I think she phoned when she got the letter out of sheer panic, not had any kind of debt trouble and really caught her out, especially as the money in question is nothing to do with her! Thanks for the reply, she doesn't have any documentation from that far back, and the council don't have her council tax details for when she moved for some reason. I asked her to speak to the bank as well, so glad i suggested something useful, she's been with them since before 2003 so they may have records of her addresses from back then and statements etc. Thanks for the advice, will keep you informed.

Hi There, Actually writing this on behalf of a colleague at work. She's not very internet literate and i said i would try and get some help through this site. She has had a letter from 1st Credit, on behalf of United Utilities, claiming she owes them £905.81 from an address in 2004/2005. The problem with this is she moved out of that address in 2003, so whoever followed (or the person after that) has not told United Utilities and they are now claiming the money from someone who didn't live there at that time. She has phoned the council for proof through council tax she was not living there at that time and they have said the records from then are no longer held. Apparently this case has already gone to court in October 2007 yet the letter received on Saturday 14th Feb 09 is the first she's ever heard of it, she phoned United Utilities in Early 2004 letting them know her change of address, and they therefore should have a record of that call/change of address. They are being shirty and saying they will only accept written confirmation from the council that she was living elsewhere. As i understand it she's spoken to United Utilities and they have quoted a CCJ number from October 2007, at which they said it was ordered she had to pay the money. They've asked for payment of the debt in full by 27th March 09. What options are open to her? Any help greatly appreciated. Regards, J D Ward Preston Lancs

I don't know all the detail surrounding it but i think she phoned United Utilities and they gave her a CCJ reference number from October 2007, and she was told they had ordered she had to pay the money. But there is no doubt she did not live there during the period of the bill!! And if they ordered that in October 07 why is it only being chased now and the current letter looks to me like the standard 'pay this or we threaten action' letter. It's all very bizarre...

Hi There, Actually writing this on behalf of a colleague at work. She's not very internet literate and i said i would try and get some help through this site. She has had a letter from 1st Credit, on behalf of United Utilities, claiming she owes them £905.81 from an address in 2004/2005. The problem with this is she moved out of that address in 2003, so whoever followed (or the person after that) has not told United Utilities and they are now claiming the money from someone who didn't live there at that time. She has phoned the council for proof through council tax she was not living there at that time and they have said the records from then are no longer held. Apparently this case has already gone to court in October 2007 yet the letter received on Saturday 14th Feb 09 is the first she's ever heard of it, she phoned United Utilities in Early 2004 letting them know her change of address, and they therefore should have a record of that call/change of address. They are being shirty and saying they will only accept written confirmation from the council that she was living elsewhere. They've asked for payment of the debt in full by 27th March 09. What options are open to her? Any help greatly appreciated. Regards, J D Ward Preston Lancs

Thanks for the advice, you've put my mind at ease. I can afford to pay some back monthly but no way all in one go! was worried about what that might mean, but i feel better about options now. Cheers, Will update with how it goes. JW

Hi, I've had a credit card with Capital One since 2004, i stayed within the limit (£500) for the first year, at which point the card balance went up to £505, i was of course charged for being over and now three years on my balance stands at £860, i was making regular payments of £30 a month (which to be absolutely truthful was all i could afford with other outgoings) which would have been ok if not for them charging more than that every month for me being over. So now i've run into difficulties and haven't been able to pay even the £30 for 3 months and had a 'Default' notice from them, saying this will go to a debt collection agency. I haven't actually used that card for more than 3 years and yet am £360 over the limit because of their charges, they are going to be asking for the full amount back, i really want to know how much power the debt collectors might have? Can they take my car or anything to the value of the debt? How serious could this get? Not been in this position before. My car and my computer are the only things i own, the house and everything else in it has been paid for by my other half, could they take anything that belongs to her as well??? Thanks for any advice.... JW

Thanks very much for the replies, will certainly be in court tomorrow come 2:15, a little nervous but i know it's not likely to be too heavy... Although this dragging on for another 3 months is a little tedious, they really are taking the mick... I'm sure everyone else is in the same boat though.. Have to mention though my husband has twice got charges back from HSBC without having to go to court (not all of it but not far off the full amount), so just depends who you're challenging... Barclays did make an offer early on but it was insulting, now it's gone this far it's a must to get all the money back. Thanks, will post again after tomorrows proceedings. Ann Marie

Hi there, I've been pursuing my charges for i would say about 9 months now and was given a court date of October 31st 07 back in July. Phoned the court yesterday and they have confirmed that this case is still going ahead. I have since receiving the court date received a letter from barclays saying they are awaiting the outcome of the test case in January 08 and kind of suggesting they will not be going to court. Just wondering what peoples recent experiences are? Are we likely to get to court on Wednesday and find a barclays defence team waiting or is it likely we will get an offer before then?I know the last time i checked the site a few months back no one had actually had to fight their case in court and barclays were settling. Thanks for any info anyone can provide. Ann Marie Claiming £1200 in total....

I'm not enclined i'm inclined!! Will let you know if i start the procedure off again.

Thanks for your replies alexifa and hagenuk, i will have to sit down and mull it over, but as i couldn't follow up last time and am now in a better financial position i'm enclined to take them for everything they owe. Thanks again.

Hello, I've already claimed once against HSBC for my current account, because of my financial situation at the time i unfortunately had to accept their offer (which was £300 less than they owed), and sent a reply to the "Full and Final Settlement" letter. What i want to know is could i claim again??? They have taken more than £200 in charges off me since i got the settlement back (which was about 5 months ago now), can i claim a second time or have i lost that right because of accepting their offer last time? Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.

Barclays defended and we've received the court pack through the post with the allocation questionnaire, we will read the FAQ's on here and send it straight to preston court! We were hoping for a quick settlement but i guess it's gonna drag on for a while yet! Will be worth it in the end i'm sure.

Hi, is anyone able to answer my query?, the 28 days have passed yesterday for Barclays to enter a defence. Should i start the judgement now or am i better off waiting? Just checking as i know they usually wait till the last minute and it may not have shown up online yet. Thanks,

Hi, the date of defence has now officially passed for barclays, they were served with the MCOL ON 9th december and had until i presume midnight on the 6th January 07 to put in a defence. Should i start a judgement now or am i better off waiting a few days first?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, just a quick update, I put the MCOL through on the 4th December. The court sent a letter saying it would be registered as served to barclays on the 9th December. Barclays acknowledged on the 18th December, but as yet have not entered a defence, they have until 6th January to enter one. I'm sure they will, fingers crossed they don't but no doubt they're leaving it till the last minute. Will keep you all informed, happy new year to all, hopefully in a few weeks a very happy new year!