CCS Collect - Notice of Intended Legal Action! Help!

ricoeliso

Hi all,

So i have recently started receiving letters through the post from a company called CCS Collect claiming that I owe money to them on behalf of The Department of Work and Pension for £97.50.

Thing is, I have no idea what this is for. The letters gives no explanation, they only abruptly demand that i pay it or face legal action. Quick search shows that the department of Work and Pension is government related. I pay all my taxes, National Insurance etc through PAYE and have no other dealings with the HMRC. The only thing i can think of is that i was on Job Seekers Allowance when i first came out of university 8 years ago and when i found work the gov. continued paying me it for a short while. i phoned them about it (telling them to stop!) and they advised me that the over payment would just be deducted from next time i stop work and start claiming again - which i never have. But i can't even remember if the over payment equates to the same amount.

Questions:

1. should i contact CCS Collect at all? the most recent letter has given a settlement due date and has said i will otherwise be taken to court (and face additional legal fees). however if i contact them am i acknowledging receipt?
2. Is there anyway i can find out what this debt is without contacting them?
3. Is a debt 8 years old (if it is related to the Job Seekers Allowance) even enforceable?
4. Does anyone know if i have any legal grounds on which i can avoid paying?

I'm an honest, law abiding citizen so i am very begrudged to hand over money to these cowboys.

Any thoughts and comments appreciated.

fatbelly

It sounds likely that it is the overpayment of JSA from 8 years ago.

They are unlikely to seek a county court judgement on this because: (1) you have a defence in that it is statute barred. You have not acknowledged the debt by payment or in writing for over 6 years; (2) they have other ways of enforcing this.

What you were told many years ago is correct - the next time you claim a state benefit, they can deduct this - if necessary from your state pension! However, they now also have another method - if you work (for an employer with 10 or more employees) they can apply for a Direct Earnings Attachment.

It sounds like you could pay this but you are not sure that it is genuine, which is understandable if ccs have not explained what it is. Typical dca.

I'd suggest as a first step send a prove-it, then if it is the old jsa debt send a statute barred letter and suggest they write it off:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=62028899&postcount=15

sourcrates

Advice above spot on, the DCA dosent have a leg to stand on, however the DWP can chase you forever, virtually, for this money, so I would suggest contacting them directly and sorting this once and for all.