Car clamped by Newlyn Bailiffs

ninmas

Have been reading this site for last two years and have never posted but always felt strengthened by it (the site!). Desperately trying to get myself debt free and have paid off overdraft and am now always in the black which is a wonderful feeling. Just the credit cards now which I am slowly paying off. Was hoping my first post would be positive but unfortunately not: I had my car clamped today by Newlyn Bailiffs for an outstanding pcn from LB of Harrow. I called Harrow and the pcn dates back to the 6th December 2008. Apparently it was a CCTV pcn but I have never received any information from Harrow Council or Newlyn until a month ago when I got a letter from Newlyn asking for £500+ and very little information other than phone number and a reference number. As I've only ever been to Harrow once, and that was in the evening after 8pm, I admittedly (stupidly I now know) ignored the letter. Today I returned to my car to find it clamped, called the bailiff (Dan or Dave Keene) and he's demanding £747 to remove the clamp. I am currently unemployed, on benefits and a lone parent (please don't judge me, there are serious reasons behind these issues) and have no way of paying this extortionate amount of money. I'm also studying for a degree. WHAT DO I DO???? PLEASE HELP ME. I'm so scared, I can't lose my car.
Thank you.
p.s in the meantime have been doing some research and found that there are other site users who have received a pcn from LB of Harrow for the exact same 'contravention' as me: turning right from Station Road into Bonnersfield Road where there is no right turn. Believe me, if there had been a no right turn sign I would not have turned right.

grahamlaw

PM Herbie21. She helped me today with bailiffs. She's an expert. Did you tell the bailiff your on benefits and a single parent?

ninmas

Sorry graham, but what do you mean by PM Herbie21? I'm a newbie so don't really understand all the jargon...! I was so shaken after he told me how much it was going to cost that I can't really remember everything that I said to him. I do remember saying I was unemployed and had no way of getting that kind of money and after asking him if I could pay in instalments he just said to call friends or relatives to loan me the money and pay them back in instalments.

grahamlaw

HA, yeah I know the feeling.

You need to send a private message to Herbie21. She has helped me today. From what you have said above she can help. Your situation is not far different to mine.

ninmas

Thank you so much, I will do that straight away. God, it's so frightening but after reading your situation and others I take comfort in knowing there is a way to fight and not get instantly demotivated and deflated thinking there is nowhere to turn. I thank God for you Martyn Lewis and your colleagues, and not forgetting all you wonderful posters out there, for this amazing site.

grahamlaw

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1861957&highlight=bailiff

This is my earlier thread. It's not over yet but I plan to win and I hope it gives you confidence.

ninmas

Thank you, it has given me the confidence and strength to go through with this. Do I send a private message via Herbie21's bailiffadviceonline website?

grahamlaw

No you can send it from here. You could use the phone number but it's late now and you probably need to wait until 9 in the morning.

I have just read your first post again. If there is no sign where there should be you can go back and take a picture to prove it.

ninmas

Just to say I have sent a rather long pm (hark at me!) to Herbie21 and hopefully she will be able to help me. Once I've sorted the bailiff situation out I'm definitely going to get onto Harrow Council with some pics.
Once again thank you, will update tomorrow.

looktothefuture

ok good old Dave is back in action is he? He was the bailliff who handled my unpaid Council Tax case! He's actually not all that bad when you get to know him (not that you're willing to hang about to find out! LOL!)

Totally second giving Herbie21 a buzz to find out what to do next... she was brilliant with my case!

ninmas

Hoping I won't be getting to know him! Thanks for the support, it really makes a difference...