Letter before claim - debt collector attempt?

chris0147

Hi all,

Today I have received a letter before claim from csb solicitor as it said that I must pay £640 or they take me to court if I do not pay within 14 days.

Here is the letter:




Is the letter that I have received is come from a debt collector?

It looks like to me it is from a debt collector, because of the csb solicitor logo that I have had few letters from them before, there is no name of the solicitor who is acting behalf of the private parking company, I have no contract with them to sign on the form for credit agreement and I can see the bank sort code and account number at the back of the page, but I am not 100% sure if the letter is come from a debt collector or a real solicitor.

If it is from a debt collector, should I ignore it?

If it is from a real solicitor, what I should response?

Thanks in advance

SmellyMog

They do seem to be a firm of solicitors, even if a somewhat dubious one. However, being stated as a letter before claim does mean it is likely that at some point you will get claim form from the county court business centre. So, don't bin this.

Presumably you have received PCNs and other correspondence from LPS Ltd.?

Lamilad

This is a debt recovery letter. Csb are acting as debt recovery agents AFAIK they​ do not do small claims litigation.

However LPS do try court and for £640 i doubt they're just gonna get bored and leave you alone.

If you want further advice then you need to post more info such as how this charge came about, nature of the alleged parking infringements and previous communications between you and the PPC or their agents

DoaM

I can't see it on the letter - who/where does it tell you to pay?

Coupon-mad

The reference starting 'UCS' gives away that this is just a debt collection chaser, but I have seen CSB Solicitors try a claim before, here:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=102666&st=40

They dropped the claim once it was defended (I wrote the defence on that thread, posting as SRM).

safarmuk

The reference starting 'UCS' gives away that this is just a debt collection chaser, but I have seen CSB Solicitors try a claim before, here:

Quick question - how did you know UCS means its a debt collection chaser (is that just experience)?

Also this then essentially becomes a "fake" LBC (or perhaps scare tactics is a better word) is there not something fundamentally wrong (legally) with this behavior or in reality is it perfectly acceptable to chance your arm with a LBC to someone and not take it forward to a claim?

Lamilad

Quick question - how did you know UCS means its a debt collection chaser (is that just experience)?

https://bmpa.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207596465-CSB-Solicitors

Coupon-mad

UCS are a known debt collector; I've heard the acronym before so spotted it in the 'reference'.

safarmuk

UCS are a known debt collector; I've heard the acronym before so spotted it in the 'reference'.

Agreee, I can see it from Lamilad's link to the BMPA website, which makes it very clear to the OP so thanks both.

However with Debt Collectors now sending out LBCs that they cannot follow through on it makes this much worse for the ordinary Joe Public. This is speculative again. Is there no restriction or obligation on sending out LBCs and then not following them up?

yotmon

I suppose anyone can 'threaten' to take someone to court, but does not have to carry out that threat.

The_Deep

I suppose one can always complain to the SRA.