CCJ on my credit score but I don't know why

djmsemcgrath

I was checking my credit report today for the first time in about a year, in preparation for starting to apply for a mortgage soon. To my shock, it had a CCJ on there for £460, issued in January 2023, issued to an address I moved out of in July 2017.

It contained no details of who, what or why. It suggested I contacted the court which I'll do on Monday.

However, what do I need to ask the court for? Will they email me all the details I need? 

I have never once received any letters about this. I didn't have a PCN attached to my car. I assume it's related to a PCN because I vaguely remember something happening in 2016 but that went away (although maybe not!). I did have a 12 month royal mail redirect on until July 2018 but never received anything. 

Will the court send me everything? Someone said I need to fill out a N244 form but at this stage, I don't have enough details to fill it out, let alone attach a witness statement or defence. 

I have read as many threads as I can but I couldn't see any advice if you literally know nothing, and my first question is - what should I say to the court when I phone on Monday?

Thanks all! 

KeithP

The most common reason for getting County Court Judgment without knowing about it is because a vehicle's Registered Keeper fails to advise the DVLA about the RK's change of address.

Check all Vehicle Registration Documents(V5c) to ensure the Registered Keeper's address is up to date.
If they are not, that can be corrected in a matter of moments at the DVLA's website.

Coupon-mad

You should ask:

 - who is the Claimant?

 - who is the legal firm who filed the claim?

- which address was the claim sent to?

- ask the CCBC to please email you a copy of

(a). the Particulars of Claim
(b). The Judgment Order

djmsemcgrath

OK great I'll do that. 
It's going to be tricky doing a defence over something I have no knowledge of and probably after I find out, no memory! 

But one step at a time I guess. 

KeithP

djmsemcgrath said:

But one step at a time I guess. 

Two steps at a time.
Don't overlook what I wrote.  

Umkomaas

djmsemcgrath said:

OK great I'll do that. 
It's going to be tricky doing a defence over something I have no knowledge of and probably after I find out, no memory! 

But one step at a time I guess. 

Almost every CCJ case we advise on sees the recipient pretty much devoid of detailed knowledge of the alleged parking contravention, but we get them developing a solid defence in due course. Your first priority is to deal with the initial work on getting the CCJ set aside. 

djmsemcgrath

Umkomaas said:

djmsemcgrath said:

OK great I'll do that. 
It's going to be tricky doing a defence over something I have no knowledge of and probably after I find out, no memory! 

But one step at a time I guess. 

Almost every CCJ case we advise on sees the recipient pretty much devoid of detailed knowledge of the alleged parking contravention, but we get them developing a solid defence in due course. Your first priority is to deal with the initial work on getting the CCJ set aside. 

Thanks. The court isnt open today. I found out late Friday. I will phone them first thing Monday, get all the information coupon-mad suggested, review the email they hopefully send, and then I'll be able to post in here or work out next steps

B789

@djmsemcgrath, you really must read the Newbies/FAQ thread near the top of this forum. You are now receiving advice on how to handle this. However, do not rely on anyone here just holding your hand and making all the effort in assisting you without you putting in some effort. You will have to re-read that thread many times and keep referring back to it throughout this process.

As per @KeithP's post above, was your V5C up to date with your current address? This is more often than not why victims of these scammers end up with default CCJs that they only find out about when applying for some form of credit. You must get this updated immediately as the DVLA could fine you up to £1,000 for not having done so.

As soon as you find out who the Claimant and/or solicitor is from the court, you will need to contact them and tell them to "erase" your old address and update with your current address. The word "erase" is highlighted for a reason.

Boat_to_Bolivia

KeithP said:

The most common reason for getting County Court Judgment without knowing about it is because a vehicle's Registered Keeper fails to advise the DVLA about the RK's change of address.

Check all Vehicle Registration Documents(V5c) to ensure the Registered Keeper's address is up to date.
If they are not, that can be corrected in a matter of moments at the DVLA's website.

Did you do as @KeithP advised?

djmsemcgrath

Boat_to_Bolivia said:

KeithP said:

The most common reason for getting County Court Judgment without knowing about it is because a vehicle's Registered Keeper fails to advise the DVLA about the RK's change of address.

Check all Vehicle Registration Documents(V5c) to ensure the Registered Keeper's address is up to date.
If they are not, that can be corrected in a matter of moments at the DVLA's website.

Did you do as @KeithP advised?

I'm not sure how to. The car I had in 2017 (I assume it happened in 2017 as they have that address) was two cars ago. The car in between and my current car are registered to my current address. I don't remember if I updated my V5 in the six months following me leaving that address and getting a new car.
How do I check that? I don't have the v5c for that old car any more so can't enter in the reference number on the DVLA website

djmsemcgrath

B789 said:

@djmsemcgrath, you really must read the Newbies/FAQ thread near the top of this forum. You are now receiving advice on how to handle this. However, do not rely on anyone here just holding your hand and making all the effort in assisting you without you putting in some effort. You will have to re-read that thread many times and keep referring back to it throughout this process.

As per @KeithP's post above, was your V5C up to date with your current address? This is more often than not why victims of these scammers end up with default CCJs that they only find out about when applying for some form of credit. You must get this updated immediately as the DVLA could fine you up to £1,000 for not having done so.

As soon as you find out who the Claimant and/or solicitor is from the court, you will need to contact them and tell them to "erase" your old address and update with your current address. The word "erase" is highlighted for a reason.

I am reading it. Multiple threads it links to are reasonably complex, and often, there's responses to say "you didn't need to do that yet" etc. It makes it a little tricky to follow the exact process. But I will absolutely try and I may post what I think is the next step for people on here to confirm or advice otherwise, if that's OK?