Letter from MIB claiming we owe them £6.5K

Diamonds_2

Right, I've got the paper work now (I couldn't find it until just now)... I have 2 documents.

One is from the MIB stating that my BF was involved in an accident (!) on the 6.4.03 and that the claiment sufferered loss and damage totalling £6383.59 including interest. It say's it believes my BF was driving without insurance (!!!) which is a criminal offense and the MIB has had to pay the claimant this money. It say's that the debt has been passed to Close Credit Management and to deal with them direct.


The second document is from Close Credit Management saying exactly the same as the above (looks almost identical in wording) then at the bottom it say's that payment is due immediately and that it's reached a critical stage.

These two documents were sent together in the same envelope.

My only reassurance at this stage is what esmerobbo has said in that it's over 6 years old so don't do anything?

esmerobbo

Diamonds wrote: »

My only reassurance at this stage is what esmerobbo has said in that it's over 6 years old so don't do anything?

That's correct but the date of the debt becoming payable and the date of the accident will not be the same. It is the debt that needs to be outside the limitation.

Diamonds_2

esmerobbo wrote: »

That's correct but the date of the debt becoming payable and the date of the accident will not be the same. It is the debt that needs to be outside the limitation.

Well seeing as we know nothing about this so called accident, we won't know when the claim was made or paid.. it doesn't say on either document when they settled this amount. I find it unbelievable how money is just paid out willy nilly without even trying to contact the registered owner of the vehicle that supposedly drove negligently or without insurance.. I mean.. how mad is that?!

OK so now where do we go from here? do we go to a solicitor or citizens advice or sit tight? when they called on Friday they were very 'off' with my partner, to the point where we were left worrying all weekend and unable to relax.

spiro

Diamonds wrote: »

OK so now where do we go from here? do we go to a solicitor or citizens advice or sit tight? when they called on Friday they were very 'off' with my partner, to the point where we were left worrying all weekend and unable to relax.

You need to check if you still have the acknowledgement letter from the DVLA thats states that you have received notification that you sold the car. If you have this and the date is before the date of the accident send them a copy and tell them to p**s off. If the date is before the date of the accident, see a solicitor. If you cant find the letter, try contacting the DVLA and see if they can tell you the date you sold the car. If they wont or cant see a solicitor.

I would also contact the MIB requesting full details of the accident. This may help if it was say in Scotland and you live in Cornwall and have never been to Scotland.

Diamonds_2

spiro wrote: »

You need to check if you still have the acknowledgement letter from the DVLA thats states that you have received notification that you sold the car. If you have this and the date is before the date of the accident send them a copy and tell them to p**s off. If the date is before the date of the accident, see a solicitor. If you cant find the letter, try contacting the DVLA and see if they can tell you the date you sold the car. If they wont or cant see a solicitor.

I would also contact the MIB requesting full details of the accident. This may help if it was say in Scotland and you live in Cornwall and have never been to Scotland.

We sold that particular car to a friend, so we are assuming we were still the owners of it at the time of the 'accident'.

I think I will get my OH to ring the MIB and ask for the details like you suggest. It actually say's on the letter from the MIB that if he had insurance at the time of the 'accident' then send the policy number/details... so I am thinking that if he goes to his old bank and get's those details then we're covered? even though it enrages me that we are being put through all this for no reason! still, there are worse scams I suppose.

rev_henry

Well, I'd go to the Citizens Advice over a solicitor initially as its free. Have you actually contacted the MIB to ask if this accident/claim is a work of fiction or not? If so then ignore. If not then contact DVLA to see if you were RK at the time. Don't worry about a CCJ for now. To have one issued against you they must first raise a claim at court, which they must then win, and you must fail to pay. And of course none of that will happen without you getting loads of paperwork about it.

You might want to contact these people also:
http://www.insurancefraudbureau.org/

rev_henry

Diamonds wrote: »

We sold that particular car to a friend, so we are assuming we were still the owners of it at the time of the 'accident'.

I think I will get my OH to ring the MIB and ask for the details like you suggest. It actually say's on the letter from the MIB that if he had insurance at the time of the 'accident' then send the policy number/details... so I am thinking that if he goes to his old bank and get's those details then we're covered? even though it enrages me that we are being put through all this for no reason! still, there are worse scams I suppose.

If that does happen, then it won't make any difference to your premiums because you don't declare them past 5 years haha. Something about all this doesn't add up. If they really are the MIB, then they have records of everyone's insurance details because that's one part of what they're there for!

Diamonds_2

rev_henry wrote: »

If that does happen, then it won't make any difference to your premiums because you don't declare them past 5 years haha. Something about all this doesn't add up. If they really are the MIB, then they have records of everyone's insurance details because that's one part of what they're there for!

Well if that's the case then why the hell didn't they contact us? our insurance? My OH is MOT tester and he said everything went computerised after 2003 so maybe things weren't easily available to the MIB? or whoever?

Diamonds_2

rev_henry wrote: »

Well, I'd go to the Citizens Advice over a solicitor initially as its free. Have you actually contacted the MIB to ask if this accident/claim is a work of fiction or not? If so then ignore. If not then contact DVLA to see if you were RK at the time. Don't worry about a CCJ for now. To have one issued against you they must first raise a claim at court, which they must then win, and you must fail to pay. And of course none of that will happen without you getting loads of paperwork about it.

You might want to contact these people also:
http://www.insurancefraudbureau.org/

Thankyou. All advice is gratefully received.

rev_henry

Diamonds wrote: »

Well if that's the case then why the hell didn't they contact us? our insurance? My OH is MOT tester and he said everything went computerised after 2003 so maybe things weren't easily available to the MIB? or whoever?

Exactly, it doesn't make sense. Hmm I think that was only MOTs. Not sure when the insurance database came into being. Just make sure you do not admit liability for the debt, so the statute of limitations still exists.
E.g. you owe someone some money from 7 years ago, they contact you and you say yes I know but I'm not paying it or whatever, that would reset the clock on the 6 years statute, I think.