[wilhil]

Easily... it's just a contract - anyone can contract a debt collector.

A reasonably one would require proof including the original contract, but, big companies like this are so automated, they have their processes down to an art.

It will pretty much be an export of unpaid debt gets sent to a collection agency. The collection agency will try to hound people as much as possible to pay.

People who don't pay may get taken to court and the debt collectors will either win by default, or, the person will show up, say they haven't been a customer and win with ease.

Also, any reasonable debt company would drop immediately upon sending proof, but, so do a lot of liars, so it's a hard one, but the law is on the customer's side.

[tialaramex]

In the UK collecting personal debt (from individuals not companies) requires a license which you'll lose if you harass people. No doorstepping, no calling employers or family, no 2am calls, nothing like that is permitted.

You maybe won't even need to show up for this bogus nonsense in court. If they've any sense lawyers for a firm that's clearly got a paperwork muddle will cancel the case, because unlike you if they show up with crap the judge may throw the book at them. As officers of the court they have a duty here which a lay person doesn't have to get all their paperwork straight. If they show up and the judge says well this seems like it's not even your customer - they may be in some real trouble. "The computer says" won't work on a judge.