Amex refer debt to NCO and now Brachers LPP

PanAction25

iceandfire1 said:

In my case, Amex endorsed to AIC Corp but then now that I tried to communicate with AIC, they told me to talk straight to Amex again because they are not handling my case anymore.

I haven't defaulted with Amex yet.

Don't want a CCJ.

But I think it is better for a default to appear on your credit report first before doing anything.

Amex referred the debt to NCO Europe for collection in April 2025 and stated in their letter that they will defaulting my account in 28 days. That hasn’t happened yet. I didn’t  respond to NCO phone calls or emails since April. So my guess is that NCO sent the debt back to Amex and then Amex  referred it to Brachers solicitors.  As I said above, I told them that the debt is being disputed so can’t discuss any payment plan until Amex/Ombudsman makes their final decision.  But they said they will note that on the file and  to relay that to Amex.  Curious to know whether Amex will hold on defaulting the account or will actually go ahead and default the account while the complaint is ongoing. 

PanAction25

I’m thinking of replying to the letter from Brachers (law firm) acting for and on behalf of Amex and would grateful for any suggestions or interested in the thoughts of others on the draft letter below: 

I am writing in response to your recent correspondence regarding an alleged outstanding balance on an American Express account.

Please be advised that I submitted a formal complaint to American Express in February 2025 on the grounds of unaffordable lending. Although Amex did not uphold my complaint in March 2025, I subsequently escalated the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

In May 2025, the Ombudsman requested that I resubmit the complaint to American Express, specifically asking them to review account opening in 2017 and every credit limit increase thereafter. Amex was given eight weeks to respond, but I have yet to receive a final decision.

This account remains in active dispute, and I am awaiting the outcome of their investigation and/or a decision from the Financial Ombudsman Service.

 I therefore respectfully request that all collection activity be suspended in accordance with FCA guidelines until the matter is fully resolved. I also ask that you confirm in writing whether the account has been defaulted or sold or remains with American Express.

For the avoidance of doubt, I do not acknowledge liability for this debt at this stage and request that all future correspondence be made in writing.

ManyWays

You could add into that a reference to this FCA rule

CONC 7.5.3 R A firm must not ignore or disregard a customer's claim that a debt has been settled or is disputed and must not continue to make demands for payment without providing clear justification and/or evidence as to why the customer's claim is not valid.

But a simpler approach may be to ignore them unless you receive a Letter Before Action about the debt, that has to be challenged fast. 

sourcrates

As said before, they are only "acting" for Amex, so their ability to do anything except post you letters is strictly limited to just that, they are not worth even writing too.