Recieved Bailiff Removal Notice For Parking Tickets... But I Don't Even Have A Car!!!

invincible

Hi,

This is my first post here... wish it wasn't such an upsetting one!!

I got a red letter yesterday from JBW Enforcement Ltd (Certificated Bailiffs) saying that despite previous efforts my balance remains outstanding and a court warrant has been obtained to enter my property and remove goods to sell at auction.

This is the first time I've ever heard from them, or anyone else for that matter, regarding this debt which I apparently have!

They say will hold my file for 5 days and accept a reduced sum of £262.71. I was going to give them a call but being weekend the lines are closed so it'll have to wait until Tuesday (unless they're open on a bank holiday which I doubt!).

Anyway, I found their web site and entered the reference numbers and it turns out the client is Westminister City Council and the debt is for parking tickets. The address on file is where I lived when I was at University, which I left like 2 years ago!!

Here's the crazy part...

I don't even have a car! In fact, I'm still learning to drive and hold a provisional license.... how in the world could I have unpaid parking tickets?

If anyone can offer some advice I'd really appreciate it. If these guys come to my door it would really freak out my poor mum big time so I can't let that happen!!

Cheers,
John

fiveyearplan

Hi Invincible. So you've never had a car? Did you live with anyone at that address who had a car? It sounds strange. I think the first thing would be to ring the debt collector and Westminster Council on Tuesday morning to see where they got your details. Maybe you should also contact DVLA as they will be the ones who gave out your address.

invincible

No, never had a car.

It was a rented property so they probably got me mixed up with someone else that was living there at one time? I'm going to definitely contact the council too.

What a joke!!

Browntoa

or someones just registered your details for the car owner from mail at that old address

invincible

Is that identify theft then?

What do I do if I find out this is the case?

rog2

invincible wrote: »

Is that identify theft then?

What do I do if I find out this is the case?

In the first instance, you should go to the Police. You may have to insist, but they are legally bound to record your 'crime report'. Give them a statement and they should, at least, issue you with a 'crime number'.
Then, and BEFORE you communicate with JBW enforcements, seek some advice from your local Law Advice Centre, CAB or another legal charity.

For some professional advice, you could try a pm to Herbie 21, whose own website is ; www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

Hopefully she will see your thread - I'm off for a couple of hours (Formula 1 :rolleyes: ), but if she hasn't appeared by the time I get back, I, too, will pm her.

invincible

Well, I gave Westminister Council a call and they said I have over £3000 worth of unpaid parking tickets! LOL

Apparently, they got my details from DVLA. I just called them too and they confirmed that I was apparently the registered owner of the vehicle. I was told to write/fax a signed letter to DVLA with the registration number, my details, and a statement similar to what I told them over the phone.

I'll PM you Herbie21 re the statutory declaration and the JBW email. As for the details, I logged in to JBW's site and it gave me the registration number which is what I shared with DVLA. Aside from telling me it's a parking type case, it doesn't really say much else except that I there's a balance owing of £262.71.

This is going to be fun... :rolleyes:

RAS

Hi

Methinks you need to sort out three things now.

1. Follow up the inmediate problem with the bailiffs as advised by Herbie21.You need that statuatory declaration ASAP.

2.If Westminister has £3000 of tickets, I would be very surprised this is the only borough with tickets in your name. I would suggest finding out the date of the most recent ticket from Westminster.

Certainly, you should follow up rog's advice and get a crime number, if nothing else to protect yourself from future visits from the bailiffs. Then go back to Westminster and ask them what documentation they need to "clear your name".

3. On the obvious identity theft, you need some legal advice.

Depending where you are (small town, it might be useful, big city maybe not) you could try going to your local police station and asking to speak to them. if you do not ask, you have no way of findig out if there is a problem. Otherwise either see if you can get a free half hour or pay £50 for a good solicitor.

My concerns are three fold

a) there are lots of debts in your name and you need to protect yourself from debt collectors.
b) There could also be other offences showing up on your record that you have not committed? This could affect whatever insurance you may have now or in the future. It might even affect your chance of getting some jobs. The police may be prepared to check for you whether there is a problem (take your ID with you when you go). If not, you might want to get a CRB check done and get it cleaned up.
c) It may also be that this person has obtained credit in your name? So you need to get all three credit checks to make sure that there are no unexpected accounts in your name. If anything untoward shows up, then you need to get a CIFAS listing on your record and to contact the credit referecne agencies regarding the problem. This means that extra checks must be done before credit is given to anyone using your ame. Unfortunately, it also makes it harder to get credit yourself (some creditors do not seem to understand the difference between check this out and this is fraudulent), but that may be better then have a wrecked credit rating.

Broken_hearted

RAS is right have a good look through all the credit reference agencies to make sure they havn't done anything else. I feel you are in for a hard fight good luck, hope the person who did it is caught soon.

invincible

I sent the below PM to Herbie a few moments ago and just wanted to post it here too in case anyone wanted to give any further advice.

Just to let you know I haven't received any email from you, just in case you did send one but it didn't come through.

It's now 5 days since the date on the red letter so I'm starting to panic. Since I've communicated with the the council and the DVLA I think it may be better for me to call JBW first thing tomorrow and explain the situation and see what they say?

Surely if I tell them that's I'm the victim of identity fraud they'd at least give me some time so I can prove myself? Or do you think they'd just try to apply more pressure and not believe a word I say?

invincible

Oh yes, I've also applied for a credit report to see if I see anything fishy.

When I have some spare time I'll also get some professional legal advice for this situation I'm in.

I also wanted to just say a big thank you to everyone on this forum for their support and advice. I'm at a loss for words after seeing how caring and helpful you guys all are!!