So worried. Please Help!

CareyStar

Hi all,

received a letter in the post today for my husband that is from the courts for a parking fine issued some time ago - we've moved since the time of the alledged offense and changed car. It's entitled a further steps notice and seems to give us 10 days to pay up. We didn't know anything about it but says as we have 'failed to pay' it will do one or more of several scary things, including putting the judgment in the register effecting our ability to maintain credit.

Do you think it will have already got to this stage?! I am terrified my husband's credit rating might have already been impacted as it is obviously a letter from a court service.

Am happy to pay within the 10 days but wondering what long term repercussions there are. He wasn't driving at the time - it could only have been me but am not aware of any tickets.

Please help. I am so worried. How can I ensure any flack comes my way?!?!:eek:

McKneff

First of all stop worrying, it wont help.
You say its from the courts then you say that they say they will further steps
so giving the impression it is not from a proper 'court'

Is there a name on the letterhead.
Does it say whether the 'fine' was from the police, council or a private company.
Could you post the letter on here so that we can help yu further.
its amazing how many cowboys are on the make regarding car parking fines.
Dont pay anything till you get more advice here.

CareyStar

Hi McKeff

It says on the letter head it is from Her Majestys Courts Service, Central Finance Office.

It is entitled FURTHER STEPS NOTICE

The amount you owe is £45

As you have failed to make payments as directed, you are hereby given notice that one or more of the following steps listed below will be taken against you:

Issue a Warrant of distress for the purpose of levying the sum due

Register the account in the register of judgments, orders and fines, which could restric future credit options......

Make an attachment of earnings order

make a clamping rder

refer your case to cour, which may decide to increase your fine by %50, take further action or commit you to prison

Take any further steps as permitted under provisions of fine collection regulations.

PAYMENT IN FULL WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS OF THIS NOTICE WILL CANCEL ANY FURTHER ACTION.

And then it goes on about the right of appeal within 10 days.

McKneff

can you post this letter on here without your details on it.
Some of these jokers send letters like this to put the frighteners on so you pay up.

If you dont get any help on here but I,m sure you will ring the court on Monday but dont ring the number on the letter. Look up the number your self and ask them or even better go in.

Ah= i have just spotted that they are saying 'refer your case to court' so they have not taken it to court yet. It seems to be full of discrepancies.

Only a court could do any of the things listed.
But they have the court in the list.
Just wait for now but it would be instantly helpful if you could get your letter on to here so we can have a proper look and decide which way to help you.
Failing everything else, go into a police station tomorrow and ask if its from a proper court just to stop you worrying. its very suss, i must admit.
but try not to worry. I know its easter said than done but if it is genuine
(and i dont think it is) there is always the appeals process.

Have a look at the PePipoo website re parking its very informative.

McKneff

By the way, how has the lette suddenly found you if you have moved address and changed your car.

CareyStar

Thanks. I can't scan it in, I'm afraid as it's not working but I've typed it in my post (pretty much) word for word. As for finding us, I guess they've run a credit check or something to trace us.

Quentin

What address is it from. Is it really from a court?

McKneff

do you have a digital camera.

Sagaris

I think there are places (might even be DVLA) that you can pay and trace car index numbers - quite easy to do, so that's how they would have found you.

peter_the_piper

CareyStar wrote: »

Hi McKeff

It says on the letter head it is from Her Majestys Courts Service, Central Finance Office.

It is entitled FURTHER STEPS NOTICE

The amount you owe is £45

As you have failed to make payments as directed, you are hereby given notice that one or more of the following steps listed below will be taken against you:

Issue a Warrant of distress for the purpose of levying the sum due

Register the account in the register of judgments, orders and fines, which could restric future credit options......

Make an attachment of earnings order

make a clamping rder

refer your case to cour, which may decide to increase your fine by %50, take further action or commit you to prison

Take any further steps as permitted under provisions of fine collection regulations.

PAYMENT IN FULL WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS OF THIS NOTICE WILL CANCEL ANY FURTHER ACTION.

And then it goes on about the right of appeal within 10 days.

This does not ring true as a genuine council/court letter. Please find a way, using camera or camera phone to host on tinypic. copy the url on here leaving a gap between the http and the rest. It looks on the face of it a scam fishing letter from a psuedo legal mob.

Paradigm

Who does it say you have to make payment to? Name & address please.