A pensioner in Yekaterinburg is battling to clear his name after being wrongly pursued for the debts of a namesake in Pskov. The situation has persisted for six years, with repeated attempts to rectify the error proving unsuccessful.

The ordeal began when funds were unexpectedly deducted from the pensioner’s account to cover housing and utility debts. The debt originated in Pskov, a city where the Yekaterinburg resident has never lived and owns no property.

Despite initial acknowledgment of the error by bailiffs, who returned the wrongly debited funds, the issue resurfaced in 2023. Further deductions were made from the pensioner’s account, again to settle the debt of his namesake.

The Federal Bailiff Service (FSSP) has cited the accuracy of personal data in the court decision as a barrier to resolving the issue. The FSSP claims they are unable to reverse the deductions due to the comprehensive personal information of the “debtor” included in the court order.

State Duma deputy Maxim Ivanov, who is assisting the pensioner, suspects that a data mix-up by the local water utility is to blame. Ivanov believes the utility erroneously merged the personal details of the Yekaterinburg resident with those of his namesake in Pskov.

Ivanov has submitted a formal request to supervisory authorities, expressing confidence in his ability to resolve the situation and free the pensioner from the unjust debt burden. The deputy is actively working to ensure the pensioner is no longer held responsible for the financial obligations of another individual.