Philips(Darlington) Adding Fees at Random

[jonni2bad]

GlenW has already posted that their complaint has been received by the Court and that they are acting on it.

 

If there is anything else that you know of which GlenW needs to know, there is no reason why it can't be written here.

 

IF - and only IF - HMCS have made clear that contact numbers for staff who are PAID TO DEAL with complaints of this nature should never be made available to the very people who need to complain, then not only would we really need to raise the issue of why that is the case, but it would also bring into question the effectiveness of that provision, surely?

 

IF they have stated this, perhaps you could tell us where they have stated it - unless it's just an opinion about what some believe is not permitted.

[GlenW]

I've just received this by email from the court:

 

Hello – I’ve now received a copy of the telephone transcript from Philips which I have attached for you to look at. I’ve also spoken to Philips but unfortunately as the transcripts do not actually confirm at any time that you stated you were ringing to pay the outstanding balance of £100.00, Philips are refusing to remove the additional charges.

 

 

 

Unfortunately in light of this information I have had no option but to remove the hold and instruct Philips to resume trying to recover the debt.

 

 

 

All I can suggest is that you make a formal complaint in writing to Philips and to the courts (the address below). I would also speak to the Community Legal Advice Team on 0845 3454345 (opt 5) and see if they can help you.

 

Obviously Philips have not sent the transcript of the call where I did offer to pay the £100 that I accept I owe.

 

When I last called the Community Legal Advice Team they merely suggested I contact the court.

 

I've written a letter of complaint to Philips, I've spoken to the Community Legal Advice Team and I've asked the court itself for help, what do I do now?

 

I have letters from Philips that prove they added fees to the account before the time limit they had set, surely they can't get away with this.

[GlenW]

tomtubby has just helped me draft a superb letter of complaint that I have sent to the appropriate Contract Manager.

 

Thanks Sheila you are a star.

 

I'll keep you all posted on what happens next.

[GlenW]

I've just had a telephone call from the Contract Manager to tell me that he has instructed Philips to return the account to the court marked as paid. He also assured me that the only further correspondence I should receive from Philips would be confirmation that this account is closed.

 

Thanks again tomtubby.

[Fantasticfix]

Brilliant! Congratulations!

[greenbee]

Hi

I would really appreciate the address for the contract manager for south yorkshire HMCS as I have had the same prob as Glen w, have complained to philips - fallen on deaf ears, they are not interested.

Briefly -

1.letter recieved on 07/10/08 from philips demanding £95 to be paid within 48 hours ( no date on letter ) .

2. Made an arrangment to pay by instalments next day on 08/10/08.

3. 13/10/08 - Visit from bailiff - why ? £100 charge . Total £195.

I really need to know who to complain to, despite numerous letters to philips all i recieve is a statement of the account.

[GlenW]

Sarah,

 

I don't know who the Contract Manager for South Yorkshire is, but this is the email address for the gentleman I contacted, Paul.Skelton@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk, I think he is just for the North East.

 

I suggest you contact him and ask for the email address you need.

 

Good luck and don't give in.

[tomtubby]

I've just had a telephone call from the Contract Manager to tell me that he has instructed Philips to return the account to the court marked as paid. He also assured me that the only further correspondence I should receive from Philips would be confirmation that this account is closed.

 

Thanks again tomtubby.

 

GLEN

 

I had missed this post. I am delighted. So there is one contract manager who is doing is good job!!

 

SARAH.

 

I am so disappointed that Philips appear to once again be doing the same as GLEN. I think the contract manager has changed but I will check and post back in a few hours with details.

[tomtubby]

I am not sure which person is the correct one but here goes. The names are the Contract Managers at HMCS with responsibility for both Marston Group and Philips but PLEASE can anyone ensure that these names are ONLY applicable for complaints concerning outstanding MAGISTRATE COURT FINES. These people have nothing whatsoever to do with anything other than these debts which are criminal debts.

 

 

For the North West the name is:

 

Janet.Anderson@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk

 

 

For the Midlands you need:

 

Robin.Lovell@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk

 

If anyone has any problems getting a response please do post back.

[greenbee]

Thanks Glen .

Will contact him.

[greenbee]

Hi

Thank you so much glen and Tomtubby for the contact details.

 

The contracts manager contacted me and I sent her through all the details and the charges have been removed. She did actually say that Philips had removed them before she got involved ( I think this was because I sent philips an email stating I was going to contact the courts) .

Interstingly in the Interim I did contact ACEA ( Association of Civil Enforcment Agencies) who were'nt interested. So for anyone else battling these awful companies, the best action is to go to the courts and make them aware of these scandalous charges for sending out "invisible bailiffs".

[tomtubby]

Which contract manager did you contact?

 

As many of you on here will know, there has been a tragic death of a pensioner who was very ill and who was taken to the cash point machine by a bailiff enforcing a Distress Warrant for an unpaid Magistrates Court Fine and there is an ongoing investigation by the Courts and the Contract Managers. This may be why your complaint has been quickly dealt with.

 

There is a post concerning this matter on the bailiff forum.

 

 

Well done. !!

[greenbee]

Tomtubby

 

It could be why it was dealt with so quickly , It really does make you wonder what sort of people work for these private bailiff companies. I realise there is a need for bailiffs but I think they should be employed by the courts directly and not contracted out to private companies. I sent philips 7 letters questioning the charge and for an explanation, all i kept recieving was a statement of the account, they have no complaints procedure in place and are not adhering to the rules laid down by the MOJ. There is no way my daughter could have sorted this out without my help and armed with information from this forum I suceeded, so the message is if you think you have a case keep persevering. Thank goodness for this forum.

 

The lady I contacted was :email]sue.fawcus@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk[/email] This is the senior enforcement officer for south yorkshire

Edited January 24, 2009 by greenbee

[GlenW]

GLEN

 

I had missed this post. I am delighted. So there is one contract manager who is doing is good job!!.

Yes, but I do believe mentioning your name in the letters, phone calls and emails helped. When I mentioned you, on the phone, I heard an audible groan, that sounded like, "Oh No!, this bloke is getting good advice and won't be fobbed off!".

 

Thanks again, you are a star!.