Letter from debt collectors

[Donatella]

I've just received a letter from a debt collection agency. It says it relates to a debt owed to the local council that I haven't paid, but I have never received anything about the original debt so I have no idea what it's about (the letter references some legal act about parking enforcement so possibly a parking fine, but I haven't received one). I'm going to phone them tomorrow to try and figure out what it's all about but from experience the debt collection agency won't be able to give me many details. There is an added complication that I lease my car through work so any parking fines would usually go to them to be forwarded on to me (or possibly just taken out of my pay!).

My question though is, what recourse do I have if this debt is legitimate but I have never had any previous notification of it? I don't mind paying money if I owe it, but I do object to the £75 fee that has been added now that it has been passed to debt collection. Any thoughts on how I can avoid having to pay that?

Hopeful bump

May be have a look at the moneysavingexpert forums or pepipoo parking site as there are a lot of knowledgeable folks there who might know about the legal site if u haven't been notified (I'd do this before you phone as I suspect they'll try to bully you in paying straight away).

Also is the letter definitely for you? I get letters from agencies seeking someone with my name/dob. I think some agencies specialise in buying old debts and then send out lots of hopeful letters trying to track down the person on the off chance they'll go oh yes, you got me guv

Well it's my address and the council it says I owe money to is my local council, I have a fairly unusual name so probably it is for me. The letter says I have until 17/1 to pay so I won't feel pressured to pay today if they can't tell me why. I just object to the lack of notice and the admin fee.

Sounds strange .. can you get a number for the council online (not off the letter) to verify?

I had this with an charge from an energy company when I moved to a new address, it was £90 but they had added on a further £30 for late repayment fee… but I never received the energy bill in the first place as it was with a company I’m not with! Once I organised payment they actually dropped the extra £30 in the end.

I've just looked at the letter again and there is a reference number provided for the council so I'll call them and try and find out what it is before calling the agency. Bet I won't be able to get hold of anyone until Monday though!