud or identity theft? Orange then refused to give me any more details because CapQuest has purchased the debt. But can they really deny any responsibility if one of their phone operators has made the mistake of changing the name on the contract without my approval? Do you think that's why CapQuest is offering a discount? Because they have the original contract and they know it's not in my name and doesn't bear my signature? It doesn't look like any interest is accruing on the debt, but they threatened me of earning arrestment and I live on disability allowance so I'm worried...

Thank you, I won't worry too much about CapQuest then. Honestly, though, I don't think there has been identity theft. Back in 2008, I went to Orange with an ex partner to get her a mobile contract and used my card for the first upfront payment. Every subsequent monthly payment went through her account by direct debit. She then left abruptely and refused to pay any remaining rent or bill. Can I be held accountable if she suddenly stopped paying her contract too? I mean, I was unemployed at the time and unable to act as guarantor. Also, why didn't Orange try to find her if they are trying to recover her debt? I can only assume that this is the case because they won't talk to me over the phone or reply to my emails. Needless to say, she flatly refused to contact Orange to right the wrongs and threatens me if I give her name as the real debtor.

hello all! It started n October 21st 2011 when I received a letter from CapQuest informing me that they had purchased my debt from Orange of £175.65. The thing is, I don't acknowledge said debt because I have NEVER been an Orange customer! At first I ignored these letters, sent to my parents' adress, but when they mysteriously found out my new address earlier this year, I got worried and requested proof of the debt from CapQuest. (I also tried to contact Orange directly but, without an account number, they didn't want to talk to me). On March 12th 2012, CapQuest wrote to me that they were "in receipt of the statements requested" and went on to ask me to phone them up for security details confirmation. I did so immediately, only to hear that they weren't in receipt of anything from Orange, and that Orange would contact me directly, which they haven't to date. Next they threaten me on April 3rd with doorstep recovery agents who never turn up, and today May 7th they give me a deadline to pay either a discounted amount of £122.96 in one payment, or £140.52 in several instalments. After May20th, they threaten me of "earnings arrestment or attachment of [my] goods". Despite emailing Orange customer service and complaints handling in April, I still haven't heard back from them. What should I do now? I am thinking about contacting a financial ombudsman or waiting for CapQuest to take me to court, where they would have to prove that the debt is mine, which i deny. But I'd rather get rid of it all and get back to sleeping at night! Thanks a lot for your help!