Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Hello, new member here. I am having probs with man from ........ Bailiffs of ........re council tax arrears. He caught me last week just as I was leaving to fulfil a (self-employed) care assignment with a client (I live in for 2 weeks and do not return home) and told me he was returning with van to remove goods. I asked if he could do that in my absence. He said "yes". Then he told me he would do a "pnc" check to check which was my vehicle and take it. I said I had to have it for my work. He then said he would find it in .......... (town I am working) and in his words "lift it". I was literally shaking with fear as his face was full of hatred. I almost cancelled my booking which would mean no more work, but in the end I got myself together and left, and have since gone online and discovered my rights. Have now written to my local council and the bailiffs to say I will pay half (to the council ONLY) and made a proposal for rest. I will also park my car away from home for the time being when I return. I feel much stronger now and will fight this all the way. I made sure they and the council know I can and WILL pay. Sadly due to illness I have had previous probs with these bailiffs and they know I did pay eventually and my circumstances re work. I had a horrid dream last night probably due to stress in both personal and work life, where I returned home and found my flat broken into and ransacked. God, I pray not. They have not had a peaceful entry previously, so hope ok.

[BAILIFFCHASER]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

To help you you can transfer the car into someone elses name only b4 it has been seized. the quickest way would be to get your mum to be the legal owner and backdate the agreement to1 or 2 weeks before the green men turned up. i know they work from the chambers @ barker road in maidstone. Which council ?

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Hello BailiffChaser and thanks for reply. No family, I am afraid and due to my agency rules and insurance issues this is not something I could undertake, not that I know anyone who would help anyway. All I really want to know is am I acting illegally by "hiding" the car in another street if it has been levied upon? I guess they will find it at some point but it would enable me to keep working and maybe once the Council have got half the money back in 10 days they will call off the bailiffs. Rother is the Council concerned. Bet the bailiffs read all these forums!!

[LavenderRose]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

I had a bailiff call recently and say if I didnt pay in full in two days he would hand my case over to the police who will arrest me and send me to prison. When I complained to his employers he denied saying it!! case ongoing.

LavenderRose

[BAILIFFCHASER]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Is the vehicle owned by you or is it on hp ?

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Cheap and cheerful £100 at best car, owned by me, BailiffChaser. What on earth is the point of taking it when it is essential to my work and repayment will be impossible if they do. However, my original query is the important one for me.

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Today have spoken to the Council on phone from where I am working at the moment and they refuse to call off Bailiffs. Spoke to police asking how I stand re car if I "hide" it assuming it has been levied. They said it would not be a police matter, but a civil one. Suggested I contacted CAB.

[Tools]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

tinky,

The value or condition of the car is of no consequence to them, it is the fear, inconvenience and distress the loss of it will cause you that they play on.

CAB are as much use as a chocolate fireguard and by the time you manage to actually get an appointment to them you will be tucking into your xmas pudding.

Instead of speaking to the Council on the telephone, write to them, stating exactly what has happened and how you are willing to make payment arrangements to repay the arrears at a level you can afford.

I am assuming the bailiffs are Rossendales? If so, Cetelco here may be able to offer you further guidance and there are quite a few threads on here for you to read about them.

[tinky56]

An interesting development this evening - an out of the blue call from the horrible man from Stanford & Green, Bailiffs, on my mobile, saying "We seem to have got off on the wrong foot the day I called....." I told him he put the fear of God into me and I nearly cancelled my care booking I was on my way to as I was shot to pieces after his threats. A very different person seemed to be talking now and he has backed down and given me 3 months to settle, without taking my car. I reckon he knew he was wrong and my letter to them stating I knew my rights made him realise he had gone too far.... yes, I know CAB useless. In my town it is run by sweet old ladies/gents who have to look everything up in legal books and go off to consult other people, leaving you sitting for ages and ages. Thanks, Tools & Bailiff Chaser.

[Tools]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Use the 3 months to make a concerted effort to repay any CT arrears. Write to them, ideally your local Council, making a reasonable offer to repay based on an amount that you can afford. Do not make an offer to repay at a rate that you are likely to fail to meet. Good news re the car but...................remember these are bailiffs, ask for them to confirm your telephone discussion in writing as they have been known to tell porkies . It is always possible that this is a ruse to prevent you hiding your car to make it easier for them to lift. This may be my own cynicism, but they a re bailiffs at the end of the day...........do you trust them?

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Thanks, Tools. I already thought about the fact it could be a ruse re the car and will park it away in any case. Have already written to Council re situation and repayments and they apparently have replied saying I have to deal with bailiffs only and they will not call them off at the mo. Now I have had the phone call from bailiff things have changed somewhat. He said it would be put in writing anyway. But I think my letter to them stating I knew my rights changed things and he knew he had gone too far. We shall see.

[tinky56]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

Thanks, Tools. No, I don't trust them so I will still park away from home. However, I think he has backed down because he knows I am now aware of my rights whereas before, he thought I was a pushover. BUT I am still wary ..... Had already written to Council, everything refused and referred back to bailiffs.

[BAILIFFCHASER]

Re: Bailiffs and Debt Collections Agents: What threats have they made to you?

If a bailiff has levied on your car you can easily send the yellow slip off with your name and address off to dvla. that way you will still remain the legal owner but the bailiff will not be able to confirm in anyway that you own the vehicle.