I paid for a TV license for many years by direct debit without actually ever watching TV. There was a short period when my ex lived here where she occasionally watched TV, but that was that. Haven't required a TV license for over 12 months, I cancelled my direct debit and wrote to the Licensing dept telling them I no longer required a license and would they refund me. N They refused to refund me without me giving them one of their reasons for cancelling (no longer needing one was not on the list). in the end I gave up - I think it was only a matter of £20 or so anyway i had to claim. Now I get a letter from them threatening a visit from an enforcement officer who can apply to court for a search warrant!! On what grounds can a search warrant be issued? The mere fact that I no longer pay for a TV License? If an "inspector" turns up, can I simply tell him to [removed] as I already told BBC Licensing I no longer need a license? Is the onus on me to PROVE i don't need a license? Or is this simply bully tactics?

Bogus Police and Trading Standards Officers in Kent READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bogus-police-and-trading-standards-officers-in-kent

Hi, I have a letter delivered through letterbox by sheriff officers. I have c/tax arrears close to 5k during period wife was terminally ill. The letter is a CHARGE FOR PAYMENT OF MONEY from Stirling park. After wife passed away 3 years ago it has taken me that time to earn almost a full-time income at the minimum hourly rate. I also have a part-time self-employed income. My mortgage was in high arrears but I have been paying £50 extra to mortgage for the 3 years and paid every month, so arrears coming down. I wrote recently to Stirling Park offering £50 a month with a review in every 6 months as my income increased or not. They wanted me to call them to discuss it. However, I crapped out of that as I had heard stories of how you have to tell them where you work, bank details etc and how folk had wages arrested. I really do want to pay this debt off, however, my house has negative equity due to the slump since 2008. if they have my bank details and arrest my wages. I miss the mortgage and they will seize the house. They have been absolute unfair with me. How can I get a deal with them without giving my bank and employer etc? Also, I have a car on finance through a high-interest company so the remainder of the balance is higher than car value but I need it to get to work. Can they seize my car or items on finance? My payment record with mortgage and car over last 2 years is good with all months paid to show I can pay with an arrangement I can afford. Anyone got accurate advice on this. If I lose car-I'm screwed. If the house is repossessed I lose thousands, increasing my debt. I have absolutely no equity whatsoever. All the furniture in my house is a wreck. To make matters worse. The job I am in would sack me if I had an arrestment. It's a job of trust I have served well. Not dealing with money but a job of trust all the same.

Just found out, my mum has been paying money every week to Halifax for years! She just told she she has been paying £10 a week for a Halifax credit card, and £10 a week for a Halifax overdraft! She told me, she has been paying £20 a week since my Father died 8 years ago. She said that, at first she ignored them but they kept adding charges to both the credit card and bank account and she was worried about being taken to court! I just told her to stop it but, she said "You have to pay the banks" and is worried that if she does not pay them, they will take her to court and lose the house (My mum own her house outright, no mortgage) I only found out as, I answered a call from 01224 908402 this morning and a company called idem servicing wanted to talk to my mum. I was in the room while she spoke and the woman was asking why there had not been a payment this month. I could not believe it Should my mum just stop paying them? Thanks

The Ministry of Justice has announced today that it will be outsourcing the collection of Magistrate courts fines currently done by almost 150 civil servants to the private sector. I have written on this forum since 2013 of the proposed plans which were abandoned approx 2 years ago. The vast majority of Magistrate Court fines are already enforced by the private sector (by Marston Holdings, Collectica Ltd, Swift and Excel Enforcement Ltd). A small proportion are also enforced by HM Courts & Tribunal Service Civilian Enforcement Agents. CEA's have the authority to search premises and place defaulters in custody. Their work will now be undertaken by the private sector.

I have noticed that a firm of HCEOs seem to have added application costs in a writ of control to the debt. Then the application fee is added in their charges (charging twice). As it is already added to the debt, it then also adds to their later stage fees, which are based on a % of the debt. Could it be that most people dealing with them are struggling to manage the debts they have without perusing the details of these bills?

Despite the new bailiff regulations having been in force for over 18 months, it is very worrying to see that a number of the 'Beat the Bailiff' Facebook pages continue to advise the public that if an enforcement agent is enforcing a judgment that has been transferred to the High Court, that the agent cannot charge VAT on bailiff fees. Such information is inaccurate and highly misleading. In April 2014 the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 were introduced and provide for statutory fees that can be charged by enforcement agents. In relation to county court judgments transferred to the High Court for enforcement, the statutory fee scale provides that the enforcement agent can charge the following fees: Compliance fee: £75 First enforcement stage: £190 (plus 7.5% on amount over £1,000). Second stage enforcement: £495 Sale or disposal fee: £525 plus 7.5% on sums over £1,000 The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 were laid before Parliament on 4th January 2014 and came into force on 6th April 2014. It was not until shortly after the regulation had been laid in Parliament that HMRC finally resolved the issue as to whether or not VAT should be added to bailiff fees. On 26th March 2014 (two weeks before the regulations came into effect) the Ministry of Justice released their official guidance on VAT. This followed official HMRC approval and agreement. HMRC amended their internet guide a short while after.

Hi All, Forgive me if this is in the wrong place as I am not sure which one to post it to. Today my daughter found two enforcement officers in her house when she returned home. They told her that they had a court order to obtain £640. for old council tax bill that my daughter knew about and had told the council she would pay it off in instalments. They issued her with no papers of any kind and would not say anything when questioned about the court papers and would not show them or any other papers to show they had a right to enter the property. They would only say that they were on file. The debt came about through the council messing her about when they she lived at a different property. The council had passed the debt out to a DMT but my daughter told them that she wanted to deal only with the Council and was told by the council that she would have to wait till the debt was passed back to them. They would not answer any question but would try to force the conversation away from any questions asked. Then because they did not like the questions I was asking they added another £110.00 to the bill. What I want to know is Did they have a right to enter the property while no-one was in (the door was closed but unlocked as she was just across the road)? Should they have had copies of court orders so that we could see them? Should they have had any papers saying they had the right to enter the property? Thats it for now but if more info is needed I will add it.

Hi apologies if there has already been a thread like this, I'm just new to this site and do not know how to navigate it very well. Last year I was stopped by a ticket inspector on a southern rail train, i did have a valid ticket, however I didn't have a relevant discount card on me. I offered to pay was told I would receive a letter within a few weeks with the details of the fine and how to pay it . A month passed and I received nothing, at the time I was in the process of moving house . I have now moved address and had forgotten about the letter if I'm honest today I received a letter from MARSTON HIGH COURT asking for £650?! I have not seen any prior letters, this is the first one. It also says that if I don'tpay within 14 days tthey are going to send bayliffs over. I definitely cannot afford £650 all at once, and even if I could somehow manage to pay it in instalments it says the amount must be paid in full. I really dont know what to do?! Any advice would be really appreciated!

My son had a visit from two officers from TV licencing he did not have a licence in place and told them that he froze it back in September because he was going to Scotland which he did. He contacted them a few weeks back to reinstate the licence and was spoken to like a criminal, the guy was most unhelpful and demanded payment eventhough he asked for a payment card, he did not have any cash in the bank as he is on JSA. The guy was so rude my son put the phone down on him, being a hot headed person. Hence the visit, they asked for his reasons which he explained and they seemed to be quite understanding. But I have my doubts as they read him his rights and gave him a Tv payment card. Do you think it will still go to court? Any advise would be greatly accepted. Not sure where to post this? mashmallow

Are revenue protection officers legally entitled to check tickets and passes once the passenger has left the bus? I have seen this a few times but it has occurred to me that the pavement is not TfL property. On the last occasion the man claimed he had given his Oyster card to a friend on the bus so she could get home later on. I've no idea what the outcome was as I got off the bus to avoid being delayed. Thanks in advance to those replying.

Hi All Just wondering if any one can help with a problem here goes: Apparently in 2009 i committed a traffic offence ( i was probably at work and the offence was probably made by my x husband) I apparently replied by post pleading guilty ( dont remember doing this either) in may 2010 i apparently called the courts and said i would pay in 2 weeks) during this time i was going through serious domestic issues( evidence from police etc), which required me to move house in Dec 2010 i changed licence etc over to my new address A couple of months ago i received a letter from police to pay this outstanding fine, so i phoned them due to the fact i was unaware of any of this (my mail was being taken) they told me it was for not filling in information on a named driver. explained situation they told me to go to courts and make a declaration. The bailiffs have turned up last week and the fine is now £500 originally £200, been to court today to make deceleration and they told me about the phone call i made and about reply to a guilty plea i explained the situation (fell on deaf ears) I asked if i pleaded guilty why was i being fined for not declaring information (deaf ears again) and why had it took them so long to find me . asked if they could remove the bailiffs and reply was no i have to sort it out. To top it all i have to pay fine £500 (not got that sort of money divorced 2 children,but i am working and on tax credits) Phoned marstons group gave ref etc asked to be put through to welfare officer wont allow it i have to speak to bailiff let message with them. Also on top of all that i am in bankruptcy at present phoned the official receiver and they say i have to pay fine,but i thought the OF owned all my belongings,. In a muddle can anyone help i am willing to pay fine but on monthly basis or in full at original amount. Long winded sorry:|

[Hi, can anyone tell me if sheriff officers (Scotland ) can retain your bank and work details after you pay off a debt ?. Thanks

Hi i could use a little adviceif possible. Basically, last year i was fined for non payment of train fare through the court, i was issued something like £180 to pay having to pay a minimum of £5 a week with a payment card. I was paying £5 a week for a few months and paid a lot of it off, the thing is, due to lack of funds i had to stop paying for around 3 - 4 weeks. During this time i had lost my payment card, i had no paperwork regarding my fine so i had no idea of how to apply for another one or contact the courts regarding the debt. I presumed i would be given a notice or warning/reminder about this debt but it never came Yesterday i recieved a letter from Martson High Cour Enforcement Officers & Certified Bailiffs stating "fine:£61.50 Fees:£85.00 Cost:£0.00 VAT:£0.00 Total:146.50 "We are in possesion of a Magistrates Court Order as a consequence of non payment of the above amount. We are instructed to demand immediate payment in FULL from you. We must inform you that unless the TOTAL sum due is paid into our office within 7 days of the date of this letter, our bailiffs will attend to levy the distress and remove your goods for sale by PUBLIC AUCTION. This action will involve minimum further costs of £215" The thing is i have no way of paying this whatsoever, i'm on JSA and have already used the fortnightly payment i recieve, i'm not paid again untill the 25th, i also owe money out on that day anyway and i even if i had all my JSA to make a payment i don't even recieve enough to pay the fine in one payment. Also, i live with my dad and 99% of the property in the house is his, i only own a computer and it's worth less than half of the £146.50. I don't understand why there was no warning or reminder letter before this, there isn't even a number to dispute or discuss the matter on the letter, just a payment line and free debt advice line for the citizens Advice Bureau. I'd like to know if the bailiffs will allow me to setup a payment plan when they're sent round and also if i did set up a payment plan, would they add the further cost of £215 even though they've already added £85.00 fine on top of the £61.50 i had left to pay (how do they justify putting over 120% on top of what was left?). Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

SCHEDULE 3 FEES CHARGEABLE BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS The fees chargeable by enforcement officers on execution of writs are as follows. Value Added Tax, if payable, may be added to the fees specified. A. Fees chargeable on execution of writs of fieri facias 1. Percentage of amount recovered For executing a writ of fieri facias, the following percentages of the amount recovered: (a) on the first £100 = 5 per cent (b) above £100 = 2.5 per cent 2. Mileage Mileage from the enforcement officer’s business address to the place of execution and return, in respect of one journey to seize goods and, if appropriate, one journey to remove the goods: 29.2 pence per mile, up to a maximum of £50.00 in total 3. Seizure of goods For each building or place at which goods are seized = £2.00 4. Making enquiries or dealing with claims for rent or to the goods (1) For making enquiries as to claims for rent or to goods, including giving notice to parties of any such claims a sum not exceeding £2.00 (2) For all expenses actually and reasonably incurred in relation to such work including any postage, telephone, fax and e-mail charges a further sum not exceeding £2.00 5. Taking possession, removal and storage of goods (1) Where a person is left in physical possession of goods seized £3.00 per person per day (2) Where an enforcement officer takes walking possession under a walking possession agreement in the form set out in Schedule 4 to these Regulations = £0.25 per day (Fees 5(1) and 5(2) are payable in respect of the day on which execution is levied, but fee 5(1) may not be charged where a walking possession agreement is signed at the time of levy. Fees 5(1) and 5(2) may not be charged after the goods have been removed.) (3) For: (a) the removal of goods; (b) the storage of goods which have been removed; and © where animals have been seized, their upkeep while in the custody of the enforcement officer, whether before or after removal the sums actually and reasonably paid 6. Sale of goods by auction (1) To cover the auctioneer’s commission and expenses, where goods are sold by auction or work has been done with a view to sale by auction: (a) when goods are sold by auction on the auctioneer’s premises, the following percentages of the sum realised: (i) on the first £100 = 15 per cent (ii) on the next £900 = 12.5 per cent (iii) above £1,000 = 10 per cent (b) when goods are sold by auction on the debtor’s premises, 7.5 per cent of the sum realised plus expenses actually and reasonably incurred. (2) When no sale takes place either by auction or private contract, but work has been done by the auctioneer or enforcement officer in preparing for a sale by auction, including the preparation of a detailed inventory of the goods seized: (a) if the goods have been removed to the auctioneer’s premises = 10 per cent of the value of the goods (b) if the goods have not been removed from the debtor’s premises = 5 per cent of the value of the goods plus expenses actually and reasonably incurred. 7. Sale of goods by private contract Where an enforcement officer sells goods by private contract: (a) the following percentages of the proceeds of sale: (i) on the first £100 = 7.5 per cent (ii) on the next £900 = 6.25 per cent (iii) above £1,000 = 5 per cent; and (b) when work has been done in preparing for a sale by auction, including the preparation of a detailed inventory of the goods seized, an additional sum not exceeding 2.5 per cent of the value of the goods plus expenses actually and reasonably incurred. B. Fees chargeable on executing writs of possession or delivery 8. Mileage Mileage from the enforcement officer’s business address to the place of execution and return, in respect of one journey = 29.2 pence per mile, up to a maximum of £25.00 in total 9. Writs of possession (1) Where an enforcement officer executes a writ of possession of domestic property within the meaning of section 66 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988(1), 3 per cent of the net annual value for rating shown in the valuation list in force immediately before 1st April 1990 in respect of the property seized, subject to paragraph (3). (2) Where an enforcement officer executes a writ of possession to which paragraph (1) does not apply, 0.4 per cent of the net annual value for rating of the property seized, subject to paragraph (4). (3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), where the property does not consist of one or more hereditament which, immediately before 1st April 1990: (a) had a separate net annual value for rating shown on the valuation list then in force; and (b) was domestic property within the meaning of section 66 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the property or such part of it as does not so consist shall be taken to have had such a value for rating equal to two-fifteenths of its value by the year when seized. (4) For the purposes of paragraph (2), where the property does not consist of one or more hereditaments having a separate net annual value for rating, the property or such part of it as does not so consist shall be taken to have such a value equal to its value by the year when seized. 10. Writs of delivery For executing a writ of delivery, 4 per cent of the value of the goods as stated in the writ or judgement. C. General fees 11. Copies of returns For a copy of any return endorsed by the enforcement officer on a writ of execution = £5.00 12. Miscellaneous For any matter not otherwise provided for, such sum as a Master, district judge or costs judge may allow upon application.

Hello everybody, I've been looking through the various forums and very impressed with the help and advice given out. Now its my turn to ask for help/advice. I'm currently paying Alex M Adamson £70 per month for council tax arrears, which I've been doing for a few months without any problems. Recently the council sent me a demand for a benefit claw back which I couldn't pay and they passed this debit on to Adamson. Now Adamson have sent me a letter requesting that I supply them with my employer's details, home and mobile number, email as well as details of my income (wage slips). I have put it in writing to Adamson that I will only deal with them in writing and therefore will not give phone numbers or email address and they have accepted this without any problems. In light of this new council tax debit my question is am I under any legal obligation to provide them with this information? I have just written to Adamson and asked if possible to add the new debt to the one already in existence and continue to make payments at the current rate. Any help/advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Can a creditor send in the baliffs before a final judgement has been made

Hi all, Some 10 - 12 years ago I was in a whole heap of bother but I have worked hard to clear my feet by doing repayment plans with DCAs and by settling some by offering a full and final settlement figure. My crdeit rating is still very poor according to Experian BUT I am getting there and have had 1 CCJ in the past which has now been off my file for 2 years Anyway the real point of this post The other night I was out as was my hubby and his pal was dog sitting, 2 guys came to door and said something along the lines of they were officers of the court and had official court papers to serve me (they quoted my maiden name - been married 3 months) Hubbys pal heard the words court and official and got in a tiz and said I didnt live here and he had no idea who i was. They were very polite non threatening and left. We came home and he explained what had happened we called local criminal and civil court and they had nothing for my name or address, Experian shows 1 late payment recently (due to a change of bank accounts) and 1 default in 2006 to Capquest (no idea what for or who capquest are but have read about them on here I can only assume that was for a TMobile contract I contested at the time as it was an ex who ran up a huge bill - but that is another story) So at the minute I have no idea if these guys were sheriff officers? Who they were acting for? Any time limits that now be ticking away? or how to find any of this out. Can anyone help me please, if the debt is mine I will try to arrange a payment plan and hope they will accomodate that but I am now worried that they will take further action without me knowing. The only other possibility I can think of was a contested local authority parking ticket which I contested at the time (although I did not recieve any notification my complaint had been upheld the disabled bay in question was burnt off - the whiite lines were removed 2 weeks after I sent my letter of dispute) Please can someone tell me what I can do as I lay awake most of the night worrying and I have been down that road before to the point it made me very ill - but thats enough of the sob story!! Any advice greatly appreciated. It may be worth mentioning that although I have moved houses over the last 12 years I have not moved out of range of the courts I contacted yesterday and I assume action is taken in the court local to me? Any help appreciated greatly Thanks

I'm in shock. I've got 4 letters from the Sheriff Officers today for council tax dating back years ago, saying that warrants have been granted against me and a former partner (letters addressed to both of us, we split 6 years ago) in the sheriff court. They are all for one address. For three of the years claimed we were not even living there, plus the council tax was included in what we paid our landlord (as far as I am aware - I wasn't party to the tenancy agreement) - we NEVER got a council tax bill the entire time we lived there an never since for that property. They have got hold of my current address so clearly know where I live yet have never chased me for this or sent a letter telling me they were taking it to court - if they had I would have fought it! It's thousands and I have to pay it in 7 days apparently! What the hell can I do about this? I am beyond fuming!

Hi I have been paying off council tax debt for about 5 years through Scott and Co. In March I sent them a letter to give them my change of address and to inform them that because of the move my financial circumstances have changed and I would have to reduce my payments from £15 per month to £5 per month. (I am currently on Income support due to poor health and they know this when I had to reduce my payment plan from £50 to £15 a few years ago and because I just retold them) I received a letter from them on the 1st or 2nd of June (dated the 31st May) to say that I was in arrears and that I may be visited at home or had 'wages' arrested by the sheriff officers. I wrote them a letter to state that my payment of £5 had been coming out of my account every month with no problems and that I had explained my circumstances to them. I also included proof of my benefits and a budget sheet which I got from national debt line. I posted this on Wed 6th as obviously the post was on hold over the Jubilee crap. This morning (7th) the sheriff officers came to my door to issue a bill of what I owe, with an addition of £70 'fee' which I am meant to pay within 7 days. They told me to take it up with scott and co (they even had false information that I still worked for a company that I left 4 years ago, which scott and co must have on record as they have been informed about my benefits several times) they didnt really explain any of it to me until I took the bit of paper and read it when they had gone. I phoned Scott and Co and they told me that they issued a letter on march 27th saying that my offer of £5 was unacceptable and it is still unacceptable until I prove my income etc. Well I cannot do that until they receive my letter (which should have arrived today) which has all the info which I sent them. I was advised to phone back on Monday to 'discuss setting up my payment plan'. I know that because of my finances £5 is a reasonable offer. the budget sheet and benefit letter should cover that and they will have to accept it. As it was a standing order (which I control) the money has gone in without their 'consent' apparently. Yet it has still been paying off my debt so I am curious as to where I stand. I have never been a 'slippery fish' with them since they caught up with me (misspent youth in a 5 bedroom flat yada yada) and I have paid them off every month for 5 years. I am really shaken up!! (not just because they are bully boys but because I have an anxiety disorder and have been ill all day since this happened) I have a few questions: 1: Who gets the £70 fee/charge and can I dispute it? Who should I be challenging about that? 2: Can they really say that my payment plan has been cancelled or in arrears when the £5 has been paying off my debt every month? 3: If I have had no letter since I wrote to them re change of address and circumstances until I receive the warning letter in June and the money has been accepted up until the 30the may can they justify their actions? (legally I know they have no morals or soul) 4: Usually the letters give you 7,14 or 21 days before action is taken. Although the 'warning' letter did not state this can the sheriff officers come at any time? (in this case only a few days after being sent the letter from scott and co? 5: I know that they make money from intimidating people and making up the rules as they go along (eg demanding you make an itnital lump sum payment when legally you don't have to if its not within your means) but isn't there any sort of code that means that they should provide you with everything you should know about protocol when giving change of address/details etc so that people know the correct procedures and don't get nasty surprises like this? Every other bank/credit/finance company etc hits you with the terms and conditions and your responsibilities as a customer when you sign up, how is this any different? Have people no rights at all?! I am going to C.A.B tomorrow but if anyone can help me in the meantime I would be really grateful thank you. Sorry for length just thought I would be thorough!

Are there any laws or rules in place when it comes to protecting vulnerable people and the doorstep visits of the sheriff officers? Can you 'register' yourself as a vulnerable person somehow? Can you direct me to where I can read about this? If you can have an advocate to help you to fill out forms and assist you in important legal/official correspondence do you have any sense of entitlement when it comes to home visits? A pre warning for example or a 3rd party there to assist you or help you to discuss your case or situation? (I understand a pre warning might make some people scarper but seriously I have agoraphobia, there is no way I would leave the house for their benefit lol) As I stated in my previous topic I suffer from an anxiety disorder, I also have agoraphobia and depression. Because of this I cannot work and need assistance getting to weekly therapy session etc Being made to stand on my doorstep for 10 minutes in my pyjamas is much scarier that it would be for most people, no matter who was at the door but there is no way that I would let two strange men into my house either (rape trauma, paranoia etc) I also have difficult using the phone which is why I have communicated via post which has been problematic (although considering anything discussed by phone has to be confirmed in writing anyway it seems just as likely to lead to miscommunication plus I do not know how to record my calls so I wouldn't trust them anyway until I have it all in writing.) Any answers, thoughts, experiences you can share or links would be great thank you (sorry if too much info, I just thought I'd be honest)