Jacobs Bailiffs

[Guest Zooman]

Jacobs Bailiffs enforce liability orders for over 50 Local Authorities throughout England and Wales.

I am going to make a mass complaint to the Local Authority Ombudsman, about Jacobs Bailiffs collecting council tax and the lack of fair treatment it gives the public. I am collecting information about them breaking rules.

if you have had dealing with Jacobs Bailiffs and are willing to make a written statement about your dealings with them I am very interested and the more testimonials the better chance I have of having them blacklisted and their replacement acting in a lawful and fair manner.

I am also interested in any of the following evidence.

• Letters which have added threats of prison etc in handwritten red ink.
  
• Letters that imply that they are going to break into your home when they have no levy.
  
• Letters saying they recommend that you go to prison.
  
• Charges that exceed that set down is statue.

Please PM me and I will give you my postal address to post them to.

[jojosnack]

Hi ,

 

I have a letter from Jacobs saying:

 

'we now have no alternative but to return the liability ordr to the local authority with a recommendation that the council apply to have you committed to prison for up to 90 days'

 

It was in relation to Business rates payable to Islington Council.

 

Scared the pants off me when it came!

 

Cheers,

 

Jojo

[JonCris]

Oh Brother are they in deep do do.

 

Also what makes them think they can reccomend anything to the council let alone prison.

 

Suggesting they can is a criminal offence & amounts to Demanding Money with

Menaces as well as Criminal Harrassment

[bp]

I'll search through all the paperwork, i may have some letters. Not sure if I can be of any help as i work for a local authority and will be dealing with council tax issues soon. But had a really bad experience where i was marched off to a cash point machine and made to take out over £400 while my newborn baby was screaming his head off! I felt so angry that they had made me do this. They gave me a lift to the cashpoint machine but couldn't be bothered to take me back once they got their money.

[davefirewalker]

I'm Having a go at them at mo! I was handed to them after failing to pay my council tax. After paying a set rate for a few months they then upped it which I couldnt afford. Then they came for the balance or the furniture would go. Recently I did a S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) on them and got the charges all of which seem to be fair apart from the "hire of a van and waiting time (£140 )" coincidently on the same day I paid up fully. strange thing was the amount asked for a few days previously seemed to include this. Of course no van turned up or no notice was given to me that a van had been charged.

 

I'm going to get them

 

Dave

[nicki143]

I to had a dealing with these to late now i know but they came to my house on fridday morning demanding £814 he was very abrubt and i was upset he started laughing at me in front of my children and was not willing to listen. Anyway i later rang him to try and sort this out as he came on the friday and wanted the money by monday at 2pm when i rang him he put the phone down on me he is a mean and spiteful little man. The courts told me and the council told me that they have lots of problems with them

[JonCris]

Then why don't the courts & the council do something:mad:

[nicki143]

I am gonna submit a complaint about Jacobs as a friend of mine seems to know everything and he told me i have grounds for a complaint as he never wanted to listen to me and put the phone down on me he could have offered me ways to pay but was just rude and laughing at me in front of my children.

When i went to the council about the debt they rang the balliff for me and i can pay £20 per week why did he not offer me this option.

My question is who do i cmplain to Jacobs i do not really want to i wanna go higher

[jrt16]

I have had dealings - in Leyland, Preston, PR25.

I involved the Police as one threatened to 'come through the door'. When the Police arrived I supplied the car reg number and it seems that Leyland police were/are actively chasing that car because of other 'alleged' threats.

 

I tried to contact the boss of Jacobs but was refused by some female voice.

I contacted the local council and they made Ms McGarry of Jacobs ring to apologise.

They are a bad piece of work, but you need to know how to deal with them. I believe I have done so and that, with luck, and the odd threat to the council, they will be removed from handling South Ribble BC work.

I do have 'printed' demands in red.

I am presently dealing direct with the council and I will VERY CERTAINLY be bringing more complaints about Jacobs.

 

If you want further contact reply first to this and see where we go.

Thanks

John

[cucumber]

my partner had dealing with them and altho they did not threaten him or anything, the did make a walking possesion order and failed to give us a copy of it, which is bad practice from what i can gather.

[JonCris]

Probably because it wasn't a certified bailiff who attended. This happens a lot

[cucumber]

If anyone wasn't aware....have a look at Jacobs official website (FAQ section) - where mention of being able to remove vehicles if entry isnt possible, and minor prison threats in view of council tax are mentioned!!

[JonCris]

Send a copy/link to the OFT & demand to know what action they intend to take .................. just don't hold your breath

[daz937]

can anyone one help having same problem with jacobs they are saying that full payment must be paid£1,146.97 in four days for council tax or they will be removing goods

[bladeboy]

Contrary to what they'll tell you, they don't have a power of entry for council tax arrears.

 

The only time a bialiff has a power of entry if for Magistrates Court Fines and some Inland Revenue related stuff but they need a special warrant for that.

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU OPEN THE DOOR TO THEM. They will try and barge past you in order to gain entry because when they're in they will claim 'peaceable access' has been obtained which then gives them powers of entry on future visits.

 

They are not allowed to force their way in. If they door. Call the police and inform them that a bailiff, without a power of entry, has assualted you to gain access to your property. They are also notorious for blagging plod when they arrive and will try and misrepresent their powers to the cops who are their only to prevent a breach of the peace - the police are not there to assist debt collectors!

 

The stated case they carry around is R - v - Bibby where a bailiff was arrested to prevent a further breach of the peace. The point with this case is that previous peaceable access had been obtained by the bailiff previously. If they push past you to get in the first time then that stated case is redundant!

[JonCris]

Correct bladeboy

 

If I recall correctly the case you mention involved a debtors place of business & not a private dwelling & the copper didn't arrest him because they wanted to enter but because he felt that any attempt would result in violence & the bailiff would not back off so the copper arrested him before it got bloody. If I'm correct the debtor, who may have been either Turkish or Asian had a few 'friends' arrive

[bladeboy]

What worries me and the various debt charities a bit now is this new courts enforcements bill that the hypocritical and opinionated Harriet Harman mentioned in the commons. Her argument was that bailiff law was far too complex. So their response? Blanket increasing of powers! - way to go new labour!!!

 

There is also great concern that the safeguards surrounding this have not been given sufficient parlimentary time.

 

It's just a case of watch this space.

 

From my professional experience bailiff are no better than rougue vehicle clampers and the like. But hey, it's an industry that essentially collects its own wages for goodness sake - there are bound to be problems.

[Chrysalliss]

I have a debt of £756 for this years council tax that has been passed to Jacobs in November.

I wrote to them in November, with an offer to pay £40 a month with a financial statement explaining why I can only pay that much, with ccj's listed. They said I would hear from them.

I heard nothing untill I got a 'Final Notice - Removal' letter. I then phoned again and was told there was nothing they could now do as it was in the hands of the local agent.

Having spoken to him on the phone he is telling me the bill, with charges, is now £1007.50. He will accept nothing less than £250 a month, with the first installment being due by Christmas Eve. (Funny that, as I see from their website they are closed from then on till Jan 5th with no enforcement visits during that time!)

I spoke to my council offering £100 a month but they are saying they refuse to take the debt back unless I clear it within 3 months.

 

My questions are, if someone could help?

 

a) The bailiff in question has told me he will be 'round at 11am on Thursday to collect first installment and to come in to list my possesions'. Am I really within my rights not to let him in? Should I contact him first to tell him (He told me I could contact him via text message!)

b) I wish to pay £100 a month, preferably direct to the council. Is there a way I can make them accept? Is it best to make payments anyway in the meantime? Is it best to pay them or should I do it via Jaccobs website? (Are they allowed to insist 'payment is not sent to the council' as they do in their letter?

 

Many thanks for any help.

[Chrysalliss]

Thank you for your information.

 

I spoke to the council today, who as you predicted said they'd 'prefer not to accept payment'. I told them I was only willing to deal with them and they said that I could do that but would find that the bailiffs would not stop calling and I "may find them rather unpleasent".

 

I have, so far, stuck to my guns and said that I will be making my first payment to them shortly. I will pay online now, and the same again next month.

 

Can you also tell me how this will work with the charges they have put on the account so far? (£356 already, which I will query) Will they eventually drop off when they return the case to the council?

 

Also, how long should I expect them to try before they return the debt?

 

Thanks again!

[daz937]

hi chrysalliss ive had good help and advice off people on here dont open door to bailiff dont leave doors and windows open pay council tax direct pay only what you can afford each month online to council website make sure you have council account number for this years council tax DONT PAY BAILIFF just keep paying online there are some good template letters on here to help you

[daz937]

I refer to recent correspondence.

XXX Council has appointed you to recover my Council Tax Liability arrears for 200x of £xxxx.

 

Firstly I would like to make you aware that I am fully aware of my rights and you will not gain entry to my home under any circumstances to levy goods and I know the fees allowed under statue and when these fees can be applied.

have been making payments of £10 per week for the last 8 weeks and I calculate the balance to be £xxx.xx.

 

Due to my circumstances I am unable to pay this the balance in one payment. I advocate a payment schedule of 19 months with 18 months payments at £43.33 and the balance of £70.06 to be paid on the 19th month to cover the principle. I understand this may seem a long time but this is a realistic offer that is affordable to me and will allow me to pay future bills issued for Council Tax without them falling into arrears. A greater amount would cause me real and factually hardship.

 

I am able to pay the above amount on the xx of each month, as an act of good faith I have enclosed the first payment chq number xxxxxx. Please advise how you would like future payments made. My personal preference is payment by Standing Order.

 

It should be noted that I am not at any point refusing to pay this debt but only asking for a fair payment period considering my circumstances. And if you are unable to accept my offer I will place the money aside each month until such a time the council take the account back into their management, when I will make payment of the set aside money to the council.

I have enclosed a statement of my means as requested by Miss Smith in our telephone conversion today, explain here about the money and that it has been sent before.

Also Miss Smith said I have to send proof that I am paying my other creditors the lowest amount they will allow and gave me 14 days to do this. I find this unwarranted and frankly an intrusion into my privacy I have written under separate cover making an official complaint to my Council over it policy to request this information as I do not believe the council should demand that they must have this information.

 

Please also send an itemised statement of account that clearly shows what charges have been added and what for, you are required in statue to supply this information and I look forward to this within 14 days.

 

I am sending the council a copy of this letter and requesting that it be filled with my account for further reference.

 

I hope the above meets your approval and I look forward to your timely reply by letter.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

add your details to temlate letter send one to council and one to bailiff they can only charge for 2 visits £24.50 for the first and £18 for the second.

 

[JonCris]

I should also mention when writing to the council that having been told by Mr? Ms? a council employee that Jacobs would still continue to pursue me & might be 'unpleasant' toward me it's clear from that remark the council officers are fully aware of the unlawful & threatening tactics used by the councils agents

[gigglemal]

I've issues with Jacobs for a parking ticket fine from Wigan MBC.

 

I actually had a ticket that had fallen from the dash, but because I didn't challenge it in a timely manner I accept I should pay the fine. Debt was passed to Jacobs, and all the stock things then happened (Ghost visits - excessive cost etc).

 

So, I texted the bailiff to explain that I would only discuss the matter in a documented way, either by letter or text, due to previous issues. Cue complete ignorance from the bailiff, kept ringing me & demanding money. I rung their office, but they just refused to deal with it.

 

I explained to bailiff that I was under a DMP and could only afford regular payments, not a lump sum, but I also questioned the amount. Once I'd received a full breakdown of costs, I would happily pay by bank transfer as don't have CC (and didn't want to pay extra charges) but I also didn't want to incur extra costs. I also stipulated there was no need to visit again.

 

Next thing, another letter through door with increased costs being demanded. So, I wrote to council complaining of their conduct and emphasising my intention to pay the fine, and appropriate costs, but wanted the opportunity to review the cost schedule in a formal way.

 

I also wrote to Jacobs and put a SAR request to them, and left a copy (with the cheque inside) as the bailiff said he'd be returning. He never did, but in short time I received correspondence from council to say they'd investigated and a far lesser amount was due to bailiff than they claimed, but the debt had to be paid to Jacobs. I had requested to pay the council directly but they refused, saying I had to pay Jacobs for their costs.

 

So, I sent a cheque to them - in hindsight, I should have ensured it was sent recorded (all other correspondence was, but I mistakenly sent it normal mail with other letters that day).

 

However, I've had some problems with the bank account I drew the cheque against, in that the money was in there for the full settlement BUT I'd had some misfortune with not receiving my cash cards, online banking log in, PIN etc and it was effectively a slush account to try and save some money in. Bottom line, I just presumed the cheque would be paid and again, in hindsight I should have been more on the ball in confirming this.

 

However, now - without seemingly any further letters - Jacobs (different bailiff) has appeared and wanted a far increased amount - approx 250 claiming it was all letters, visits etc. When I explained I needed to review his claim, and explained my situation, he simply wasn't interested, saying the money had to be paid within 2 days or he'd be returning and adding more costs.

 

I explained that I wished to address this matter with a third party to review the costs he claimed, as I didn't think the costs were correct, and he said they'd been adjusted for VAT reduction. When I asked if the VAT reduction allowed for the discrepancy the last time (a discrepancy of several hundred pounds) he admitted he'd not read the case notes nor my letters.

 

As usual, his tone was quite arrogant, even threatening, and accusatory - but that's par for the course. I accept there's fault on both parts, but I find they are completely unwilling to listen to anyone or anything unless they can bully money out of people.

 

Question is, what should I do now? Can they charge me for a revisit yesterday? They've my phone number, and they were harrassing when the last time - often ringing 5 or 6 times each incident. This latest fellow was quite forceful in his way, and seemed a 'specialist' in twisting my words and making accusations.

 

I simply can't understand why there isn't a middle ground for bailiff issues. I accept I need to pay what I owe, but it seems like theres never any grounds for reasonableness. I'm aware they generally work on a 'win some lose some' mentality' but one would have thought given my correspondences with them that they may have learned they can't pull their tricks as easy as with some of their victims?

[JonCris]

What you need to do is tell the bailiff that you have sort advice & that as a result of his threatening behaviour & claiming powers which he does not have you will report him to the court where he is registered with the request that his certificate be removed .......... Let him worry over Xmas for a change

 

DON'T WHATEVER YOU DO NOT LET HIM INTO YOUR HOME. Don't EVEN open the door, talk through the letter box if you must

[gigglemal]

I told him I needed to seek external advice & he was quite scornful, however he changed his tune during the conversation from having 'two days' to 'new year' when I said I would be in touch & would address the issue.

 

The biggest problem I have with this company is their reluctance & ignorance to have a level conversation, there's always an underlying tone of threat & arrogance IMO. There's no such thing as appealing to a higher level than them, they just bury their head in the sand and accuse of not wanting to pay. I was less than impressed the council either seem to not care about their tactics, or ARE aware and would rather ignore the issue.

 

How's things going with the complaints about them? I will compile my facts on this particular case and I'd happily submit them to you to help.

 

In the meantime, I'm not confident given the way things have developed in this case that to adopt the stance you suggest would actually do anything, they seem that blinkered. However, that said, I'm prepared to do whatever to settle the matter quickly and simply with the least stress, but whilst doing the right thing too.

 

I have already sent them a letter previously - he admitted he didn't know what a Subject Access Request is - based on the templates available through here (the one where it says entry to levy is refused and warning of their conduct) but this guy is obviously another bailiff who, by his own admission hasn't read the case file or the supplied documentation. All he had was a printed form possibly off their computer, and his own stock letter.

 

I will get the figures as raised and then post again on here, and thanks for your advice.