I did say I am not sure whether it applies to HB .... So cheers for the correction.

Set up a new bank account and type up a letter to all 6 companies offering a re-payment plan, don't worry and don't stress. It's not that bad okay , we all muck up, I owe money to people and have about 7 debt collection companies writing to me but I am not stressing at all because they have no powers any way. You don't need to tell your boyfriend, its your business and if he found out and dumped you he wouldn't be the right man for you any way, my other half laughs at me and says i'm silly. you MUST stop stressing . xx I pay all mine £5 a month and that keeps them off my back lol

The debt is now 7 years old so is statute barred, they shouldn't be chasing you for this. Type up a formal letter and send it to them, don't pay them a penny. B and S can't do anything, the worst they can do is knock on your door. Don't answer and park your car a few streets away, after a few attempts they will chuck the debt back to the council any way, I don't see why you should have to pay this , when debts are 6 years old they get written off , not sure if this applies to HB , you need to look in to this x

I have had one of these before because of an old catalogue account, don't worry about it, just scare tactics. If I had a pound every time they threatened n me with 'legal action' etc I would be rich ! These companies like to think they have all these powers and they don't which is why the throw big words in to letters in an attempt to frighten people. Send it back to them with a typed up letter stating that you do not owe such debt and if they continue to harrass you you will start legal proceedings. That is what I would do personally

Just don't worry , there is nothing they can actually do, they don't have a leg to stand on and they are making a last ditch attempt to get some money from you l.Forget about if you can cause they are not worth worrying about at all. I hate DCA , they literally have no powers just big words, my nan got one one day because of BT passing it on to them, she was in a right state, crying etc because the letter threatened court action, it's all bull**** and I hate what they do, they are just like loan sharks. Take care x

Type up a good letter informing then that you have seeked legal advice and that you have found that they legally have no right to harrass you for money for this debt as it is now statue barred and if you continue to receive these letters /calls then you will start legal action against them - that should do the trick

Hope you get it sorted , don't worry okay. Like the poster above said, after 6 years a debt is statue barred so legally they don't have a leg to stand on, DCA buy these debts from companies and they know they have 6 years to collect it or they lose money which is why they are trying to get money from you, I seriously wouldn't bother with it I prob did get lucky lol but I have had issues with DCA in the past and they have NEVER took me to court or sent bailiffs, they rarely do. I set up payment plans with them at like £10 a month . They say all this in letters to frighten people and get them to pay up.

I would just tell them the person they are looking for don't live there any more, stuff them ! Had to do that before for my husband as he had a £2000 debt chasing him from his ex wife's credit card, I told them they had the wrong address and to basically go away and they did ! Naughty I know but stuff them they can't do a lot.

They won't send bailiffs. Just a threat ! x

Thanks for all your replies everyone, just need some advice on it and what the next step is I should take. I was thinking of just emailing them and the Council in the same email offering £100 per month, will totally ignore the employment info, thanks all. I will try and get it scanned today and post it up, it must be a new tactic because my friend had to deal with B and S 4 months ago with Council Tax arrears and she said she never had them form sent to her. It says at the top - "REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION " It is a criminal offence if you fail to complete and return this form or supply us with false information. YOU MAY BE LIABLE FOR A FINE OF UP TO £1000 Once competed please return this form to us immediately in the envelope provided . Part 1 - List the sources of your income here (Address of employer) benefits etc Part 2 List your partners income here (Address of employer) benefits etc Now provide us with both National Insurance numbers Sign.......... X

Hey all. I had the dreaded letter yesterday from Bristow and Suitor demanding £1100 in Council Tax arrears or I can arrange a payment plan. They also attached a form declaring that it is 'A Criminal offence not to supply information and you could be fined £1000. Personally I think they are using scare tactics, I knew it was a criminal offence not to supply Council with your employment details but surely not Bailiffs? I could chose to totally ignore them and I wouldn't get in any trouble , is this right? I am not sure what to do now, I want to set up an arrangement but can only afford £100 month, anyone had to deal with this before as this is the first time for me and it's stressing me the hell out! I do intend to ignore the employment details as it's none of their business in my opinion, Thanks x

Hey there I am in arrears with my Council Tax for £1000, I had a payment plan set up for £100 a month which I thought I could afford, I missed the payment and emailed Council Tax to get the amount lowered, they have just told me that they have passed this to Bristow and Suitor Debt Collectors. This is the first time I have got into this situation and I want some advice on how to deal with it. Can I refuse to pay them and just continue to pay the Council . My friend was in a similar situation and stupidly invited them into her house, she said they want a silly amount of money each month cause they say they only have 6 months to pay the Council Tax back? I am a bit worried as I have 2 small children and husband is at work 80% of the time, our car is only worth £500 and he needs it to go to work, just worried that they will take it etc. Anyone got any advice on how to deal with these people? I won't let them in the house but shall I try and arrange a plan with them when I receive the letter, if it's too high and they won't lower it shall I just pay the Council Directly and ignore them or will I go to prison etc. Thanks