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My girlfriend has received a spurious request for payment for a credit hire car following an accident - is it a scam?

My girlfriend was involved in an accident in Nov 2009 where she rear-ended someone at a roundabout. Her car is a company car and insurance is arranged by her employers. She admitted liability, her car was repaired and she thought the matter closed. On returning home today found she has received a letter from a solicitor, requesting payment of an outstanding invoice for credit hire. It states acting on behalf of the party she hit in accident. The letter incorrectly addresses her as Mrs and only states half of her postcode. The letter gives an offer to settle the invoice within 14 days or proceedings will be issued. I suspect a scam here, any idea as to what is going on?

Asked on 24 December 2010 by D Morton

Answered by Honest John
It’s a try on because the insurers have refused to meet an outrageous claim for a hire car while the other party’s car was being repaired. She must refer the matter back to her employer's insurers. But there may be a legitimate reason why she is not covered for this. If so she needs to refer the matter to asklucy@honestjohn.co.uk.

She should refer the demand to asklucy anyway because Lucy is collecting evidence about spurious claims by credit hire operators.
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