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As one, I hear shouts of " They are both (all) lowlife scumbags, there is no difference!!"
Whilst the former is more than likely true, the latter most certainly is not.
A Bailiff is a person or company to whom a debt has been passed for enforcement, such as Council Tax debt, or Magistrate's fines. The bailiff does not own the debt, he/she/they are merely employed to collect the debt on behalf of the Council or Court. Bailiffs can charge legitimate fees for visits, levies etc which they carry out in the persuance of the outstanding fine or Liability Order.
As the Bailiff does not own the debt, there is NO requirement for a NoA (Notice of Assignment.) The debt HAS NOT been assigned to them, they are merely acting for the Court or Council to enforce the debt.
A DCA (Debt Collection Agency) is also used for collecting debts, but these are not debts such as those mentioned above. Usually unpaid loans, credit agreements, catalogues etc. DCAs sometimes collect on behalf of the creditor, and sometimes actually buy the debts, meaning that you then owe the DCA, not the original creditor. If the debt is sold on to a DCA, then a NoA, Notice of Assignment, and a Hello letter are required from the DCA, as well as a Goodbye letter from the OC. (In simple terms, that is)
Whilst I realise that this is a very simplified version, I feel that it might help the less experienced, and people who have only recently begun to have dealings with either/or Bailiffs or DCAs. There is a world of difference between the two, and knowing what the differences are helps a lot in the way you approach your dealings with them.
Whilst the former is more than likely true, the latter most certainly is not.
A Bailiff is a person or company to whom a debt has been passed for enforcement, such as Council Tax debt, or Magistrate's fines. The bailiff does not own the debt, he/she/they are merely employed to collect the debt on behalf of the Council or Court. Bailiffs can charge legitimate fees for visits, levies etc which they carry out in the persuance of the outstanding fine or Liability Order.
As the Bailiff does not own the debt, there is NO requirement for a NoA (Notice of Assignment.) The debt HAS NOT been assigned to them, they are merely acting for the Court or Council to enforce the debt.
A DCA (Debt Collection Agency) is also used for collecting debts, but these are not debts such as those mentioned above. Usually unpaid loans, credit agreements, catalogues etc. DCAs sometimes collect on behalf of the creditor, and sometimes actually buy the debts, meaning that you then owe the DCA, not the original creditor. If the debt is sold on to a DCA, then a NoA, Notice of Assignment, and a Hello letter are required from the DCA, as well as a Goodbye letter from the OC. (In simple terms, that is)
Whilst I realise that this is a very simplified version, I feel that it might help the less experienced, and people who have only recently begun to have dealings with either/or Bailiffs or DCAs. There is a world of difference between the two, and knowing what the differences are helps a lot in the way you approach your dealings with them.
