I called havering magistrates back and was told the summons was served but to my old address. The lady told me she could not contact the enforcement officer direct and I should go through Philips. After a polite protestation she gave me the phone number for the North East London Enforcement office based in Stratford. I called them and gave the reference number. They said the debt had already been rescinded from Philips on the basis of me not living at the DVLA's registered address for the last three years. So it was back to the £175. After slight consideration I believe I am liable for not informing them of the change of ownership despite the used car company not upholding their end. So I've paid it. As for Philips Collection Services, the two abrupt, unhelpful conversations I had with them are two I'd rather forget. I can't believe the government appoint clowns like this. I am grateful to the speed with which this was handled. I was lucky to an extent that bailiffs were taken out of the equation and I was able to pay there and then. The government needs to bring in legislation to control these DCA' scumbags doing the dirty work. By law, the magistrates and enforcement officers numbers should be on the distress warrant clearly stating the full details and dates of the offence.It's tantamount to extortion. Thanks to all who offered assistance, it really makes a huge difference knowing there's people there with no vested interest giving free time when you are at your most vulnerable.

Date of Conviction.Jan 2009 Address where the summons had been sent: My old address Amount of fine. £175 Reference Number for the case: I have this now I spoke to Havering council today who gave me the information. I sold my car in a part exchange and completed the deal without the log book for my car (or notifying the DVLA). I did sign a bill of sale provided by the company. This was obviously short sighted and an error on my part. The detail after becomes a little blurred. From what I can gather, the used car company did not register themselves as the new owner. The court records show in January 2009 I was charged (£175) with 'failing to deliver to the secretary of state the transfer of a vehicle to a person who was not a vehicle trader'. That is para phrased from my scrawl but was essentially what I was informed over the phone. I had moved out of the address the DVLA had on record for me at the end of 2008. As such did not receive any correspondence about the charge. The court record record shows I failed to attend a court hearing in November 2009 and the hearing was adjourned. The debt was passed to Philips only last week. I spoke to the magistrates court who said I need a Statement of Declaration but the soonest they can make an appointment is 10th February in two weeks! The lady on the phone assured me she would be requesting the local enforcement office put a hold put on the case in the mean time. I asked her for more information regarding what I'm actually being accused of, dates etc and was told there is no record of the summons actually being served. She's looking into it and should hear back from them in a couple of hours. Finally I called the DVLA to find out what they have on record about the car was told by an extremely snooty call center employee they would not be able to give me any information as the case had gone to the bailiffs and I should submit a dispute with them.. This doesn't exactly put me at ease with the 7 day deadline looming and after hearing the stories of the bailiff companies continuing to add charges and clamping cars.

Thanks for the reply, their web address has one 'L' philips.org.uk and appears to be legit. I will be phoning the court in the morning and see if they can tell me where this came from.

Today I received via post a 'Notice of Distress Warrant' from Philips Bailiff Agents (of Darlington, philips.org.uk). It demands £250 within SEVEN days, is not dated and references instruction from "North East London" (as shown below) which is not even a magistrates court. I don't even know where to begin, I have no idea what the fine is for as I'm always prudent with anything of this nature and I have not received any previous letters. The fact it states within seven days is also a concern despite it being the first I've heard of it. I have two young children at home with my partner while I'm at work so find this stressful, which is what they intend to induce payment no doubt. Upon phoning Philips I was told the fine was issued over fourteen months ago and was passed to them last week to recover the money.. She said she did not have the name of the court who issued the fine just a reference number provided by said court. Just a date and a reference number that's all I have to go on and less than 7 days to unravel it - apparently Is this legal? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The letter is not dated and states: You are hereby given formal notice that we are in receipt of a Distress Warrant for non-payment of a Magistrates' fine and we have been instructed by North East London to execute the warrant with immediate effect. The warrant directs us to collect full payment from you or remove goods to sell at public auction to clear the outstanding debt owed to the court plus our costs. Unless the full amount including costs as shown above is paid within 7 days we will attend your premises to seize and remove goods without further notice. Your failure to settle this fine in full could result in one or more of the following 1. An attendance fee of £200 will be added to your account when we attend your premises 2. The bailiff may force entry to your premises to execute this warrant (under the DVCV Act) 3. Your household goods and/or vehicle can be removed and sold at auction (£200 + Storage Costs)