Hello my son who is an aspergers sufferer took out membership with a local gym (paid for with his disability money as he is at college) to help build his confidence and hopefully make new friends. He went for a few months and then as he turned 18 his disability money was stopped through no fault of his own and he therefore couldn't afford to pay it anymore..he doesn't work as he is still at college two days a week. The gym sold his *debt* to a DCA and now they are constantly ringing day in day out for the money...he lives with his nan and it was her number the gym had and so therefore its her getting the calls. I have explained to the gym the situation yet these bullies still continue to try and get the money..where does he stand legally if anywhere at all please??

My son, rather stupidly, allowed his friend to ride his motorbike and he was involved in an accident with a car. My son was devastated, the bike was his pride and joy. The police were called and his friend is likely to be prosecuted. The bike, which was in my husbands name, has been repaired and sold to a colleague who is fully aware of what happened. Today my husband has received a letter from Privilege Motor Claims saying their customer has reported the incident to them and given them my husband's details. They have been in contact with his insurance company and understand that he has not reported the incident to them and asking him to do so as soon as possible, reminding him of his duty under the Road Traffic Act to report any incident he is involved in. Now, obviously he hasn't reported it because he hasn't been involved in any accident. I would really appreciate any advice you can give as to what we do now. Should my husband just reply saying he hasn't been involved in an incident, should he ignore it or should he give them my son and his friends details?

Hi, I have disabilities not that it really matters in this case, but my son purchased a child ticket of £2.10 instead of adult £4.20 due to insufficient funds, he needed to get home to me quickly. The Collections Officer asked his name, age at first he did say he was younger, but panicked and said No I am sorry I am 18 but didn't have enough money for a adult ticket and need to get home to my mum. He was then asked his name and address and cautioned. By this time my son was in a real state and asked what it meant, the guy just chanted the caution again and said sign for your name and address and gave him slip of paper. All this before he even set foot on the train!. He was stopped at the barrier! Is this fair should you get taken to court before even being told you have to pay a penalty fine.

Hi hope yous can help or point me in the right direction. My son just found this out by accident His wife when opening their mail yesterday by mistake open one addressed to the landlord she never noticed the name until after. It was from the bank to their landlord threatening repossessing due to arrears on his mortgage He's worried that they will be evicted asap as they only have a rolling agreement have told him to phone the rental company that acts on behave of their landlord first thing on Monday and too get the letter to them right away and let them deal with it. He thinks its his fault as he gets his most of his rent payed direct to the rental agency by the council which is always late and he does have some rent arrears of his own due to having to find the rest of his rent but I helped him sort out a payment plan with the rental company for these which I pay through my bank account every two weeks for him and have never missed(so as there is a payment record). Have been on the Shelter Scotland web site got some good advice from it but he keeps thinking due to the arrears they can use this to evict him right away.

Please delete this thread. Thanks. Owen.

Hi All, hope some kind person can help me, my husband receives JSA and also claims for me, we receive 112.60 weekly along with HB and CTB, up until last week I also received child tax credit and child benefit for him, this has now stopped as he has reached 20, he still has another year to complete at college and the only money he receives is a bursary of £110 every 3 months which pays for a bus pass to travel to and from college which is over 3 miles away. We are not in a financial position to be able feed and get essentials for the 3 of us on that amount of money we get weekly, my son has been trying to get a part time job for over 12 months but most ask for experience, he took up voluntary work to gain retail experience but so far hasn't received any replies from jobs he has applied for, he will be applying to go to uni when his course finishes next year, Sorry its a bit long winded but trying to explain best I can,

Will try to explain as best I can. I have 3 children technically living at home. The eldest is 17, at college and we receive lower rate DLA for him due to his rather severe learning and behavioural difficulties. Clearly because he's over 16 it goes into his bank account and I take it to pay for his odds and ends, (in theory the bits he breaks when having a paddy etc) We also get some Housing Benefit, some Tax Credits and his Child Benefit. Nearly 2 weeks ago he steamed out of home and has refused to come back so far. There is a girl involved and I'm pretty certain when it fizzles out he'll be home. He has a contract mobile that I pay for so he is in contact sporadically, when demanding I give him money or take his stuff to him (which I have refused to do). I think he's living in a flat with a known drug user. I can't be 100% sure. I know they've been served with an eviction notice which they're fighting. I'd consider him 'vulnerable' but Social Services don't agree with me. Clearly, if he doesn't live here I can't claim his benefits, however I'm pretty certain he'll be home within 6 weeks. How long can I wait before informing the appropriate agencies before I start committing fraud? If I give it another 2 weeks would that be ok do you think?

My 18 year old son leaves 6th form this year, he is talking about going to college for a year, full time art/design course. Will I still get child benefit/tax credits & housing benefit with him as a dependent or is 18 the cut off point?

Hello My son is 29 and is currently living with us. He had moved into a house of his own a few years ago but became unemployed and put the house on the market just as the credit crunch and housing market crashed. The house remained empty for 2 years and we managed to pay his mortgage and council tax for part of the time but eventually our finances no longer permitted it. We contacted the council and told them that the property was standing empty but we were struggling to find a buyer. They waived the council tax for 6 months only. Chris is suffering from a form of depression - he rarely leaves the house - the last time was before Christmas. He doesn't even sign on for JSA. Luckily my husband and I both have good jobs. Last year, he had a visit at our address from a bailiff (he didn't answer the door but a letter was pushed through) regarding his council tax arrears. I presume they took our address from the electoral roll. A further letter followed warning of imprisonment. An appointment had been made for him to attend but he couldn't leave the house so I got him to authorise me to deal with the council and I explained everything to the lady there. I said that, if the council sent me an itemised account of what was owing, from when and what had been paid already (because it was much more than it should have been), I would contact her with an offer of repayment. I presume either Chris had received communications from the court or the had been sent to his old address where the council tax was owed from. I didn't receive any documents but I emailed the lady I'd spoken to at Capita and offered to repay the debt at £20 per month, asking again for an itemised bill and bank details so I could arrange a standing order. That was in October last year. 2 weeks ago, Chris received 3 separate letters with different amounts, from Equita, demanding payment or they would visit and seize goods. After a couple of days he received 3 further letters (in the same post), saying they were going to visit over the weekend with a van. We decided to wait and see if anyone came - we thought it might be interesting as this is not Chris's house, everything in it is in my husband's name (he's Chris's step-dad so our name is different) and we have always paid our council tax in full. Nobody came. I think my husband was disappointed to be honest Yesterday Chris received 3 more letters (presumably trying to maximise on their charges). The amounts are £548, £769 and £855. My husband is certain that the amount outstanding is much less than this and that some payments have not been deducted. He is currently going through all the old paperwork which was in the loft. I think the thing that angers me most is that I've already informed the council that this is OUR property, Chris is staying here but has no real disposable assets - the TV and computer he uses were bought by us. He earns zero per month and doesn't leave the house because he's unwell. I have offered to pay the money at £20 per month, which is more than they would get if Chris were on JSA but got no reply. We have no intention of dealing with bailiffs or paying them charges x 3! The original demand last year was for a single sum. Can someone advise me the best way to proceed with this please? Thanks. Sorry for the long-windedness. Glynisd

My Son was pulled by the Police on 7/01/13 for driving with no insurance. He was unaware of the fact because we pay the premiums, or unfortunately not in this case, as the payment was bounced by our bank for insufficient funds and the insurer cancelled the policy. Is there any mitigation or precedent that can be used in his defence? Advice / comments will be very usefull at this stage.

the school my son attends ,wont be letting him stop on as he has been a problem pupil. i am a single dad,but i am worried when he leaves school, his tax credits will stop and i will have just £71 a week to keep us both,which would be inpossible,would there be any other benefits i could claim,when i asked my advisor at the work programe,she said i would not get any thing as he wont be in full time education.

Hi all My son has received a penalty fare notice letter from revenue protection support services based in Portsmouth, saying that he travelled from Lancing to Shoreham (southern railway) and did not have a ticket on 28/11/12 The problem is my son (17yrs) does not go out unless he is with me or his dad and I know he was asleep all day as I was home with him (he was up all night gaming have that as evidence on his playstation gamer log thing) Obviously i have no evidence to show that he was in bed or with me as we were both at home. Pluss as my son said why would he go to either lancing or shorham he does not know any one there or even where it is, even though it is just down the road. Does anyone know how the appeal process works and what I can do? any help advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I need some help please, this is quite involved but I will start at the beginning. On Tuesday 20th at 06-50 I awoke to see someone outside on my drive fiddling with my car, I got up and went outside to find it clamped and faced by a very aggressive bailiff from Marston Group in respect of a debt for my son, who does not live at our address and for whom I cannot recall seeing any previous communication or correspondence in respect of this matter. He advised that he had a distress warrant and openly acknowledged that althoughI was not the named person (as he knew that the Date of Birth of my son, (he is21 whereas I am 50 !) I advised him my son was not and did not live here and he stated he did not care as the debt £445.00 was registered to this address and therefore he was going take the car placing a sticker on the window. I advised that this was not going to happen, nor would I let him into the houseand that I would call the police as the car belonged to me and I could provide proof of ownership (V5 and purchase receipt in my name). I went back into the house and copied the two documents went back outside but he would not talk to me, advising that he had called the police and would get them to sort this out. I also called the police but they refused to attend as this was not a civil matter. Nothing occurred for the next 2 and ½ hours i then had to go out, going outside my car still clamped, I went to talk to him in his car and advised him that I needed to go out. Fortunately we have use of two vehicles, he manoeuvred his car to block my exit but when I reversed he did actually move his car. I returned home later in the day to find that the clamp had been removed from my car and a Final notice letter addressed to my son placed through the letterbox. See Copy) I was clearly concerned I wrote to Marston group and sent a letter by recorded delivery that evening. Yesterday morning Saturday 06-55 I am woken by the doorbell ringing, hard knocking on the door and a female shouting through the letterbox that it is the police, I (foolishly) opened the door and was immediately pushed passed by what I thought was a police officer (due to her comments and dress), only to see behind her the male bailiff from the previous visit. I immediately slammed the door preventing him entering and then blocked the passage of the female in order to prevent her from entering any further into my house other than the entrance hall. I advised her that she was trespassing and had fraudulently misrepresented herself and that I was calling the police, to advise them of a break in which I did, s he stated that she did not care and that I had ‘Invited her in and she was an enforcemen toffice from Marston Group here to collect a debt on behalf of my son and she had a distress warrant. She refused to talk with me until the police arrived, but rang her colleague on the doorstep to advise of her situation which was perfectly safe as we had both accepted that the police would sort this matter out, two patrol cars, bluelights flashing, with four officers arrive and one asks me to move away and come and talk to him in the kitchen, I detail what had occurred, he then goes and speaks with her and returns to say this is a civil matter and apparently according to her ‘I pulled her into the house’ therefore she had obtained peaceful entry therefore she could go about her business and enforce the distress warrant. Based on the above, my wife and I were faced with no choice other than topay the £445.00, which we did by debit card, advising and witnessed by the police that we were paying under duress and that for which we accepted no responsibilityfor the debt. So, to summarise my position, at no time has my son been present, thebailiff forced entry into my property. I should point out that I am unemployed and on Jobseekers allowance, therefore I really cannot afford to pay this money and need advice as to what action I can take in order to recover this money.

Hi everyone, I am helping my son and his wife sort out their finances and came across their Brighthouse items. My son had an accident and is not currently working and his misses has just given birth. They have 4 accounts running at the moment which includes are the add on insurances. After reading some of the posts on here they will need DLC as they don't have any contents insurance or is there a cheaper policy that will be better? They also have service cover on all of the items which after reading is a huge con, I want them to cancel this and can this be claimed back? Do brighthouse have any PPI included in their agreements as the last couple neither of them have been working when they signed the agreements? Sorry for all the questions. JJ

Hi All im in the process of claiming unfair dismissal and i have a tribunal date for the 12th dec. i now have to....set out in writing a remedy the tribunal is being asked to award. Now i don't want my job back but being a single mum of 3 children i feel i would find it impossible to get another job to suite within the foreseeable future. im just really seeking advise on WHAT i should claim for financially ? do i put that i have still 30 years of employment left and ask for 30 years wages? i really don't know. also debts that ive taken on whilst employed that i cannot now pay? Please advise me as i only have 2 weeks to respond. i have been to the CaB today who couldn't advise me and also to my local advise centre who said the same. i just don't want to look cheeky by claiming for loads. thanks in advance

Hello All, My 16 year old son was at home babysitting my 5 year old autistic grandson while his mother popped to the Doctors. A man came to the door and asked to speak to his parents and he explained they were at work. The Bailiff said and I quote "Well son, you need to get them on the phone right now as a van full of men are on there way round now to take all your goods" My son very very anxious ( he is a quiet shy boy ) stuttered that he dare not ring us at work he might get in trouble, but the baliff persisted at the door becoming louder each time stating over and over the men in the van were on their way and would take goods whether his parents were there or not. MY son explained that is was 3.50pm and Dad ( my husband ) finished work at 4 and would be here soon and the baliff just said "lets hope he gets back in time" My son came inside, burst into tears which set off my 5 year old grandson having a meltdown and my son and he tried to call us at work. I was in mweeting without my mobile, but husband managed to pick up his phone, finished work straight away and ran home. My husband seeing our son in bits and my grandson having a meltdown was very anxious and angry. He explained to the baliff the story ( see below ) but the baliff would not except ANY payment unless it was the full amount and failure to do so within the next five minutes meant he would clamp our car and that would cost even more. About the debt: Council Tax, 3 weeks worth £125 from last year which we did not realise we had missed until 14 days ago when the council tax people sent a letter saying they had passed to a baliff. We rang the council and they gave us the baliffs number. We rang the number but without a case number they could do nothing and the lady at the council said we would here about it in the post from the baliffs first. 14 days later, not letter from Baliffs but this visit that happened today. My husband today explained to the baliff that his wife ( me ) handled the bank accounts and he was trying to ring me to ask which bank to take it from, but of course I was in a meeting. IN the end, because the baliff was trying to clamp the car my husband rang our office and got someone to disturb me in the meeting. I Spoke to the baliff on the phone and trust me he was not listening when I explained we had received no letter. He said that everyone says that, and this infuriated me. I did not know at this stage how he had spoken to my son. I gave my husband the instructions on the account we had money in. Payday not until 28th we had only 340 left and the baliff took £330. I agree, I should have maybe tried to contact the baliffs again and again to say not recieved letter yet, but I didnt. I was not aware it could ge this agreesive. I know have my son so upset he wont stop shaking. My daughter has took her son home in complete frenzy and the whole family in shock. Can this happen?

My son suffers from Anxiety, Depression and Agoraphobia among other things, He's gone through all the usual stuff so far, failing his ATOS medical, appealing and succeeding and has been placed in the WRAG and I am currently appealing on his behalf to be placed in the support group and have been waiting months as usual for a reply. I called to check on the status of his appeal since getting a letter about his interview and now they have no record of it, even after calling up months ago to check they had indeed recieved it. However I am more concerned about this interview, originally we were told it was possible for a home visit but this has turned out to be false and he is being forced into going to his first work related interview next monday at the job centre. He has already had this deferred once already and now they are adamant that he has to go next week. There is no way he is going to be able to go and the thought it is already affecting him and making him shake/panic and worry, I am wondering what i can do if anything about this interview?

Some help please - no judgements about the situation please, I feel bad enough already. bailiffs I have a darling son, recently turned 18, who was fined £100 and given community service for a offence - this happened in 2010. He was not living with me at the time, staying with mates etc, however had given my address as his address. He did not comply with the community service and was taken back to court last month, where the fine was re issued as was the community service. This year Phillips have been writing to him at my home and calling my telephone. I informed them he was not living at my address, but they persisted in making calls etc until I was slightly rude to them. They state he owes £399 for the fine issued in 2010. My son went back to court last month about this matter - the community service and the fine were re issued, with him having to pay £20 per month. I have paid £50, which is half and intend paying the rest as he is not working or claiming benefits. I think as the original fine was re issued, and he is complying with the payment plan, Phillips are not owed anything, as the court has reconsidered this matter, re issued the fine with a payment plan. Can anyone advise me if this is correct? Also, when he lived with his dad in 2008 he received a fine of about £60 for another matter - he was 14 at the time. His dad did not tell me about the fine or pay it and Phillips have written to my address, the letter is addressed to his father and the parent / guardian. Do I have to pay this fine? I have never had a letter addressed to me telling me about the fine from the court or Phillips. I think because they know he is currently at my address, this is why they are trying to enforce this fine. Can he go back to the court that issued the fine, as he is now a adult and ask for a payment plan? He does not own anything in my home - there is a telly and music in his room, but I bought them and they belong to me. He is likely to go back to his mates when his bail is lifted. Please can I get some advice - I am frightened of opening the door or having the windows open, in case these hencemen get into my home and take MY belongings. Many thanks all

I need advice please. My son has not lived with me since 2005 but has lived in a series of shared houses. He is currently away travelling in S America until some time in August and his mail is being re-directed to me, which I am opening and emailing him about as necessary. This week a Council Tax demand arrived, not redirected though, but addressed here, from Brighton Council. (I live in Worthing and am under their Council - my C Tax is up to date.) It seems that he is now being pursued for outstanding Council Tax due 2007-2010 for 2 addresses he lived at. Other tenants are also on the bills but I know they have all moved on, mostly back to their home countries. The third address he is solely liable for as he lived alone, which is fine. The next day I opened another letter, from Ibis Services, bailiffs, stating that Liability Orders had been granted for the tax for the 2 shared houses, totalling £1355.19 which unless paid within 7 days would result in the matter being passed to the bailiffs to enforce. I immediately phoned the number given and explained the situation - that my son does not live with me, this is only his postal address at present. I said I would inform him of the demands. I understand about joint and several liability. A hold was then put on bailiff action for four weeks and 3 days - to 15th August. By that date he has to make an arrangement to pay or this will be passed to the bailiffs. Surely they cannot do this? I have nothing to do with my son's Council Tax - he is 33 yrs old! His possessions are in storage. I feel very threatened and frightened by this hanging over me. If I had not opened his mail the first I would have known of this would have been the arrival of the bailiffs! Please help.

Help, my son received a notice of prosecution for incorrectly using a child ticket (he's just 18!) from First Capital Connect. He admitted the offence and wrote a sincere letter of apology for his actions and asked to not be prosecuted because of extenuating circumstances, reading difficulties, youth, stupidity and never having committed an offence previously. A letter arrived today dated 3 days ago asking for him to get in contact at his earliest convenience. I have tried the number all day on his behalf, because I wanted the Prosecutions department to know that he was away, could not be contacted and would be in touch as soon as he got back on Monday. I've left messages on the answerphone, but no-one has got back. I then rang FCC customer relations and the man I spoke to said that if I can't get through he should go and see them in person. Does anyone know whether this would help reduce the possibility of him being prosecuted? I am very afraid for him, he is not the sharpest knife in the box and a criminal conviction will reduce his already small chances in life. We don't live near the Prosecutions Department so it will be a big time and expense cost for him to go - which I'm happy for him to do if it's not a waste of time. Would it help if I went with him?