Help-Collect Services Limited Middlesex

[southeastlondon]

Hi
I'm new to the forum and wondered if anyone could help me. I was contacted by Collect Services Limited about an unpaid traffic fine. I replied to them offering to pay the amount in 2 installments of 69.08 as i couldn't afford to pay the full amount. I heard nothing until i came home and found that a bailiff had been round and the amount due was now £263.49!! I spent ages on the phone trying to contact them. They said they had not received my letter, they could not be held responsible for mail going astray and that the paperwork was with the bailiff and there was nothing they could do.

I contacted the bailiff who told me that he couldn't do anything i was to discuss it with the office and try emailing them. I wrote them a letter explaining everything that had happened and they replied saying that they would take two payments of 131.00. I read the advice on this forum and said that i still couldn't afford that kind of payment, that I would pay the original debt of a cheque for 69.08 now, 69.08 at the end of February and that i would pay reasonable costs and could they send me a list of the charges showing the cost, reason for the cost etc. I asked them to confirm that they had received the cheque, and that they wouldn't levy additional charges until they had provided me with a breakdown of the cost.

My cheque was cashed promptly and i heard nothing from them. I was going to send the cheque for 69.08 today to be in time for the end of the month and when i got home today there was a "final pre-removal advice". The amount was now 255.51 - so they have taken my original cheque into account and added on more charges. I haven't been able to speak to them, i spoke to the bailiff who again says i should call them and sort it out with them. He said he was aware of the information as he had been reading the file and said that i should discuss it with the office, that they could give me a breakdown over the telephone.

I'm really confused about what to do. I assumed that they had accepted my offer as they cashed the cheque and didn't send me a letter. I'm concerned about them taking my car. I'm a single parent and I have a disabled child and need my car (it's a disabled taxation class). If they are not replying to my letters and ignoring my request for a written breakdown then what else can i do? Where else can i go?

Sorry this is a long letter but i'm worried sick, the money is going up and up and i cant afford to pay it off and they seem to be ignoring my letters.

[10110001]

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

Hi
I'm new to the forum and wondered if anyone could help me. I was contacted by Collect Services Limited about an unpaid traffic fine. I replied to them offering to pay the amount in 2 installments of 69.08 as i couldn't afford to pay the full amount. I heard nothing until i came home and found that a bailiff had been round and the amount due was now £263.49!!

Something not right. Bailiffs fees are prescribed in law. For a £90+£5 court fee parking fine the total payable to bailiff on his 1st visit is £141.06 or £108.16 over the phone after receiving the 1st letter.

The law: Schedule 1 of Enforcement of Road Traffic Debts (Certificated Bailiffs) Regulations 1993 and amended in 2003

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

I spent ages on the phone trying to contact them. They said they had not received my letter, they could not be held responsible for mail going astray and that the paperwork was with the bailiff and there was nothing they could do.

They are contradicting Section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

I contacted the bailiff who told me that he couldn't do anything i was to discuss it with the office and try emailing them. I wrote them a letter explaining everything that had happened and they replied saying that they would take two payments of 131.00. I read the advice on this forum and said that i still couldn't afford that kind of payment, that I would pay the original debt of a cheque for 69.08 now, 69.08 at the end of February and that i would pay reasonable costs and could they send me a list of the charges showing the cost, reason for the cost etc. I asked them to confirm that they had received the cheque, and that they wouldn't levy additional charges until they had provided me with a breakdown of the cost.

My cheque was cashed promptly and i heard nothing from them. I was going to send the cheque for 69.08 today to be in time for the end of the month and when i got home today there was a "final pre-removal advice". The amount was now 255.51 - so they have taken my original cheque into account and added on more charges. I haven't been able to speak to them, i spoke to the bailiff who again says i should call them and sort it out with them. He said he was aware of the information as he had been reading the file and said that i should discuss it with the office, that they could give me a breakdown over the telephone.

I'm really confused about what to do. I assumed that they had accepted my offer as they cashed the cheque and didn't send me a letter. I'm concerned about them taking my car. I'm a single parent and I have a disabled child and need my car (it's a disabled taxation class).

You, or a dependant has a dissibility and the bailiff canot take the car.

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

If they are not replying to my letters and ignoring my request for a written breakdown then what else can i do? Where else can i go?

Sorry this is a long letter but i'm worried sick, the money is going up and up and i cant afford to pay it off and they seem to be ignoring my letters.

You can be just as awkward as the bailiff. Pay him with a credit card and consider having the debt paid off at the bailiffs expense.

[southeastlondon]

Many many thanks for your reply. Unfortunately i dont have a credit card with that amount on it. I called and spoke to them this morning, the girls who answered the calls said that they were not able to discuss my case. First of all they said i had to speak to the bailiff then they said I had to put it in writing to the administration office. I was basically given the run around by both the office and the bailiff. Neither of them would give me a phone number to speak to anyone in administration and both of them kept asking me to pay it off now and discuss it later. I was so upset and i called Northampton court to complain about the company. They said i should file a statutory declaration which i've done. Apparently it should stop the bailiffs attempting to put on more charges but i need to call them and find out what happens otherwise. Do you what happens when you file a statutory declaration?

[PizzaMaker]

Did you complete a stat dec or an out of time stat dec?

What will happen is that the TEC will receive your stat dec and will inform the bailiff company (in some cases) or contact the council and ask for the case to be put on hold.

You should then hear within 21 days if your stat dec has been accepted or rejected.

[southeastlondon]

Hi
I was told by the lady at the court to complete both forms. One to say that i hadn't rec the notice to owner and the other to say that i did not rec the statutory declaration from the council. If they reject it do you know what happens next? Am i back to dealing with the bailiffs?

[Screw The Bailiff]

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

I was basically given the run around by both the office and the bailiff. Neither of them would give me a phone number to speak to anyone in administration and both of them kept asking me to pay it off now and discuss it later.

the bailiff might be trying to commit blackmail, its not allowed.

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

I was so upset and i called Northampton court to complain about the company.

This is how you make a complaint.

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

They said i should file a statutory declaration which i've done. Apparently it should stop the bailiffs

Its stops enforcement. Get a bailiff on your doorstep you call police on 999 and show the officer the stat dec.

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

attempting to put on more charges but i need to call them and find out what happens otherwise. Do you what happens when you file a statutory declaration?

Phone the creditor for a stat dec form. If they cant give you one, phone TEC.

[PizzaMaker]

Originally Posted by southeastlondon

Hi
I was told by the lady at the court to complete both forms. One to say that i hadn't rec the notice to owner and the other to say that i did not rec the statutory declaration from the council. If they reject it do you know what happens next? Am i back to dealing with the bailiffs?

Who was the council and what was your original fine?

If it gets rejected, then it will go back to the bailiff to collect.

[tomtubby]

Can you send me a private message ONLY with the name of the bailiff from Collect so that I can check if he is certificated.

What you have said here is identical to what our office hears every day. In this case they are attempting to charge and "attendance to remove" fee.

I am a bit surprised that Northampton told you to file an Out of Time as although this will freeze action it is only applicable if you have not received certain statutory notices, it should not be used merely to hold matters.

You need to be careful that you complete the form correctly so that the application is not rejected as this will enable the bailiff to return. We always recommend that a letter is sent to the local authority as well.

So many people complete these forms incorrectly, in particular the PE3. If you need any help please let me know.