In an unexpected turn of events, DR of London and his wife found themselves embroiled in legal complications stemming from communication barriers with a company experiencing high call volumes. The ordeal began when DR of London's wife, a lingerie designer, found herself unknowingly issued a county court judgment (CCJ) in her name. This oversight led to a significant drop in her credit score, inciting anxiety and financial strain. The company offered £300 to settle the issue, but DR of London deemed this compensation insufficient.
Similarly, CG of Huddersfield faced a daunting financial predicament after a collision last year. Having admitted fault, he received a "judgment in default" notice amounting to nearly £11,000. The other driver's insurer threatened legal action unless he paid £10,000 within seven days. Despite settling the CCJ in a month's time, CG's credit record remains tarnished four months later, awaiting clearance.
The company involved acknowledged the difficulties faced by DR of London's wife in contacting them due to unprecedented call volumes. They issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and recognized the anxiety and financial burden incurred due to the issue.
"We apologise for the difficulty she had in contacting us earlier this year, when we were experiencing unprecedented call volumes,"
The company stated, attempting to address the concerns raised by DR of London's wife.
Despite the apology and a settlement offer of £300, the Financial Ombudsman Service sided with the company, considering the offer fair. However, DR of London argued that this amount did not adequately compensate for the distress and financial implications experienced by his wife, who was deemed an unacceptable risk by insurers due to her potential connections with high-profile individuals like supermodels.
The situation also highlights CG of Huddersfield's ongoing struggle as he awaits the removal of the CCJ from his credit record. His case underscores the long-term effects such judgments can have on personal finances, despite prompt resolution efforts.