Italian speeding fine from 4 years ago - demand from DCA

[Emmoligen]

I was just reading this thread which has now been closed:

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/415098-credit-limits-international-italian-highway-code-debt/

 

The issue concerned a speeding fine and the same thing has happened to me.

I was caught speeding in Florence in 2015 and received a letter from Credit Limits International demanding £248.

The company included the original copy of the fine from the Florence Police which was €69.

I have no doubt the speeding happened - though this is the first I heard of it.

 

I negotiated with the company explaining this and the fee was reduced to £137 (covering the initial fine and collection costs).

 

Can anyone tell me whether I ought to pay this?

I don't mind doing so but it still seems a bit steep and the above-referenced thread seemed to suggest that this is something best ignored completely.

 

I'm concerned that it's dodgy and that if I do pay it - they will come back asking for more.

[dx100uk]

no don't get fleeced.

 

dx

 

[Emmoligen]

Thanks dx100uk - but would it be possible to get an more detail as to why? Presumably, the debt is valid and has been purchased at whatever percentage on the debt by Credit Limits International from the Florence authorities?

[dx100uk]

I thought you said you'd read the thread you indicated?

 

 

[unclebulgaria67]

Why would Italian Police use a company like CLI who charge for template letters ?

 

You would think anything officially due would be dealt  with through a proper process.

[Emmoligen]

I did read the thread, but the advice was "don't pay" - and the original poster didn't come back to say what had happened in the end.

 

unclebulgaria - the DCA does have a copy of the official speeding notice.

[dx100uk]

read the letter

it says our client...

 

everything else is explained in that other thread or any CLI thread gere .

use our search..

 

a dca IS NOT A BAILIFF

[Emmoligen]

Thanks for the advice. Our letter from CLI says:

 

"We have been appointed to act on behalf of Corpo Di Polizia Municipale Di Firenze for the purpose of recovering the outstanding debt..."

 

"Whatever you decide to do, do bear in mind that it is our client's policy to recover all outstanding debts..."

 

Does this mean, then, that CLI don't own the debt themselves and that we are therefore ok to ignore correspondence? My wife is in email contact with someone at CLI...which is where we have received the negotiated revised offer as mentioned in my first post 

 

"I negotiated with the company explaining this and the fee was reduced to £137 (covering the initial fine and collection costs)."

 

Should we reply to his latest email and if so, what should we say?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

[dx100uk]

act on behalf of

these debts are never sold

ignore totally 

 

ignore 

block 

and bounce all emails and their addresses

you should never ever reply to any email or phone calls regarding ANY DEBT from anyone let alone a DCA.

 

any DCA no matter what country they come from are:

 

NOT BAILIFFS

and have 

ZERO legal powers on ANY debt.

[Emmoligen]

Thanks again dx100uk - very helpful advice.

 

I wonder how on earth these people get what seem to be legitimate speeding / parking etc., offence details then? Do they just buy the lists to try it on I wonder?

[dx100uk]

Yep

They offer to try and get money by hook or by crook

In all truth they leave it years then send a stupid cleverly worded threat-o-gram

That people NEVER READ PROPERLY

that doesn't say WILL anything.

then pocket the money if they find a MUG

[unclebulgaria67]

This is taken from the FCA register.  Still lapsed status.  There is no mention on the CLI web site that they are authorised in the UK to conduct debt collection activities.  They are registered to a European debt collection  body.  

 

They simply appear to offer a service of providing template letters, with any debts being paid directly to the clients who believe they are owed a debt. CLI cannot actually do much themselves. as has already been mentioned.

 

Firm Name:	Credit Limits International Limited
Interim Permissions Reference Number:	627201
Current status:	Lapsed
FS Register Status Effective Date:
Interim Permission End Date:
Firm Reference Number:
Principal Place of Business Address:	1st Floor 14 Shunters Close Faversham Kent ME13 8GF
Registered Office Address:	7 Church Road Oare Faversham Kent ME13 0QA