Problem with Bailiffs

[delacey70]

Hi, I am new on here, and just wanted to say hi to everyone. I found this site whilst searching on the internet.
I have just been to my old address to collect the post and find that theres a warrant for bailiffs to visit to take things for value of £ 461.00. Its a Santander store card ( dot perkins), that honestly I forgot all about - this admittedly is stupid and my fault. It was for about £ 40 at the time. I have another store card with santander(evans) that has my new address on and I am up to date with payments on that. WhenI changed my address with evans I assumed all the santander cards would be changed also, as surely they would know I am the same person ?, maybe not it seems. The warrant therefore is on my old address, do the bailiffs have the right, to come to my new address with this warrant. I intend to pay it, but I am scared its got this far. I am on benefits as my husband left me and 4 kids about 8 weeks back, so my circumstances have changed too, I was living off his excellent salary till then hey ho.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I am scared stiff and have told my boys not to answer door to anyone.

[Celestine]

Re: Problem with Bailiffs

Hi Delacey

Welcome to Legal Beagles :beagle:

This is a store card debt, so a bailiffs 'warrant' is just an empty threat from a debt collection agency DCA. What is the exact wording on this 'warrant'?

Until we get further info, your advice to the boys is spot on, do not let anyone in, they have zero right of entry. But I SERIOUSLY doubt anyone will actually show up at all.

Type up the exact wording for us and the name of the company issuing this so called warrant, should be interesting!

[WendyB]

Re: Problem with Bailiffs

Presumably if the mail is going to your old address then the "bailiffs" wouldn't know your new address anyway, so they are hardly likely to turn up there. For a store card debt they have about as much right of entry as the pizza guy, so I wouldn't worry about it. You will find that this is just a scare tactic from a DCA. There's probably about a million late fees etc been added on to the original debt as well, all of which can be challenged. For now, just file it under I for Ignore. If you feel a desperate need, send them the "Prove It" letter from Curlyben's sticky. Using your old address, of course.

[labman]

Re: Problem with Bailiffs

Totally agree with the above.

[Amy]

Re: Problem with Bailiffs

Have you been taken to court for this debt and has a judgment been awarded against you?

It may well be an empty threat from a debt collector, however, some debt collectors do have bailiff powers, but as above, there needs to have been a court claim before this point.