Equita bailiffs - letter

[ptor]

Hello everyone.

I just received a very disturbing letter from a company called Equita, stating that I owe them 108 GBP, and demanding immediate payment, or my goods will be removed and sold on auction. There was also a telephone number on which I called, and got transfered to bailiff's number (voicemail answered, i asked for contact to explain why they think I owe them anything). The problem is - the letter I got isn't explain anything (simply - "You owe us money. We are very disappointed that you still didn't pay. Pay now"!). I still don't knhow why they think I owe them money, I haven't received any other letters from them or from anyone else. I've read on Equita website that they are dealing with mortgages, council tax and road conviction issues. From those three option, only the last one is possible. I don't have mortgage, and - since I arrived to this country - never paid a council tax. I contacted DVLA - no penalty points on my drivers license. So, the only logical explanation is - parking fine. But, I never got any letters stating that I parked illegally and have to pay fine. And never saw a charge ticket behind my wiper...

So - what should I do now? I'm scarred like hell of this all... If I really got a fine, I would like to pay it, and finish the whole story. I only want to know what I done... What should be my next step?

Kind regards
Peter

[shamen]

Re: Equita bailiffs - letter

Bear in mind Equita do not just deal with council tax and fines - they also deal with private debts such as (non council) parking fines, credit collections and more. You may have simply received a 'threat-o-gram' which is standard industry practice.

since I arrived to this country - never paid a council tax

Can you clarify this a bit more? Just because you have not paid council tax does not mean you do not owe it. However, an amount of £108 for council tax seems small, but it could be a council tax recovery for partial council tax (for example, one month when you first arrived here). In general, if you buy property or rent an entire property then you are liable for council tax, irrespective of if you were 'asked' to pay it. If you have never owned property or rented an entire property (by that, i mean something like a flat or house which was rented in your name), then its unlikely this is council tax.

I think the first thing is to ascertain are Equita working as bailiffs, or are they working as recovery and *threatening* bailiffs later on. Every letter I have received from a civil Debt Collection Agency has threatened bailiffs removing my property. In all the time I have received such letters (on and off over 14 years) no one has ever turned up at my door or removed my property, but on the other hand I have always paid council tax and any government related fine I had.

If this is a government debt (council tax, road finds, council parking fine) then the chances of bailiffs are high. If its a civil debt (credit card, phone company, bank etc) then the chances are low.

Can you scan or photograph the letter you received, removing all personal details and account numbers, and post a copy here? Are you receiving phone calls? Anyone calling at your door?

If you cant scan or photograph the letter, can you transcript it (type it out without personal details) in a post?

[ptor]

Re: Equita bailiffs - letter

Thank you for answer.

I never paid a council tax, because all this time I was living with my family, and the house I lived in was theirs.

And the letter I received was pretty short:

"TAKE FORMAL NOTICE

We are disappointed to find the outstanding Penalty Charge Notice still remains unpaid.
Take notice that our Certificated Bailiff and removal contractors will be calling to remove your goods for sale at public auction.
All additional costs incurred in the enforcement of this order will be added to your debt and involve you in considerable additional costs.
If you wish to pay the debt immediately rather than have your goods taken, call the above office now to send the 108 GBP immediately."

And that's it. I would like to know what Penalty Charge I didn't pay? And why. I'm not trying to avoid paying if i'm REALLY on debt. However, I was always very strict on going into debt with anyone, i'm paying all my bills on time. I never received anything that can tell me "you have to pay fine" or "you are in debt". This is the first such letter since I live here (4 years).

What I really want from Equita is to provide me a proof that I really owe them 108GBP. Then I will pay, if it is really my debt...

Kind regards
Peter

[Amy]

Re: Equita bailiffs - letter

You need to have a read of this guide Parking Fine Guide - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

[CleverClogs]

Re: Equita bailiffs - letter

Isn't Equita part of the celebrated Crapita group of companies?

Might that explain why the first contact made was when the bailiffs contacted Peter?

One might wonder if his motor-car was even in the town in question when the PCN was issued.