How to find out if someone has applied for a CCJ against me

Atlasconfused

Hi guys,

I spent some time reading through this forum and finding some great information. Thanks for the good work!

Now, to my question:

Just checked my credit report for the first time today, and noticed that I have a defaulted account. The account, which I believed that I had settled is with Orange. However, apparently, I had missed something and Orange passed the debt on to Lowell back in 2013.

I moved abroad for work in 2013, and have been away ever since. Planning to return to the UK in 2020.

The default date is July 2013, so, to my understanding about to come off my credit report in 3 months... However, after reading a bunch of threads on here, I am becoming increasingly worried that Lowell can if they so decide apply for a JJC against me (as they still have 3 months to do so). Now the issue is that they have my old UK address, so if they did this I would not find out...

My question is simple, is there any way I can find out if someone is applying a CCJ against me?

Thankful for any help with this

WhenIam64

Lowell would contact a Court bulk centre like Northampton and use the last known address as required by the Civil Procedure rules

https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part06#6.9

So you could keep phoning Northampton (https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/northampton-county-court-business-centre) to ask if there has been a claim issue to you at the last address you think they have.

As an alternative, you could send the prove it letter to Lowell giving your new address and indicate that is the one they should use, should they intend to take any legal steps.

The prove it letter is a useful first step to remove some of your worry.

Atlasconfused

Thank you WhenIam 64

How about calling Lowell? Any point?

The letter, I guess is a good idea, still I don't want to wake a sleeping bear. Part of me wants to think that Lowell has 'forgotten' this.

Atlasconfused

Also, if I send them a letter do I somehow 'acknowledge' the debt?

Atlasconfused

Hi again

Calling Northampton was a good idea... I did this, only t o find out that they cannot find any information without a reference number, which one receives once someone applies CCJ against you..
And this, of course I don't have, as I don't know whether Lowell has applied for a CCJ...

Willing2Learn

Send the 'prove it' letter to Lowell so that you get the evidence of the account. When Lowell are getting the evidence for you, I believe they must suspend any steps it takes in the recovery of a debt.

Atlasconfused

Aha! This is great advice.

Any chance you guys know where I can find a sample letter for thee 'prove it' letter?

Willing2Learn

Here is a link for the MSE sample letter template:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter

Atlasconfused

Great Thank you!

Now, I don't have a account or reference number for Lowell.
Any chance you guys know where I could find this?
On my credit report perhaps?

Willing2Learn

According to Lowell website they state:

… information including details of the original company, the original reference number and the balance of your account can also be found on any of our letters.
If you don’t have this information, you can speak to our team on 0333 556 5550

I normally advise people not to ring a DCA. In this instance you must remember that you are only seeking a reference number so that you can send them a letter. Don't end up being press-ganged into making a payment. You are asking for evidence of the account. That is all.

Atlasconfused

Are you sure I'm not risking anything by calling them. After all, the default is 5 years and 9 months old, and should disappear in 3 months...

Im thinking, perhaps if I call them they will 're active the account'?

Can this be or am I being overly worried?