They are not able to get an arrest warrant (at this stage anyway probably not at all for council tax for someone who is financially unable to pay a bailiffs exhorbitant demands that are more than someones weekly income), that would be "in extremis" to deal with a persistent won't pay, who has the money but will not pay like a protesting pensioner. They threaten this to get you to pay up Follow ploddertom's advice and keep all the doors/windows including the porch locked, along with any sheds or garages.

Are the council and bailiffs making it up as they go along now, or have they acted legally taking the car?

Martin Lewis did OK, and wasn't fazed in the least by the DCA industry representative who said NONE of their members ever did anything like what has been alleged, no they were all squeaky clean in his book. It was mentioned that bailiffs are different animals also.

Didn't read it out though, he should have done as it illustrates just how bad these DCAs can be

Martin Lewis (MSE)was on Vine was quite probing and there were several horror stories along with someone harassed by a DCA acting on behalf of HMRC who phoned the landline and mobile simultaneously....

Jeremy Vine is on about DCA tactics Now on Radio 2

Show plod your ID and tell him that if he assists the bailiff with an illegal seizure, they are complicit in theft, as the alleged debtor is not a resident at this address. Tell them you will be complaining to your local councillor, MP Chief Constable, and may well be seeking action against the bailiffs and their employers for compensation for the mistaken identity.

He may well wander up the drive and poke around the garden, make sure nothing is on display and your shed/garage is locked securely, with windows obscured to prevent him looking in. He may be a complete plank and levy on your neighbours car or other goods if it is on a shared drive though

If you can't find your councillor on the council website, you can find them and contact them from the write to them site at www.writetothem.com Thesr antics from councils and bailiffs with regard to disabled people is obnoxious in the extreme, and MP's should be being lobbied to end this scandal imho try not to worry the gang on here will help you sort it out

True but plod may take the bailiffs side, and assist the bailiff in an illegal entry and levy and increase the stress on OP, best to at least try to sort it as it will make the council and bailiffs look more stupid later

No OP's wife thought losing a case they have brought with the bailiff as defendant would give her a CCJ which it won't. I am aware that a CCJ won't be registered if the amount of judgment is paid within 28 days. The point is we are reassuring OP that a CCJ would not result for a judge finding against them.

No as per ploddertom's post she won't get a CCJ if she loses. If that was the case, debt collection agencies and bailiffs would lose their licences, and they would be out of business and not pursuing debtors if they got a CCJJ every time they lose a case in the County Court.

Ditto, but make sure you keep all records of YOUR payments, for Council Tax, (and rent if you are a tenant private as well as council/RSL), as they are often so inefficient,and/or incompetent the counciil will obtain a liability order for this person and send bailiffs also.

Easy way to find who is Councillor and MP is to go to http://www.writetothem.com and enter the postcode, you can send a letter to them via email direct from the site

Well they didn't follow the code of practice here did they............................

The absolute arrogance of those who attempt to collect the uncollectable by fear. Make sure you record any phone calls to bailiff and council, as when you are sorted out I'm sure your MP and other authorities including the police would be most interested

Excellent, you can attach the written evidence to anything sent to CEO, Councillor, MP when and if required, as the council is liable for the actions of the bailiff, it sometimes helps to remind them of this

Might be a good idea to get the other witness to write down what they saw, as in bailiff adding items willy nilly without seeing them or taking consideration of your obviously vulnerable status. It might be worth a punt if you need to complain to CEO and Head of Revenues, Councillor, MP et al later

make that a ditto from me. BTW to find who your elected representatives are you can always go to http://www.writetothem.com where you can enter your postcode to find their details and write to them directly.

Complain complain complain, telling you to sell your car is as abhorrent as the bailiff telling you to borrow money (as has hapenned ) to pay them A letter to the Chairman of the council, asking the standards committee to investigate may be an option. Again is Walsall Council a Capita/equita stitch up, as there could be grounds for these cosy arrangements to be investigated. possibly under EU legislation.

Hold fire a little, and see what further advice may be forthcoming, It's good to have them on the backfoot for once, but more legal action should be avoided if possible, as it may mean they start assing more obnoxious fees wherther they are entitled to or not

If they have overcharged you for the previous addrfess and then gained a liability order , they may be on a sticky wicket, glad you have recorded the call as it may well be useful later, bailiffs seem to make it up as they go along with collusion from the council. Others will be able to advise further

Even if it was from before, Op is now potentially vulnerable, under the guidelines and should inform the Council, and bailiffs of this , as deductions from benefit are appropriate under those circumstances. Others will be able to help further

open the envelope and check what is written there, as this will have a bearing on the advice, you will likely have to post up the details, so that you can get the best advice for the situation.

Never let them in, as unless they gain peaceful entry, they cannot break in or use a locksmith to pick your lock. the police if they bother to attend are not supposed to actively help the bailiff, they are merely there to keep the peace. They are like vampires in that they have virtually no power unless you invite them in. Did he give you anything in writing? If he did did you sign it? You need to contact the council and ask them how much the Liability Order is for Don't worry there are people on here who can point you in the right direction