Threatening & unexpected letter from Controlaccount

JakeHandle

Hi all

I'm new to the forum and was hoping I could get some advice about responding to a threatening letter from a company called Controlaccount.

I've searched the forums before posting and found a lot of good advice about dealing with this company, but it relates mainly to car park fines, and mine is a bit different, so I just wanted to check my approach should be the same.

In short, Controlaccount have sent me a letter they describe as a "letter before claim", although they don't seem to be a solicitor.

They state they are acting on behalf of FedEx, who want £38 from me. Now, I've never had any bills that I know of from FedEx, but I do occasionally buy things from abroad so it's not impossible I've missed something like a customs charge.

The problem is that when I call FedEx the reference number on the Controlaccount letter means nothing to them, and as neither of us know what started this we can't track down the source of the claim.

I'd be grateful for any advice on how best to proceed. I've found really good sample letters elsewhere on the site which essentially say "prove I owe this or go away" - could somebody with a little more experience than me confirm this is the right way to proceed?

Thanks for your help!
Jake

unholyangel

I was just about to say, write to them asking them to prove the debt belongs to you and is owed, then I got to your last paragraph

As for the letter before claim/letter before action.....anyone can send one of these. You do not have to be a solicitor or have any legal training at all. Its merely a notice stating your intentions and making them aware this may be their last opportunity to settle without incurring additional costs.

Also worthwhile to note that a letter before action does not guarantee they will take you to court. For small amounts raising a claim can be negligible.

I'm by no means saying ignore it, they wont take you to court. Just clarifying what I said previously, that not everyone proceeds to court after sending one.

bod1467

Control Account are debt collectors with no legal right to take you to court; only the principal (FedEx) can do so.