Equita - Illegal fees

[bluebottle]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Hi,

It might be a good idea to tell the certificated scumbag, sorry, bailiff, if they turn up, that they are risking a ride in a white car or van with blue and yellow battenburg markings on the sides and blue lights on the roof over their "creative" accounting. It is an arrestable offence for them to charge or attempt to charge fees the law does not allow or for work not carried out. The relevant law is Section 2(1), Fraud Act 2006 (Fraud by False Misrepresentation). However, they could also face prosecution under Section 17, Theft Act 1968 (False Accounting).

Follow Labman's advice - solid gold as always - backed up by Puffrose's advice. If the bailiff(s) start giving you a load bovine excrement or become abusive, give them one warning you are going to call the police and give them the opportunity to leave, then ring the police if they do not leave or continue to BS you or continue to be abusive. You do not have to warn them a second time - just ring the police. And don't take any BS from the police that it's a civil matter. Tell them there is a person at your door claiming to be a bailiff, okay, claiming to be a bailiff. They won't argue with that. Never tell the police you have a bailiff at your door, always someone claiming to be a bailiff.

[Toyahsam1979]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Many thanks to all who have posted, it's has really boosted my confidence when dealing with these rogues who use embarrassment as their weapon.

I will download the relevant forms from work tomorrow and get the statutory declaration drafted and sent tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone. This is a brilliant site - keep up all the sound advice. (if I can be of any help my "area" is licensing laws. So if u come across something I might be able to help with please point in my direction. :-)

[bluebottle]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Hi,

It's brilliant to know we have someone who is familiar with the area of the law you are familiar with. Just a snippet of information, you might like to know that Equita are under investigation by Northampton Trading Standards over their "creative" accounting and inability to stick to the fees the law permits. This was broadcast on BBC Radio 5 on Adrian Goldberg's programme so it's in the public domain.

[labman]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Lol - not before time either thieving gits!

[bluebottle]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Lol - not before time either thieving gits!

That's strange, because Rossendale Council think exactly the same as you about Equita, Labman. LOL!

[Toyahsam1979]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Thats good to know. Hopefully something will come of it. Until I started looking into this, I didn't realise just how bad they are. I appreciate they have a job to do, but blatantly lying about the fees they can legally charge is no different to the rogue traders which are on T.V. every week on Watchdog. They hide behind the guise of being Court agents. It really is dispicable.

I might contact my local trading standards too, when and if I finally get the breakdown back - the more pressure that this Country can put on these scumbags to stick to the law the better. Perhaps a few example cases of bailiffs actually being criminally charged with the laws they so blatantly flout would make the rest take notice... Sorry rant over!

[Toyahsam1979]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Bluebottle - I have found the radio snippet you referred to, well I am just downloading it. The link if anyone is interested is http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/5linvestigates

It is the 25 March 2012 episode.

[labman]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

I might contact my local trading standards too, when and if I finally get the breakdown back - the more pressure that this Country can put on these scumbags to stick to the law the better.

You will - it is a legal requirement that they send you a breakdown if you ask for one. :tinysmile_grin_t:

[bluebottle]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Bluebottle - I have found the radio snippet you referred to, well I am just downloading it. The link if anyone is interested is http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/5linvestigates

It is the 25 March 2012 episode.

I can also reveal Plymouth City Council are looking into the conduct of Equita's certificated bailiffs.

[labman]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

Bluebottle - I have found the radio snippet you referred to, well I am just downloading it. The link if anyone is interested is http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/5linvestigates

It is the 25 March 2012 episode.

For anyone listening to this as I just have, the whole podcast is really interesting talking about the Olympic at length, but with a take you would not believe, then heart disease and the fact that twice as many people die in the UK from heart failure as in other European countries, then the bailiffs.

If you only want to listen to the bit about bailiffs it is in the very last few minutes of the 45 minute podcast - as I say it is all a really good listen!

[ploddertom]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

I can also reveal Plymouth City Council are looking into the conduct of Equita's certificated bailiffs.

That will be music to one of the people I am helping.

[labman]

Re: Equita - Illegal fees

I think the investigation of Equita would be music to many peoples' ears. One can only hope that once a few councils get wise to their antics, the desire to investigate them may become contagious.