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Hi,
I'm new here, so please bear with me. I did browse the site and already found useful information, but would still appreciate further advice.
My situation (I will try to keep it as short as possible):
Received a letter from London South West and West Courts on the 15th of Feb 2011 informing me that I "had failed to make payment as directed" etc. for a sum of £45 an that should I pay within 10 working days nothing else would happen. This was the first letter I received by the way. This might be because my post code is wrong on the letter...
I was stopped this summer while riding my bicycle on the footpath (I know, what a criminal I am!) and the community support officer had taken my name and address, so I presumed this was what the fine was for, although the offense was not mentioned in the letter. I tried calling the court on the number provided 0845 940 0111, but soon found out there was no-one there to take my call (must have spent a total of 3 hours in a queue on various days). So I decided to just pay the bloody fine and thought that would be the end of it. I paid it online and received instant automatic confirmation that my payment was received on the 19th of Feb (technically 11 working days from the date of the letter).
Then Philips Specialist Bailiff & Debt Recovery Agents came into the picture (and they seem to be quite popular on here). Received a first letter from them (not dated!) asking me to pay an outstanding amount of £120. Called them (rudest person I ever talked to), tried to explain my case and they asked me to send proof of payment. Which I did by email only to receive an automated reply saying they would try to read my message within 7 to 10 working days. Called them again, telling them not to send me any more letters since I just did what they asked from me. Needless to say, we are now 13 days later and I have not received an answer to my email but today found another letter from them in the post...
"Notice of intention to enter & search your premises", hmmm, that doesn't sound too good. Received the letter today, dated the 7th of March 2011... again asking me to pay the outstanding amount of £120 within 7 days (they seem to be able to drop these letters in the box the minute the notice has expired).
I might be sounding light hearted, but this is really starting to annoy me. As far as I'm concerned I have paid a fine in full ages ago to London South West and West courts, so I'd like these bailiffs to leave me alone already.
I'm now unsure on what to do. I could just give in, call them tomorrow and pay the £120 (I'm not even very bothered about the money), but that just feels so wrong. I feel I am being bullied and giving in would just send them the signal that they can go on doing this to other people. At the same time, I just want peace of mind.
Right, I really hope I didn't bore anyone to death with my story and would of course welcome any feedback and / or advice on what to do.
Thanks a lot in advance!
I'm new here, so please bear with me. I did browse the site and already found useful information, but would still appreciate further advice.
My situation (I will try to keep it as short as possible):
Received a letter from London South West and West Courts on the 15th of Feb 2011 informing me that I "had failed to make payment as directed" etc. for a sum of £45 an that should I pay within 10 working days nothing else would happen. This was the first letter I received by the way. This might be because my post code is wrong on the letter...
I was stopped this summer while riding my bicycle on the footpath (I know, what a criminal I am!) and the community support officer had taken my name and address, so I presumed this was what the fine was for, although the offense was not mentioned in the letter. I tried calling the court on the number provided 0845 940 0111, but soon found out there was no-one there to take my call (must have spent a total of 3 hours in a queue on various days). So I decided to just pay the bloody fine and thought that would be the end of it. I paid it online and received instant automatic confirmation that my payment was received on the 19th of Feb (technically 11 working days from the date of the letter).
Then Philips Specialist Bailiff & Debt Recovery Agents came into the picture (and they seem to be quite popular on here). Received a first letter from them (not dated!) asking me to pay an outstanding amount of £120. Called them (rudest person I ever talked to), tried to explain my case and they asked me to send proof of payment. Which I did by email only to receive an automated reply saying they would try to read my message within 7 to 10 working days. Called them again, telling them not to send me any more letters since I just did what they asked from me. Needless to say, we are now 13 days later and I have not received an answer to my email but today found another letter from them in the post...
"Notice of intention to enter & search your premises", hmmm, that doesn't sound too good. Received the letter today, dated the 7th of March 2011... again asking me to pay the outstanding amount of £120 within 7 days (they seem to be able to drop these letters in the box the minute the notice has expired).
I might be sounding light hearted, but this is really starting to annoy me. As far as I'm concerned I have paid a fine in full ages ago to London South West and West courts, so I'd like these bailiffs to leave me alone already.
I'm now unsure on what to do. I could just give in, call them tomorrow and pay the £120 (I'm not even very bothered about the money), but that just feels so wrong. I feel I am being bullied and giving in would just send them the signal that they can go on doing this to other people. At the same time, I just want peace of mind.
Right, I really hope I didn't bore anyone to death with my story and would of course welcome any feedback and / or advice on what to do.
Thanks a lot in advance!
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