Hello, as many people at the moment we are struggling to the point of absolute dispair financially, which has now been worsened still when I answered the door to a bailiff last week. We had difficulties with council tax (Bromley), attended the council tax surgery and made an arrangement - to be fair they did say that as the case had been passed on to council bailiffs they did not know if it would be accepted but said to leave it with them to confirm which we did. We got a letter on 9th July saying £1427 was required immediately, we spoke to the council who said it was passed to council bailiffs an we would hear form them in due course. 9th September I answered the door to the bailiff saying that he had a court order to collect the outstanding debt of £1451. We didn't know it had been to court, we didn't get the letter he says was sent after either. My husband called him and offered to pay £251 immediately and £100 per month after - to be honest this would be hard but i thought they would accept it being covered. They said no, to make an arrangement the debt goes up to £1737, we have to pay £300 cash on the day we sign the contract and 5 payments of £287. There is no way we can pay £300 per month - if we had this money we would never have missed the £120 per month in the first place, and he told my husband if its missed they start to take things from the house - and we don't have anything of worth anyway! This is the only bill my husband is responsible for, we have struggled with all our bills and i've rung and arranged payments and pinched peter to pay paul etc for the last year but i've not let any of the other get out of hand this far, so its fair to say right now i'm gunning for him. I need any advise I can get as the bailiff is due with the paperwork on Monday morning. I understand he has to be 'invited' in and our car is in my name so hoping this is ok. What is our worst case scenario and what can or can't we do - what I want to avoid is hubby agreeing to £300 per month becuase he will just go along with what he is told (instead of checking anything) which we don't have and in a months time we either owe loads more or our possessions are taken. Is there anyway of doing this with the council directly still. Thank you

Hi Each Had an odd request from my neighbour that she has received a letter for a home vist for JC+ via a customer compliance officer. Would this just be to satisfy a recent claim ? I have stated that as it is not being held under caution it is probably just to as I say to assess a recent claim, but thought I would check Andy G

Hi all, On 25th May 2012, I received a visit from a TV License Officer. He proceeded to ask me questions about my TV Usage and set me up with a new TV License paying by regular installments. I signed the necessary forms, he handed over my new TV License card and left. I never got a copy of the form I signed and I never received anything after that from TV License other than my new TV License document, which I still have. I have now received a summons and the offense has been written as: On 23/05/2012 used a COLOUR television receiver without a license at the above address. Contrary to section 363(2) and (4) of the Communications Act 2003. Note, the date of the offense is recorded as 2 days prior to the visit. However, no proof was obtained on this date that I was watching a live broadcast of any kind. I have read through the form, which I signed on the day of the visit and have noted the following: Can I come in and inspect the set: NO Programmes Seen/Heard: NONE Channels Tested: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 + Cable When did you last use the set for watching TV Programmes here? 2 days ago. So the reason I have highlighted the above particular questions is because: 1) He did not come in and inspect the set 2) He did not hear or see any channels being watched, the TV was OFF when he visited. 3) How could he test the said channels if he did not come in to inspect 4) I did not admit to watching Live TV Programmes 2 days prior. He asked when I last USED the TV which was 2 days prior. The form also states that I have a Cable Box with a basic Cable TV Package. This is true because I was subscribed to Virgin Media at the time. It was cheaper to purchase a bundle with them and get TV, Phone and Internet all rolled into one than it would have been to get Phone & Internet from a different provider. I opted for the basic TV package because I did not need a TV Package at all but it was a cheaper option than getting the two services I did need (Phone & Internet) outside of a bundle. This is the honest truth - I do NOT watch Live TV Broadcasts. My TV is used ONLY as an output monitor for my Laptop (which has a broken screen that I cannot afford to replace). I watch DVD's and use the computer via the TV Screen. Yes, I have a TV Set and Receiver Equipment that is CAPABLE of picking up TV Programs so I realized on the day of the visit that I do need a license and that is why I purchased one there and then with the man at the door. So my question is this - Taking the above into account, is it really possible for TV Licensing to prosecute me for watching TV 2 days prior to the officer's visit when: a) They were not present and have no evidence other than a signed statement. b) The signed statement they have produced is questionable based on the fact they say they tested the channels available to me when they admitted to not being allowed to enter the property to do so. Furthermore, since the property is now licensed and has been since the day of the visit. Is it really beneficial to them to prosecute for 1 instance of TV Usage? They aren't claiming a period of watching TV without a license, literally just 1 instance of using it on 23/05/2012. How much am I likely to be fined if the courts agree with them for this infringement?

Hi, Im a little curious for any advice or knowledge from others in the same situation. Whilst I was not at home today a person knocked my door. He told my husband he worked for provident and he has bought one of my debts and would like to speak to me about repayment. My husband asked to make sure if this was a debt that I had with provident and the man said no it wasnt. About two weeks ago a provident advert card was put through my door with my name on it offering me a £100 loan if I called the number. I have not called them. I have never dealt with provident in any way. Can they just buy a debt in this way? I do have a debt with another company but that is one that I disagree I owe and am disputing with them. Something here seems fishy though. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Hi guys, Today I received a visit from a doorstep collector from Robinson Way. I didn't answer the door because I thought it ws somebody trying to sell me something! She dropped a card through the door asking to call to arrange a new appointment etc etc It is in relation to a debt of over £1000 that I ran up with O2. I can't be sure of the exact dates that I was a customer of O2, but I do know that it would've been late 2003/ early 2004. There is no record of this debt on my credit reports from Experian, Noddle, or annualcreditreport.co.uk. I have no idea what the date of default was, but the earliest correspondence that I had was from 18/05/07. the million dollar question is, what do I do? I can reasonably assume that the account defaulted at the latest on 18/05/07, which means at most it will be statute barred in less than 7 months. Would this visit from them suggest that their 6 year limit is running out, or is it just a routine visit? Do Robinson Way\ Horwich Farrelly\ or 02 share information with credit reference agencies, or is there no record of it on my credit reports because it is already likely to be statute barred? Thanks in advance for your advice folks.

Hello, I received a hand delivered letter, from Newlyn PLC saying they had attended my property to "seize and distrain" possessions to satisfy my council tax bill. No one knocked on my door, this letter was simply posted through. I emailed Newlyn as soon as I received this, making an offer to pay, but they did not respond. Today I telephoned the office, and attempted to make payments. The lady I spoke to said that my offer was not acceptable, and they would be sending a bailiff to me today if I could not pay in full. I have ignored the telephone call, made an initial payment and set up a SO with my bank to pay this anyway. I have printed proof of these. My main concern is if the bailiff indeed visits my house, and I open the door to show them I am making payments etc, will they try to force their way into my home? Also I have a dog, who is friendly with people he knows, but will attack anyone he doesnt. When I answer my door, the bailiff will be able to clearly hear the dog, as he tends to attack an inner door like mad until I go back in my house. What will happen if the bailiff forces entry and my dog attacks him? Am I liable for this? Thanks

Hello and many thanks in advance for any advice that can be given. In June 2006 I moved from my parents address into my own home (which I own with a mortgage). All of my finances were transfered to my new address without any exceptions. In 2010 I lost my job and started incurring some finacial difficulties and since then have accrued 3 CCJ's This last week a letter from county court was sent in my name to my parents address and today a bailiff knocked at the door. The letter was returned 'not at this address' and my father sent the bailiff packing with 'I very rarely see him' and 'we are not on good talking terms' I know that whoever is chasing has used an old address instead of a current one. Should I chase down the problem and correct the issue or an I better off letting the bailiffs do their own job and wait to see what happens? Many Thanks

Hi everyone, First of all, I want to apologizes for my bad English, I'm Spanish. I moved recently to UK, my landlord told me that if I have a TV I must to pay the TV License no matter if you watch it. I only use my TV for playing videogames and watch lovefilm via xbox, the TV License website said that I don't need the license but I should inform them and then an officer comes to my home in order to check that I don't need it. Anyone knows what kind of questions they usually made or what they 'check'? My tv is very old and it even need a freeview device that I don't have. I'm a little afraid and I don't know if I should pay the licence, as my landlord says, or if I should said that I don't need it and receive the visit. Thank you very much.

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?

Got a note through the door from Equita Bailiffs for a council tax liability order. Letter reads as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- My name & address - printed on the letter Date - handwritten Time - handwritten Delivered By Hand BAILIFF REMOVAL Payment due in full - 24 hours I have attended today with the intention of removing your goods and chattels as are necessary to discharge the outstanding Council Tax Liability Order and additional Enforcement Costs incurred. PLEASE NOTE - No further arrangements are acceptable and payment is now required in full by CLEAR FUNDS ONLY. I will re-attend your address with immediate effect and may REMOVE goods even in your absence. Should you wish to avoid this distressing course of action, contact me immediately on the telephone number below to arrange prompt payment of your debt. No contact will be taken as your refusal to pay. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was nothing about the amount or actual costs. I contacted the council immediately, because this is the first I'd heard it was being kicked to the bailiffs. I knew I had a liability order but I had assumed my previous payment arrangement (made with the council) for last years order was continuing on, as I had made all my payments on time, and I'd heard nothing else from the council. After 10-15 futile minutes trying to get the council to take it back from the bailiffs, I got them to confirm the amount of the liability order. I borrowed the money from a relative, and paid off the liability order directly to the council via their automated telephone system. I then paid a further £45 (via automated system) to cover 2 bailiff visits - letter above being the first visit, and one more visit should they actually come in 24 hours and my account isn't clear in time, OR if they claim this wasn't the first visit. Is the letter above the standard first visit letter from Equita when you've got a council tax liability order? It doesn't sound like it - aren't they supposed to give you a payment arrangement option? When do bailiff costs get added to your council tax account? Do they maintain a separate account with the charges that the council doesn't have access to, cos the debt at the council was just for the liability order. I'm worried about them adding mystery costs to my account and/or that they've levied my neighbours cars (who are fond of parking outside my house). I have no intention of contacting the bailiffs, but I'd like to know this is finished and I haven't got to worry about more bailiffs charges, relatives parking at my house and hiding in my house to avoid contact.

A bailiff visited my home yesterday and asked my name which I confirmed, demanded my DOB and NI or he would seize my car but refused to give me any other information and said he was going to make a phone call. As he was blocking my driveway I could not go anywhere but loaded my support dog and shopping in the car. He then backed his car on my drive directly in front of my car which happenes to be a big american 4 x 4. I then asked him again for paperwork (as I knew I had no debts) he refused, I told him to move his car off my drive and he refused. I told him if he did not move I would move him, he said I couldn't and I informed him my car was twice the size of his and I most certainly could:oops: Anyway I told him I was calling the police to have him moved which I did. Obviously at first they said 'civil matter' but I told them there would be a breach of the peace if they did not attend and that I am a disabled pensioner who cannot get around without my car while I might point out still wondering what all this was about. He obviously knew he could not be on my drive so he left and clamped my car. Even when the police got here he still said he had no paperwork but told the police the 'order' was for unpaid business rates in Cardiff. I have never lived or had a business in Cardiff and could prove (fortunately) to the police that I had lived in Nottinghamshire for the past two years and before that was in Hong Kong. They told him, he called someone and agreed to unclamp my car. However, the bailiff left saying there would be a warrent for my arrest made or a bankruptsy order, I told him I looked forward to seeing him in court (as I used to be a lawyer 20 years ago) I then called Cardiff City Councils business rates who told me as we spoke the file 'had been taken back by them' - there appears to be a business still operating in Cardiff under the same name as mine but how they made a connection to me is difficult to see. The council said they had been 'pointed in the wrong direction' and they did not know if this business was still operating or empy and the landlord (who they knew of) would not have notified them when he became responsible. My issue here is if the council believe the person they were looking for lived at my address why was no correspondence sent to me? Surely there must be some rules that govern this sort of thing, send correspondence to an address they know is the wrong one is surely bending the code of practice if there is one. My other issue is that now this has happened I am sure I can expect other debt collectors and bailiffs to be attending my home. I am not stupid and today I will be transferring all my assets including all my household goods and title to my car to my friend (whom I trust) so should someone attend with the intention of obtaining a WPO I will own nothing. As I am retired and rent my house I have no need of credit but it is annoying to say the least that I feel under attack with little hope of convincing anyone that the person they want is not me (Rip of Britian yesterday one lady had been trying for 5 years). I could not be that stressed for anything like that length of time. Has anyone got any other suggestions on how to resolve this in all honesty they could make me bankrupt as it would make absolutely no difference to me or my income and bank account but the bit of fight left says no way. I was conforting to read on this forum other people are having similar problems and I hope I posted this in the right place.

Hi, I guess like a lot of people I was scared when I got my notifications about the lapse in my payments to council tax. I was two months late and hid and then it went straight off to me owing the full amount (£1200ish) which I really couldn't afford to pay. Now it's got to the stage where I had a bailiff leave me a letter today saying he came to work out how much my stuff is worth and take it away from me. I'm so scared. I realise entirely what I have done is wrong and i've left it too long for recompense. I'm not denying the fact I owe them money (I believe they're saying around £1400) and I do want to work it out. I've had a read on the forum and the web and for sure i'm not going to let them in to my house now. But i really really really don't want to deal with this through the bailiffs. From what i've read they're intimidating and will cheat me out of a lot of money. I'm not worried about saying no to them when they visit but I'm really worried about them taking my car. The car is my car, and in my name, but it's registered at my parents address. (it's also owned by me outright with no debt / finance on it) I'm worried they're going to clamp the car / take it away. I don't really have any where else I can store it in the mean time to stop them doing it either (which a lot of people are advised to do) I plan on phoning the council on monday and offering to pay £400 a month to clear the debt quickly (which is every last penny of what I can afford to pay a month towards this debt. But from what I've read, they're unlikely to accept this offer and will want me to deal with the bailiff which I really don't want to do. I know it's my fault i'm in this situation and I've screwed up big time. However I genuinely want to get it sorted. Is there any advice you can offer to stop them taking my car, and to help make the council take what I say seriously and agree to call back the bailiff. I'm happy to pay the £24.50 fee for the bailifs charge for visiting me. Thanks

Hi, I am having a visit on Monday 13/8/12 from a Doctor about my DLA claim I suffer from Fybromyalgia and depression. I have been unable to get out of the house for about 3 months now as I am unable to walk without being in severe pain and if I travel on a bus I am in agony and then the day after I can not move. My Fybromyalgia causes me to be tried continuously and in severe pain from head to foot. I need my hubby to help me make meals and everyday task. I forget where I am going and I have once or twice stopped in the middle of the road (full of traffic) because I have forgot which way I am going. Some days I do not even want to get dressed and my hubby has to convince me to get washed and dressed. My life has become like being in prison I am absolutely petrified about this doctor coming on Monday as I feel that it will be a total waste of time. Do they actually care that I am unable to get out and that I am unable to do things I used to do and I am becoming a burden on my family . Does anyone have any helpful hints for me or am I wasting my time xxx

Hi I wonder if someone can help. We have today received a letter from Marstons regarding an outstanding debt. I am not disputing the debt and more than happy to come to an arrangement to pay it. The problem is we have moved 3 times in the last 18 months and the debt (for £500) was at the first address. This letter is the first I have heard about it having gone to court and them having obtained a writ. The debt is now over £1300 and they are coming on Wednesday to remove property which will also increase the debt. Is there anything I can do to stop this based on the fact I didnt know about the court action? I had actually been emailing the company the money was owed to some while back to try to resolve but they never replied to my emails. I dont even know which court this is in as this letter is the first I have seen. Any advice greatly appreciated. Many thanks

I have had a visit to my house today from an enforcement officer. I was not at home at the time and the notice was handed to my son. The notice is for a debt of £ ****** for my business which I run from my home, my business is a limited company. The debt is from a CCJ I had imposed on me and a payment plan was set up to pay in 3 No. equal instalments. I was unable to make the first payment due to cash flow issues. The notice now totals £******* (£ ****** Original Debt; £ ***** Cost of Execution; £ ******) I spoke to the enforcement officer on the telephone and he told me I must pay the full amount immediatley. He told me there is a van arranged to seize assets and could arrive at my house at any time to seize goods to the value of the notice. In which I will incur additional costs of £ 420.00 for the van plus £ 120.00 per hour for each person loading it. I do not have these funds available at the moment and I am now very worried ! I have put him off until 16:00 hrs tomorrow to try and arrange the funds. He said he would help me out by cancelling the van until we have spoken tomorrow. He said that the claimant has paid to fast track this collection and they will not accept another payment plan. Can he just turn up with a van without seeing what goods he can seize ? Can this happen so quickly, is there a way to slow the process so I can raise the funds ?

Hi I got a voicemail message left on my mobile yesterday from a man who gave his name and said he was calling from Motormile Finance UK Ltd 'doorstep department'. The message said they had been trying to contact me and now they were going to do a home visit in the next few days, (they did not specify date or time). The message asked me to contact them using the automated reference number that suddenly came on. I also got a txt message on my phone with a number to ring and the same reference number. Unfortunately I have few payday loan debts and not sure which loan is being asked for. I have no choice but to work something out with National debt line. I have also moved address but the creditors were not informed, which means they may have been trying to get me on the old address. The issue for me is that if they turn up at my current address which I share with landlord and two students, and speak to my landlord, i could end up being given notice to quit by the landlord and in my current financial mess, homeless. I work.

hi, hope someone could be of help to me... i received a letter today dated the 5th july 2012 from scotcall instructing me of a pre-visit notice, the debt is with express gifts which i took out when i was 16, year 2000/2001, i also received in a brown envelope which was hand posted a card from scotcall instructing me that they have tried to visit 3 times today and requesting i should ring them back asap. i am unsure of what to do on this matter now and i dont want to be living in fear that they are going to be knocking on my door every five minutes and take my belongings. HELP!

Can anyone advise on the validity of an imposed charge for a home visit that was not requested or agreed. Carried out by Barclays/Woolwich mortgage company, and appeared to be a cynical effort to apply charges for no benefit to either the lender or the borrower. Thanks .