Ooo the bailiffs are coming, how exciting ANOTHER UPDATE!

flower_chops

jessicamb wrote:

I cant believe that they would send somebody round to your house for £15.

Its probably just a scare tactic.

I had a bailiff from the council come round when I was living with my parents for, get this, an overdue library book.:eek:

I clean forgot I had it so just gave it to them. However, when they first turned up they were shouting about "give us £1.80 in the late fines". I couldn't stop laughing and neither could my Mum and stepdad who came to see what the commotion was. He looked like a classic school teacher with a big beard and tweed jacket with elbow patches, so if yours is anything like that offer cheese and wine maybe?! Before I knew what it was all about though it was quite scary cos it was about 10pm.

Seriously though, I understand that, like vampires, they can't enter unless invited so don't let em in! I do wonder what would have happened if I didn't have £1.80 or the book...mum suggested they could have a pair of socks to make up the money!!!!!!

ZTD

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

Mmmm just looking at some stuff on the net - a bailiff is not the same as a Debt Collection person - a bailiff is sent by the court - and as far as I'm aware this 'debt' hasn't gone to court

http://www.payplan.com/debt-library/bailiffs-bailiff-law.php?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=128506

although I assume the company will still add charges on if they send someone out?

A bailiff needs a court order. A representative from the company can come out, but they have no more or less powers than me (for example); the bloke 3 doors down from you; or John Smith of 22 The Copse, Milford Haven.

The can slap charges on anything they want. In fact I'm going to slap a charge on you now for reading this. I'm also going to slap a charge on you for not exercising properly today, and a futher charge because you haven't had your 5 portions of fruit and veg today.

Like them, I stand no chance of getting it paid.

You've paid your debt. There is no way a court is going to force you to pay your debt again, so they are pretty much reduced to empty threats to try to squeeze money out of you.

MinnieSpender

I echo the above. As you can prove the debt has been paid, any DJ in a court would give them a severe telling off for wasting court time. (This happened to an ex-employer of mine who took a client to court for about £100 in "charges".)

They won't take it further. They're chancers.

kenshaz

Make sure all your doors and windows are locked,do not answer the door to any stranger,NEVER EVER EVER ,INVITE THEM IN,do not discuss the situation with them,if they threaten you ,call the police.Have a camera loaded with film,in case they exceed your rights

Mrs_Arkwright

ZTD wrote:

A bailiff needs a court order. A representative from the company can come out, but they have no more or less powers than me (for example); the bloke 3 doors down from you; or John Smith of 22 The Copse, Milford Haven.

The can slap charges on anything they want. In fact I'm going to slap a charge on you now for reading this. I'm also going to slap a charge on you for not exercising properly today, and a futher charge because you haven't had your 5 portions of fruit and veg today.

Like them, I stand no chance of getting it paid.

You've paid your debt. There is no way a court is going to force you to pay your debt again, so they are pretty much reduced to empty threats to try to squeeze money out of you.

Does that include the fee they've already charged though?

The original bill was for 20 quid, which I paid and the cheque was cashed at the beginning of this week. The account was referred to the DCA on 24 July, I sent the cheque before that (although I suppose I cannot prove that they actually received it before then).

The DCA bill I've had today is for 35 quid (the original 20 plus their 15). She said on the phone that she can see they've had the 20 quid and now I must still pay the 15. So I suppose rather than the Britannia bill, it's their charge that is now in question.

And you're absolutely spot on, I have neither exercised nor eaten any fruit and veg today. I have, however, killed in excess of 300 ants that appeared in my lounge from out of the window sill. Will you accept that in full and final settlement?:)

MinnieSpender

I still think they're chancers.

When I worked for a debt collection team (oh yes, I have a shameful past - but useful!), we had to ensure that we'd made checks that any monies had been paid before we went any further. You'd be amazed at how many cheques were "lost" or paid into wrong accounts.

As Britannia cashed your cheque, they obviously received it. They mislaid it. They should pay your charges. I suggest to tell DCA to chase their clients for their fee. And write to Britannia telling them that this is what you have done - and cc DCA into the letter while you're about it.

ZTD

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

Does that include the fee they've already charged though?

The original bill was for 20 quid, which I paid and the cheque was cashed at the beginning of this week. The account was referred to the DCA on 24 July, I sent the cheque before that (although I suppose I cannot prove that they actually received it before then).

The DCA bill I've had today is for 35 quid (the original 20 plus their 15). She said on the phone that she can see they've had the 20 quid and now I must still pay the 15. So I suppose rather than the Britannia bill, it's their charge that is now in question.

Britannia called them in, without giving you a reasonable time to pay. Britannia is at fault, but the chances of a DCA getting them to pay is zero - hence the threatening action trying to put the squeeze on you. If they annoy you again, say that they are harassing you, you'll only respond to letters which you are saving for a newspaper article on irresponsible DCAs and get BT to block their number.

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

And you're absolutely spot on, I have neither exercised nor eaten any fruit and veg today.

Ooof! :eek: Drop and give me twenty!

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

I have, however, killed in excess of 300 ants that appeared in my lounge from out of the window sill. Will you accept that in full and final settlement?:)

How about five hundred. In good condition.

freebird65

I know this isn't meant to be funny but some of the comments on here have had me laughing out loud.....what a humourous bunch DFW's are in adversity!

Seriously though, I have to agree with the majority - you've paid your debt and they're hoping to scare you into paying them as well. Threaten them with Trading Standards or whichever body is responsible for debt collecting agencies - that should make them shut up. I believe they have to have a license for their business and they won't want it revoked!

SBF40

As Britannia cashed your cheque, they obviously received it. They mislaid it. They should pay your charges. I suggest to tell DCA to chase their clients for their fee. And write to Britannia telling them that this is what you have done - and cc DCA into the letter while you're about it.

Just to add to Minniespender, send your letters by recorded delivery - so you have further proof of sending them and a record of a signature and therefore further proof someone at that company has received them.

spud30

Have you not got a bank statement showing the cheque being debited from your account.

You could show it to the bailiff to prove you have paid.