HELP PLEASE -Marston calling card - £747 owed to council??

freakedbydebt

Hello everyone, I hope you can help with a disturbing card left by the above-

They claim to be coming back within 7days to execute a distress warrant, and have powers under schedule 4a of 'Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act' to enter my property, BY FORCE, using locksmiths where required..

!!!!!!?? I have never harmed anyone in my life, and I live alone so no iea what they could be on about. I am very worried that they could do this, and maybe leave me with a broken lock/door, which I just dont have the money to repair..

For info I have been unemployed for several months, and claiming Jobseekers allowance (now income based), rent and council tax benefit.

I have drafted the following letter, and would appreciate people's view if this is worth sending? I am going to check through letters at home, but cant remember seeing anything from them, since my claims started..

What with job and recent health worries, and other debts (paying mominal amounts at present), this could really tip me over the edge.
many thanks.

freakedbydebt

oop, here's the draft letter. I could only afford very nominal payments at present, until a job is found..

To-
Marston Group
P O Box 308
Waltham Cross
EN3 1ZN
13 March 2009
(TO SEND RECORDED DELIVERY - LOOKS LIKE MARSTON ARE TROUBLE!

Re xxxxxx Council - notice of distress warrant?

Your calling card was found on my doormat, regarding the above.
I have been advised NOT to call you, to avoid any confusion.

I do not understand what balance this refers to, as I have been claiming
both housing (rent) and council tax benefiit- having been unemployed for
some time which has left me with no savings, nor spare income.

Please send me a statement detailing any alleged debt. I will be contacting
the council separately to see what can be done. This is very worrying for me,
and will not help my situation when I am trying to find a new job, and clear
debts (excluding this), which currently total around £3,000.

Please note that any further visits to my home will not be worthwhile -
Anything of real value has already been sold some time ago, in an attempt
to pay other bills. I will hold you responsible for any damage caused.

Thank you.

Forris

This could just be a case of mistaken identity or them having the wrong details. Did the card have your name on it?

For info, here is a link to the Act

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2004/ukpga_20040028_en_1

Do you have any legal assistance cover with anyone that you could use to ask about this? If not, maybe give your local CAB a call.

tyllwyd

I found this page which seems to suggest it would be in connection with an unpaid fine?

http://bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/magistrates_canthebailiff.htm

I don't know if it is a good idea to send a letter or not, but if it was me, I'd leave out the personal information about your debts etc - they really won't care. Just ask them to give you information on what the warrant of distress relates to. And you could try contacting your local magistrates court as well, to see if they have any records of a fine that they've passed on to the baliffs.

freakedbydebt

many thanks, will just do a simple info request- have sent by email to save a day or so post wise,..


(card had my name, handwritten).

Rather put out that they got in the main door, so much for the entryphone!