Hi All, I have been helping one of employees out as he does not speak good English - and I have been in his position in the past. He has various debt which he is trying to resolve. One of these is council tax from several periods, at a previous property. One period had gone to DCA stage, a company called Ross and Roberts, the other part was threatening letters from Birmingham City Council. After trying to contact and reason with Ross and Roberts and failing due to awful tele clerks, I spoke to BCC and asked them to intervene. They worked out a repayment of 40.00 per week from the Ross and Roberts side, and 28.00 per week for the part still with Birmingham City Council. My employee paid both payments to Birmingham City Council, a total of 68.00 Per Week. As Ross and Roberts were never paid direct, that side of the debt escalated and an enforcement fee was thrown onto the amount (which was only 400 pound approx to begin with) of an additional 275.00 Ross and Robert had written to my employee saying that he needed to pay them, but the amount owed was to BCC. He didnt undertand this correctly. As it had got to this stage, the process went to enforcement. I contacted the Bailiff who stated that the minimum immediate payment would be 175.00 plus a payment plan. I contact them twice more to see if they can lower this to 100.00, but the ladty never called me back after she promised that she would. Is there anything that can be done? Rob

Hi Dx, Where is your thread?

Hi All, Im in the middle of dealing with BES at the moment. BES are targetting new businesses and new business owners, using these kind of tactics. Generally, these are small independent businesses - which are in their early years. The businesses are vital to the growth of the UK, and indeed one of the largest tax payers contributing to the country's economy. Its about time the government sat up and saw exactly what BES are doing. I would like to collate stories / statements from other people that have suffered from these guys, and present it to my MP (who is a client) - please let me know if you are interested. My twitter is besrip, lets get a proper conversation going.... Rob

Hi, Looks like I just got hit in exactly the same way - In between company brokering a deal, giving me incorrect prices, me - blind faith agreeing. Basically, as soon as I call BES to complain / get out of this contract, their response was enough for me to know I had been conned. I'm at the initial stage of writing letters to them, one contract is live, the other is supposed to go live next week. How on earth can this company still be operating like this?? Very disappointed after living in the wild east of Europe to return home to this kind of behaviour. Robtrader

Dear All, Looks like I got hit by BES also. Broker called me quoting figures I was already paying, told me I could benefit with a 35% saving with BES - I had just bought a Dry Cleaners and was keen to save. I was put over to BES who did their bit, verbally siging the contract. I realised today the broker was talking bull, and BES are charging 40% more. 60 month contract, 20000 pounds more than Im paying over that time. Having just moved back from Easter Europe, which I considered to be unregulated, I am incredibly dissapointed to have been tricked like this 2months after moving home. I had not heard anything about the Energy Mis Selling Scams, hence was taken in easily. After speaking to BES, they state that the contractual parts I agreed to correctly, which is all recorded - but they have nothing to do with the broker - so cant help. Yes, I should have checked my bills - but trusted the fact that the broker told me calls were recorded. The govenment need to look at this - I may have to make people redundant because of this - this will put the growth of my business at risk. Reading on the internet, I am absolutley disgusted that BES are allowed to do this. Most of all I am mad at myself for not seeing it, being too busy with my business, and just seeing the bottom line saving. Anyone got any suggestions where to start? I have already complained to the company verbally, I have already put the complaint in writing (all their emails addresses are bouncing back) R

BTW - made a donation, will do more once all completed.

Hi, Two of my Credit Card debts MBNA and Barclays have accepted a 30% offer on settlement. This comes to a total of around 6000 GBP - reduced to 1800. I still have two more to go, Of equal amount, but pretty confident they will capitulate. Will keep you advised - and thanks again.

Hi, After several letters to the court informing them that I had no UK address, and stating again that I was a Non UK Resident, copying in Black Horse's solicitor, on the 11th Feb (My Birthday) a letter was recieved from the law firm in question. It stated that Black Horse has taked a commercial decision to withdraw its case from the court. This was because I was a non UK resident, and it would be too costly to pursue me through local Croatian procedures. Attached to the back of the letter was a copy of the Notice Of Discontinuance dated 10-02-10. Happy Birthday! Many thanks to this site for assisting me in this matter, I wouldnt have done this without you - and I will be making a donation next week (please let me know how I do this) I also have around 15K of credit card debts, based from my time several years ago in the UK, of which I have taken the help of a debt assistance company. They have made arrangements with the credit card companies, which means I pay no interest, and a minimum payment, based on my available income, which is reviewed every six months. My plan is to stop paying these immediatley, and make an offer to settle these debts with each creditor, based on the knowledge they will not pursue me localy in Croatia. I am thinking 50% - any advice here? I work for myself, and pay myself through my company, so income can be whatever I like. Robtrader

Hi, I have heard from the court. Firstly I informed the court that the corresponding address they were using (my parents) can no longer be used, and I had no other UK address. Secondly, I informed them that I was a non resident. Calling the court today to find out progress, I am informed that the Judge has declared I must produce a UK address, and has sent this instuction in a letter to my parents address. I explained the situation with my foreign address, and they said it was unusual to correspond overseas. I'm not sure if the Judge just hasnt read the file properly, or in fact I'm missing something. Sureley I dont have to do anything of the sort.

Sorry - just read the notes on Statue Barred. Thanks

Thanks - Any ideas how long the debt stays live?

Hi - Just to let you know, I have supplied the court with a letter covering the fact I have no UK forwarding address, and that I am a non UK resident now, complete with my Registration Certificate abroad. This will be with a Judge next week, and they will let me know - I will let you know how it pans out. Rob

Thats great thanks - Ill let you know how I get on.

Regarding all of the above - going on the thread regarding CCJ's - this is all a moot point. The solitor is currently corresponding with a forwarding address in the UK. Sureley if I inform them and the court I am a non resident, this will stop any proceedings - the hearing is next year

It was paid off, but I dont think the second agreement included this amount - black horse realised their mistake months later and tried to reverse it. It is also worth noting that Black Horse would never (or so I would have thought) have opened up 2 agreements on one person at the same time.