Jbw help urgent

[Guest]

Hi

My partner incurred some dart charge fines. In November we made a payment arrangement to pay £190.50 on 20th of each month. On 20th December we paid £191. Then on 20th January we paid £190. This was a complete oversight. They emailed to confirm payment had been received and the account for one fine had been settled. I then received an email to state that payment hadn't been received I forwarded the email confirmation of payment. It didn't register that it was over a 50p underpayment.
My partner received a text yesterday to say that further action was being taken but he was unable to respond as he had dropped his phone in water. He then subsequently forgot to mention it when we got home from work. Today the bailiff called to say he was at our home to remove goods. I called JBW to discuss the case with them and explained the oversight but then realised we had overpaid in December by that 50p so effectively we had stuck to the payment arrangement in place. They said we hadn't as we hadn't paid the extra 50p due on 20th January! They have now added another £235 to our account and are threatening to come and remove goods! I think this is really unreasonable and need advice on where we stand with this please. We have 3 children and I am worried they will be here first thing on the morning. We have no means to pay this. I have asked to set up a new arrangement and as yet have not heard anything. I'd be grateful for any advice thank you

[ploddertom]

You are not going to like this but unfortunately JBW are correct. The extra you paid in December is seen as a voluntary payment and not a contribution to the next months instalment. Having said that I do find they are being pedantic over this and should have applied a little common sense, but they have seen the opportunity to add the Enforcement Fee to garner more money for themselves and the attending Bailiff. Providing they have never gained access previously then all they can do when they attend your address is to knock and ask for the outstanding. They have no automatic right of entry and definitely cannot force entry.

The chances are though that they have your vehicle reg no which makes it easier to target that if it is available so best bet for now is to remove it to a locked garage or better still park on a neighbours drive. As for the grief they are giving you over this have you tried to contact Dart Charge to see if they will intervene over this.