Is he claiming that he DID enter? Would he swear (on oath) to that effect?

Since when has having no licence (and therefor no bond) actually stopped these robbers and thugs? OVER HALF of all bailiffs have no licence !

I suggest you hang on to it ... always KEEP the evidence !

This is just a threat - remember the Magistrates have the power to write-off some or all of your debt if you cannot pay ! Persue the illegal charges route and they would not dare to proceed with this.

Great News ! What everyone should realise (and you clearly have) is that it's no good having right and the law on your side unless you are prepared to follow-up and insist that the law is obeyed. Hopefull the police conduct in this matter will become common knowledge (amongst them) and lead to a different approach in future.

Then the WPO is invalid, surely? You can't have an unauthorised bailiff to do a WP and then get someone (outside?) to "agree" what was unlawful in the first place?

I wonder why he didn't renew his Certificate then? The "bond" (which is normally covered by an insurance policy) is normally paid for by the bailiff firm. If he did not renew till February (and may not have actually renewed at all !) then all work done during that period is illegal.

Glad to hear that it helped. Did you check which bailiff firm it was for? His certification needs to be for the SAME firm that he is currently working for.

That's right. I believe the number to check his certification is 020 7189 2491. You just tell them you want to check a bailiffs Certification and they will tell you the name of the Court that issued his Certificate (if any) and the date it expires. Also check the firm that he is working for with that on the database and make sure they tally ! They will need his name (including first name) and the firm he is working for. (If you don't have his first name either contact the bailiff firm or him directly and ask - that will put the frighteners up them as they will know what you are doing !!!!) Just one word of caution - their records are usually pretty accurate but there can be slight delays with updating their database (ie if he has been Certificated within the last couple of weeks it may not be on there yet).

... and the Judge would then be looking at what they were trying to charge ... so I doubt they will follow THAT route ! The reason they are persuing you is that they know they are on dodgy ground by any legitimate method. Bullying may work !

Around HALF of all bailiffs are NOT Certificated (which they need to be to enforce Council Tax debts). Anyone working without Certification is breaking the law. Naturally, the Council just want a result - so don;t really care (even though they have a duty of care). The bailiff will fob you off by showing some ID card (which anyone can knock-up on a computer ! A genuine Certificate will be signed by a Judge and will be stamped by the Court. They are valid for 2 years, and will specify the firm the bailiff is working for (when Certification was applied for). If they have chenged employment the Certificate should be cancelled and a new one applied for ... therefor if your bailiff is working for firm A, but his Certificate says he is working for firm B, then its invalid and not lawful.

I doubt very much that this is legal. I agree with the above poster - any "fees" are added AFTER the LO has been obtained (and if you paid immediately would obviously noit attract fees anyway). What was the legislation that they quoted? Councils rarely know much about this section of the law - and if you approach another council member you will probably get an entirely different answer ! One good thing, though - is that the bailiff will have to justify the fees and that can be checked.

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You are right - as a step, it's worth taking.

Not this one ! - all this "regulatory bodies" set-up by the bailiff associations are basically there to find them not guilty of anything !

Did you not tell the Council that you are on benefits (and therefor the amount that they can deduct is limited by law)?

The police - in some areas - are wising-up to the fraud possibilities here, and not always giving their usual "its a civil matter" answer. After all, what better way for a conman to gain entry that simply saying "I'm a bailiff" in the safe knowledge that even if the debtor rings the police they will refuse to attend !!!

... are you sure? How is anyone to know how long they have been working? Certificated bailiffs - enforce a variety of debts on behalf of organisations such as local authorities. They can seize and sell your goods to cover the amount of the debt you owe. They also hold a certificate which enables them, and them alone, to levy distress for rent, road traffic debts, council tax and non-domestic rates. They cannot enforce the collection of money due under High Court or county court orders. >>> taken from - About Bailiffs and Enforcement Officers

Further info on "changes" (ie employment) to a bailiff's Certificate - 7. (1) A [certificate] shall, unless cancelled, have effect for the period of two years from the date of its grant. [7A]. (1) In this rule “relevant details” means a bailiff’s name, address or other written information appearing on the certificate (***). (2) If there is any change in the relevant details, the bailiff shall without delay give written notice of the change to the issuing county court and produce his certificate (“the old certificate”) to the court officer of the issuing county court. (3) When a bailiff gives notice and produces the old certificate in accordance with paragraph (2) above, the Judge of the issuing county court shall issue to the bailiff a replacement certificate reflecting the change in the relevant details but in all other respects (including, without limitation, the date of expiry of the certificate) the same as the old certificate. (4) When a replacement certificate is issued in accordance with paragraph (3) above, the court officer shall retain and cancel the old certificate. (5) No fee shall be payable for the issue of a replacement certificate inaccordance with this rule.] All taken from - http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/distress/annb.pdf (***) - ie the name of the firm he works for ! Obviously, if a bailiff has not changed his Certificate - he's probably not renewed his "bond" and has no authority.

Absolutely not ! He should hand in his Certificate and apply for a new one (for his new firm). If this is not done then his "bond" will not be honoured. Being Certificated with one firm - but then leaving and working for another - means his Certificate is unlawful, and he has, in fact, no authority at all.

No - It's Not ! Bailiff should hand in (surrender) his Certificate if he leaves his job and apply again in the name of his new firm. If he is "passing off" a certificate for an old firm he has no certificate (or authorisation) at all !

An old trick - to try and gain entry (under false pretences)

He has not been into your house - so no levy made there. You said he did a levy on a vehicle that does not belong to you - so that's not a legal levy (as they can only levy on things that belong to YOU). If he has forged your signature (to imply that you accept this illegal levy) then he is committing an offence.

He has FORGED your signature - thats NOT a legal levy. Either make a complaint to the police and Court, or just accept that you are going to let him get away with forgery and deception.

... and ONLY if the bailiff is Certificated (a requirement of the contract by HMCS).