Overdales - claiming I have a CCJ but it's not on my Experian credit report

holdorflod

I received a letter from Overdales Solicitors titled "Potential Enforcement action in 14 days" with regards to an outstanding balance of £414

It says that they've been instructed to apply for a Warrant of Control because a CCJ was entered against me in 5 years ago in February 2018.

Their client is Lowell Portfolio and I do recall getting letters from them in the past but I have forgotten what the original debt was. Most likely something from around 2015 when I wasn't great at managing my money.

However, no CCJ has appeared on my Experian credit report. My Experian score is 893 and has been around this number for a couple of years since I've been trying to improve my rating. I just signed up the Experian full report and checked in there and there's nothing about a CCJ. Under the "Bankruptcy, CCJ or IVA" section it says "You have no public records"

So not sure how to proceed with this

If I contact them I would prefer to do so via email, is that viable? I haven't contacted a debt collection agency before.

fatbelly

If they have given you the court reference, check with the court whether it is genuine and your  debt

Most creditors use the county court business centre so email

ccbc@justice.gov.uk

and ask for the 'particulars of claim'

If they haven't quoted a court reference it's probably a bluff

holdorflod

Nope, they haven't included a court reference

Only a "Claim Number" and "Our Reference"

holdorflod

Just drafted an email to send... would this suffice?

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in regards to the letter I received from Overdales Solicitors regarding a potential enforcement action for an outstanding balance of £414. 

I note that your letter claims that a CCJ was entered against me in February 2018. However, you have not provided me with any court reference number or other details that would allow me to verify this claim. In light of this, I would appreciate it if you could provide me with more information about the alleged CCJ, including the court reference number and the particulars of claim.

In addition, could you please provide me with details of the original debt that the CCJ relates to, including the name of the original creditor, the amount of the debt, and the date that it was incurred? I have checked my credit report and there is no record of a CCJ, and I would appreciate clarification on why this might be the case.

I would appreciate your cooperation in providing me with the requested information, as it would enable us to resolve any outstanding issues. In the event that I do not hear back from you, I may need to seek further clarification from the County Court Business Centre.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Kind regards,

tacpot12

That seems fine. I suspect that will not have any insight into why the CCJ is not on your credit report.

fatbelly

holdorflod said:

Nope, they haven't included a court reference

Only a "Claim Number" and "Our Reference"

The claim number IS the court reference

fatbelly

holdorflod said:

Just drafted an email to send... would this suffice?

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in regards to the letter I received from Overdales Solicitors regarding a potential enforcement action for an outstanding balance of £414. 

I note that your letter claims that a CCJ was entered against me in February 2018. However, you have not provided me with any court reference number or other details that would allow me to verify this claim. In light of this, I would appreciate it if you could provide me with more information about the alleged CCJ, including the court reference number and the particulars of claim.

In addition, could you please provide me with details of the original debt that the CCJ relates to, including the name of the original creditor, the amount of the debt, and the date that it was incurred? I have checked my credit report and there is no record of a CCJ, and I would appreciate clarification on why this might be the case.

I would appreciate your cooperation in providing me with the requested information, as it would enable us to resolve any outstanding issues. In the event that I do not hear back from you, I may need to seek further clarification from the County Court Business Centre.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Kind regards,

Email CCBC, quote the reference and ask for the particulars of claim.

Then you will be able to respond to Overdales.

How you respond will depend on whether this is  your debt, if it is yours but you had a defence to the claim or whether this judgement is over 6 years old. All info best got from the court as you cannot trust Overdales.

holdorflod

Ok thanks, I had already sent that email to Overdales yesterday but I just now emailed CCBC with the ref and they said they will aim to get back within 10 days. 

Is there anything else I need to do at this stage? The Overdales letter stated that they're going to apply for a Warrant of Control on the 7th of March which may be after I hear back from the CCBC... though I did send Overdales that email so hopefully will hear back from them.

*edit* Just realised that the 7th of March is only 2 working days from today.

Would it be wise for me to phone Overdales today?

molerat

However, no CCJ has appeared on my Experian credit report.

Have you checked the other 2 ?

TransUnion via Kredit Karma https://www.creditkarma.co.uk/signup

Equifax via ClearScore https://app.clearscore.com/signup

Hope you are not paying for Experian

Experian via MSE https://clubs.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub/register

fatbelly

holdorflod said:

Ok thanks, I had already sent that email to Overdales yesterday but I just now emailed CCBC with the ref and they said they will aim to get back within 10 days. 

Is there anything else I need to do at this stage? The Overdales letter stated that they're going to apply for a Warrant of Control on the 7th of March which may be after I hear back from the CCBC... though I did send Overdales that email so hopefully will hear back from them.

*edit* Just realised that the 7th of March is only 2 working days from today.

Would it be wise for me to phone Overdales today?

No. Stop panicking, and stop contacting them until you know what this is. 

The bailiff thing is probably just a threat and, if this turns out to be a consumer credit act debt, they would have to use the county court bailiff who will not cause any problems (which is probably why it's just a threat) 

sourcrates

Also, re: any visit by a bailiff, just keep them outside, lock your doors, and do not allow them access, or engage with them in any way.

Also the bailiff must give you 7 days written notice of intent to attend your address.