Any debt collectors or those dealing with debt transatlantically?

Hello! My dad just forwarded a debt collector's letter to me. The debt was accrued a year or so ago. Obviously it wasn't made by me as I've been in the UK for over 8 years. I also fill out any kind of paperwork with my full 'formal' name, and this letter is addressed to my nickname. I kinda have a sneaking suspicion it was made by my brother who now no longer lives there (he's sorta known for doing these things). I could afford to pay it, but it's the principle of course. What can I send them to prove I am no longer in the US??

I would work through a Credit Bureau, not via the debt collector if it were me personally. You can contact them, even in writing and they are required to research any item you dispute and either prove it is yours or remove it. They can tell you exactly what is required to prove anything to them, most often they take you at your word and the company holding the debt has to prove that you are indeed the correct person. There are different Credit reporting agencies, so it may appear on more than one agency's report but normally when it goes from one, you can request the company to remove it from all agencies they have reported it to in error.

I used to work for a Credit Bureau, but granted it was a few years back so things may have changed. But this was what I used to do for people... work on disputed accounts.

I worked in debt collection in the states. What you need to do first is write a letter of dispute. Tell them that you have lived in UK for x amount of years and theres no way you could have made the debt. Tell them you are disputing the charges on the account. After they receive it call them and tell them you want to speak to the fraud department,that department will tell you everything you need to do.

Thank you for the great advice!

Great Advice!
My wife has some credit issues in the states from her previous marriage.
When we get the collection notices, she sends them a letter asking for proof of the debt. Then reminds them, if they can't provide proof the collection must stop.
You would not believe how many things she has had removed.

Let's say you do owe the debt?
Send them letters contesting it and file regular disputes with all three credit bureaus.
Last, some debts won't easily fall off and end up proving to be valid. Sad to say you got to just wait them out, then contest them some more.
Okay, you have a collection letter, do you pay it? Answer - Do NOT pay them!
Why? Let's say you pay a bad, past due debt. The debt and it's rating will still stay on your credit report. It may say paid, But - It does not increase your credit score. Creditors don't look to see if it is paid, they look solely at the score.
Another thing, she had one debt in particular with Capital One. A credit collection agency offered her a deal to pay half and they will call it all paid. So we did, but the Capital One debt status NEVER changed. Only the collection agency one indicated paid.
What a rip off, a paid off debt should say paid. - So we contested stating we paid it off through the collection agency. No change in status. Now we have to wait for it to fall off too.

Hope this helps and Best of Luck!

Wow - thanks for the insight and advice Carson! I actually received another letter from them today saying they were investigating my dispute, so I'll wait and see what happens. Cheers!!