Getting satisfied ccj removed

On Friday I discovered I had a ccj when checking my Experian account which I’d just created.

I had a ccj and investigated this morning. It was a debt to Lowell and it was for 305 pounds. It was a mix of an old mobile contract and a broadband contract I defaulted on.

They had sent the letter of claim to an old address. My other creditors found me immediately when I moved so I just forgot about it but they had sent me letters at my old address and I didn’t tell them I moved. I figure the amounts would hold them off action as I have larger debts that left me alone until I started paying them off recently. 

I called and paid immediately to at least get it shown as satisfied ASAP. 

Then I went to work to see if I could get it taken off via a consent from Lowell etc.

I called three solicitors to ask about it and they said since I didn’t get the letter they could get it taken off with a 95-98% success rate saying I have a really strong case. 

This will cost 700 pounds ish or more with one solicitor quoting more like 2grand but that one was more honest in it being unlikely.

he said with Lowell it was unlikely they would be more helpful even if I hadn’t paid and used that as a bargaining chip. 

I’m really depressed about having a CCJ as I’m a recovering alcoholic who has been getting their life back together the last year… and this has really affected me. I’m incredibly low.

I think the solicitors are leading me on for my money about getting this taken off my credit but I’d pay the money if I knew it would work.

I assume Lowell will just say they sent the letter to my last know address and not be in any way interested in helping me get it set aside. Is this true? Should I just accept I have this for 6 years and my credit is in tatters? 

I need to move in 6 months and assume I’m in a tough spot to rent anywhere now. I feel like I’ve been financially imprisoned for simply not telling one creditor who I owed a couple of old bills to that I was moving. Although that’s bad on my part I didn’t expect 6 years in bad credit jail while trying to stay sober as a consequence.

should I just accept my fate or is getting it set aside possible and is it worth risking 700 pounds or more on the chance that me never getting the letter being enough for Lowell and t  he courts? 
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Replies

  • y3sitsm3y3sitsm3 Forumite
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    Sounds like these "solicitors" are taking you for a ride.

    To get this set aside you need a reason for not replying to the original court papers (and you moving and not updating them of your new address typically won't wash) AND a defence against the debt, which you don't appear to have.

    If Lowell aren't interested in a consent order (why would they be? they have their money now) then I'd move on.
  • yeehawyeehaw Forumite
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    y3sitsm3 said:
    Sounds like these "solicitors" are taking you for a ride.

    To get this set aside you need a reason for not replying to the original court papers (and you moving and not updating them of your new address typically won't wash) AND a defence against the debt, which you don't appear to have.

    If Lowell aren't interested in a consent order (why would they be? they have their money now) then I'd move on.
    Would they have if I held out on the money first though?

    if so I’m annoyed I didn’t know this and lost my one chance at sorting this 
  • y3sitsm3y3sitsm3 Forumite
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    yeehaw said:
    y3sitsm3 said:
    Sounds like these "solicitors" are taking you for a ride.

    To get this set aside you need a reason for not replying to the original court papers (and you moving and not updating them of your new address typically won't wash) AND a defence against the debt, which you don't appear to have.

    If Lowell aren't interested in a consent order (why would they be? they have their money now) then I'd move on.
    Would they have if I held out on the money first though?

    if so I’m annoyed I didn’t know this and lost my one chance at sorting this 
    They might have done but then again they had a CCJ.  You didn't really have anything to bargain with.
  • Puddles1983Puddles1983 Forumite
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    Use this as a life lesson as to what happens if you don’t keep on top of your financial affairs.
  • yeehawyeehaw Forumite
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    Yay capitalism 
  • yeehawyeehaw Forumite
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    Literally just found out I’ll struggle to get car insurance too

    what 
    a
    stupid
    bloody
    system 
  • JAS2015JAS2015 Forumite
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    yeehaw said:
    Literally just found out I’ll struggle to get car insurance too

    what 
    a
    stupid
    bloody
    system 
    I have a CCJ. Same as you - sent to an old address. Never had any issues getting car insurance. 
    I know it feels like a kick in the teeth right now but loads of people get ccjs for a variety of reasons and as time goes on the impact lessens. Another thing in your favour is the value of the ccj. Yours is only a couple of hundred £££

    What is more important is that you stay sober!
  • MattMattMattUKMattMattMattUK Forumite
    5.8K Posts
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    yeehaw said:
    Literally just found out I’ll struggle to get car insurance too

    what 
    a
    stupid
    bloody
    system 
    You are very unlikely to have difficulties getting car insurance because of a CCJ, you would however be likely to struggle to get a car insurance policy on finance, those are two very different issues.
  • yeehawyeehaw Forumite
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    10 Posts Second Anniversary
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    JAS2015 said:
    yeehaw said:
    Literally just found out I’ll struggle to get car insurance too

    what 
    a
    stupid
    bloody
    system 
    I have a CCJ. Same as you - sent to an old address. Never had any issues getting car insurance. 
    I know it feels like a kick in the teeth right now but loads of people get ccjs for a variety of reasons and as time goes on the impact lessens. Another thing in your favour is the value of the ccj. Yours is only a couple of hundred £££

    What is more important is that you stay sober!
    I have been talking to an acquaintance who has one this morning and I feel a lot better.

    im glad I stayed sober after discovering this too.

    thanks for the reply 
  • yeehawyeehaw Forumite
    20 Posts
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    Forumite
    yeehaw said:
    Literally just found out I’ll struggle to get car insurance too

    what 
    a
    stupid
    bloody
    system 
    You are very unlikely to have difficulties getting car insurance because of a CCJ, you would however be likely to struggle to get a car insurance policy on finance, those are two very different issues.
    Does that mean I’d have to pay it all up front? 
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