DCA claim

Bobtheboris92

Hi, 

I recently received a email from the solicitor that they have filed a complaint on my behalf to the finance company. I could not recall appointing this solicitor firm to represent me, however when I contacted them I was told that they received my details and a signature from a claims management company. I remember doing this social media marketing advert click where I could check if my agreement had any DCA claim. Turns out they forwarded my details to the solicitor firm with my electronic signature allowing them to prepare a legal document to represent me. When I told this solicitor firm to cancel my contract with them, they told me I have to pay their cancellation fees of £150 plus VAT. This solicitor firm never contacted me when they actually received my details from the claims management company which was on 12/04/25. I get email from them on 12/05/25 saying they have looked into my claim and now sent a complaint letter to the finance company. When I emailed them back on 12/05/25 saying please cancel my agreement they replied saying I've gone past their 14 days cooling off period and I will have to pay their cancellation fee. This is so wrong that they never communicated to me about them representing me, any document to say that I have an agreement with them and if I wished to retain them I have to confirm this with them, if not I can cancel agreement in 14 days.

Another issue is when I filled up my details originally with the claims management firm I only provided them with 1 finance agreement. This was the agreement solicitor went ahead and contacted the finance company. Now in October after few months have passed, this solicitor firm emailed me saying they have filled another 2 claims from my old finance agreements. I never provided them with details of these 2 finance agreements, but they carried out soft search on my finance background to get all details other details. When I asked them how is this possible, I never gave you my consent to do this and they replied by saying that when I chose them I gave them my authority to do all this searches and make more claims. 
This is so wrong, these claims management companies and solicitor firms are trapping innocent people by tieing them to these legal contracts without their consent. 
With my other 2 claims, I've personally started those 2 claims following Martin's templates 1 month ago and finance company has acknowledged my complaint. Now this solicitor has gone ahead and sent a complaint letter to this finance company representing me. I don't know what will happen if I've already started claim personally, can the solicitor firm override this? 
I don't know how to come out from this trap.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. 

Nasqueron

When you click on these social media links they just add you to a list, often allowing them to send claims to everyone, do tax reclaims etc this agreement also includes the cancellation fee 

They don't have a database of car finance, they just send out blanket speculative letters to everyone and see what sticks.

dunstonh

I could not recall appointing this solicitor firm to represent me, however when I contacted them I was told that they received my details and a signature from a claims management company. I remember doing this social media marketing advert click where I could check if my agreement had any DCA claim. 

That is a known tactic on how they do it.

 This is so wrong that they never communicated to me about them representing me, any document to say that I have an agreement with them and if I wished to retain them I have to confirm this with them, if not I can cancel agreement in 14 days.

You will probably find that in the T&C you agreed with the CMC, that it covers this.     However, there is a chance they failed to include references to it.   What does the T&C from the CMC say?

Another issue is when I filled up my details originally with the claims management firm I only provided them with 1 finance agreement. This was the agreement solicitor went ahead and contacted the finance company. Now in October after few months have passed, this solicitor firm emailed me saying they have filled another 2 claims from my old finance agreements. I never provided them with details of these 2 finance agreements, but they carried out soft search on my finance background to get all details other details.

Again, quite normal that the agreement you e-sign refers to all agrements and not just one you supplied.

This is so wrong, these claims management companies and solicitor firms are trapping innocent people by tieing them to these legal contracts without their consent. 

You will probably find you did give your consent.

With my other 2 claims, I've personally started those 2 claims following Martin's templates 1 month ago and finance company has acknowledged my complaint. Now this solicitor has gone ahead and sent a complaint letter to this finance company representing me. I don't know what will happen if I've already started claim personally, can the solicitor firm override this? 

The FCA is still consulting on the process, and the lenders will be given time to put their systems and processes in place.   Whether you complain once or a dozen times across multiple sources, it desn't matter.  They will all end up in the same place being handled the same way.

The solicitor/CMC will be able to take a cut from these other two should the result in redress.

I don't know how to come out from this trap.

You either cancel and pay the fee or you let it play out and slap yourself being so silly for signing up for things on social media without knowing what you are doing and ensure you don't do it again.

Bobtheboris92

Thank you for your replies. I accept my stupidity to go on CMC website and filling up form with my details but my argument with the solicitor is that they never informed me about me entering in a contract with them and I had 14 days to cancel. If you look at the screenshot of CMC website it does say about 14 days cooling off period but doesn't mention any names of the solicitor firms. After I submitted my details on CMC website they forwarded my details and electronic signature to the solicitor firm, which they then copied and pasted my signature on the agreement and letter of consent. They did not email me at the same time informing me that I'm getting into a contract with them and if I'm not happy I have 14 days to cancel the contract. If I don't know anything about this solicitor firm how can I cancel my contract with them.