How to Check Whether a County Court Claim Is Genuine

If a letter or email says someone has started a County Court money claim against you, check it promptly. Do not ignore it because it looks unusual, asks for payment or does not appear on your credit report.

This guide covers England and Wales. The Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) replaced the County Court Business Centre (CCBC) in 2023, so older correspondence may use the former name.

You can verify the case directly with the court using independently obtained contact details, while keeping track of the response deadline.

• Understand the difference between a claim, a judgment and a creditor’s letter.
• Check the sender and case details safely.
• Protect your right to respond to a genuine claim.
• Get help if you suspect impersonation or have already paid a scammer.

A claim form is different from a CCJ

A claim form tells you that a claimant has started court proceedings. A County Court judgment (CCJ) is a later decision or order about the claim. Receiving a claim does not mean the court has already decided that you owe the money.

A genuine claim will not appear on your credit report simply because it has been issued. Even a judgment may take time to appear. A credit-file check therefore cannot establish whether a claim form is authentic.

A creditor’s payment reminder or letter before claim is also different from a court-issued claim. Such letters can be genuine and important even though they are not court orders.

How to check whether a court claim is genuine

Use the official court and tribunal finder to obtain contact details yourself. For a CNBC claim, use its official listing. Avoid relying on a phone number, link or bank details in the message you are checking.

• Ask the court to confirm the claim number, parties, issue date and response deadline.
• Compare the instructions with the court’s official guidance. Genuine claims can arrive by letter or email, and different court services use different response methods.
• Do not treat pre-filled details, a response pack or payment instructions as proof that a document is real or fake.
• Be cautious about unexpected links and payment requests. Sender addresses and caller numbers can be imitated.

If the court cannot immediately confirm the case, explain the deadline shown and seek urgent help. Do not assume that an unanswered verification request extends your time to respond.

Check what kind of document you have received

Read the heading and what the sender is asking you to do. A letter before claim warns that proceedings may follow; a claim form starts proceedings; a judgment records a court decision. Each needs a different response.

A creditor or debt buyer can bring a genuine claim. The fact that you do not recognise the company, or that your debt has been sold, does not establish that a document is fraudulent. Check the claimed debt and the claimant’s identity separately from checking the court document.

Impersonation and misleading debt letters

Scammers can impersonate courts, creditors or debt collectors. A letter that uses a real company’s name may have been sent by someone else. Keep a copy of the envelope, message and payment request so the court or firm can investigate.

Debt collectors must not misrepresent their authority or the status of legal proceedings. If you suspect misleading conduct by a regulated firm, complain to the firm and keep the evidence.

Protect your money and your response deadline

Paying an impersonator can cause a financial loss. Ignoring a genuine claim can also lead to a default judgment. Checking authenticity should therefore happen promptly alongside getting advice about the claim.

If the court confirms the claim, follow the response instructions and deadline. You can admit it, dispute all or part of it, or seek the extra response time available under the relevant procedure. Asking the creditor for information does not by itself stop court deadlines.

Under the usual Civil Procedure Rules, a defence is due 14 days after service of the particulars of claim, extended to 28 days if an acknowledgment of service is filed in time. Some online procedures differ: use the deadline on your claim and check it with the court if unsure.

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What to do if you suspect a scam

Do not send money or personal information until you have independently checked the request. Contact the court using its official details, and contact the named creditor through a known, genuine channel if necessary.

If you have already paid or disclosed bank details to someone you believe is a scammer, contact your bank promptly and follow the current GOV.UK reporting guidance. Keep copies of the messages and payment evidence.

For a complaint about a regulated debt-collection firm, complain to the firm first. You may then be able to refer an unresolved complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You can report misconduct to the FCA, but it does not decide individual complaints or cancel court judgments.

Get free help from National Debtline, StepChange or Citizens Advice if you are unsure how to respond. A debt adviser can help you identify the document and explain your options.

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What happens with a genuine debt claim?

The process depends on the debt and the court procedure. In many business-to-individual debt cases, the creditor should send a letter of claim and allow time for a reply before starting proceedings. A statutory default notice may also be needed for certain regulated credit agreements; it is not required for every kind of debt.

After a claim is issued, respond through the route specified by the court. A defence must explain why you dispute the claim. If you admit the debt but cannot afford a lump sum, ask about an affordable instalment proposal.

If a judgment is made and not paid as ordered, the creditor may apply for enforcement. This is a separate stage: a collector’s letter does not itself authorise seizure of your belongings.

A procedural problem does not automatically cancel a claim or judgment. Get advice promptly about any appropriate defence or application. See GOV.UK’s guide to responding to a money claim.