They are threatening Bailiff action if I do not pay within 7 days. I have never spoken to or heard of them before. They claim they have recorded all their calls but will not send me a copy and the debt is now with a recovery agency. HELP!!!
2006-12-05 05:40:54 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Contact Citizens Advice Bureau as they will be able to demand these records. It sounds a little like this could be a scam in which they are attempting to scare you into paying to avoid the bailiff action that they are threatening. If this is the case then they are guilty of 'demanding money with menaces' a crime which is punishable with a custodial sentence.
2006-12-05 05:46:43 · answer #1 · answered by Litmus180 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Citizens Advice Bureau is your best bet. If a Bailiff comes he will have paperwork. If not call the cops.
The debt must be enforced through the courts.
xxB
2006-12-05 05:43:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Office of Fair Trading has issued guidelines to ensure that any debt collectors proceed properly and without harrassment of their targets. If you are being harrassed, then you would be well advised to get in touch with your CAB, as others have suggested, or with AdviceUK, a large network of advice-providing organisations. Their contact details are available on their website www.adviceuk.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7407 4070.
Meanwhile, from what you say the position is this. You are being pursued for a debt of which you know nothing. There are claims of taped telephone conversations with you. If you know nothing of these people, then this claim is blatantly false. If you haven't spoken with them, they can't have taped your voice. It is against the Data Protection legislation to tape a telephone conversation without warning the person concerned, which is an interesting fact with which to confront them if they persist. Where, then, is the evidence of this debt?
These people can't send in the bailiffs without obtaining a court order and if they apply to the court, then the court has to notify you, so that you have an opportunity to defend yourself. At the moment they seem to be doing what they can to frighten you, but they are not going to want to risk taking this matter to court if there really is no evidence of any debt against you. Stand firm and make it quite clear that if they try it on, you will be there to defend yourself against them and may well be making a counterclaim against them for the harrassment they are causing you.
These people are clearly bullies and they like to have people cowed and trembling and paying up what they owe. They are not used to people standing up for themselves. If this turns out to be a case of mistaken identity, the last thing they want is trouble with authorities such as the Office of Fair Trading. Just stand up for your rights and take advice. Above all, don't allow yourself to be cowed. If these people are pursuing you for a debt that you never incurred, they could end up in worse trouble than you!
2006-12-05 06:20:22 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a solicitor asap. The company have to prove they gave this service. If a bailiff arrives, don`t let them in, call the police and then your solicitor. It could after all be a scam.
2006-12-05 05:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by Social Science Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your Citizen Advice Bureau for informed advice.
2006-12-05 05:44:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report it to police
2006-12-05 05:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋