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Help bailiffs letters re car I know nothing about

In today's post I received 11 letters from CCS Enforcement Services Limited each one about a congestion charge fine. These add up to just over £3,000!!

After I had stopped shaking I tried to puzzle this out. I have never driven so why would these letters be addressed to me? I think I have worked it out. All the fines relate to May and June 2005 when I was living at a different address. I had a lodger staying with me who bought a car (I think this is the car the letters relate to) but am not positive as I have no idea what the registration number was. He went back to Australia in July 2005 and I have no idea what he did with the car.

What do I do now? I don't want to ring them as I get tongue tied and don't know what to say so I will have to write. They are threatening that if the money is not paid within 14 days bailiffs will attend to enforce the Warrant of Execution. This is the first I have heard of any of these fines. How come I have never received any other correspondence?

What is the likelihood of them believing me? Although, as I say, I have never driven and have no licence, OH does drive so what's to stop them thinking he owned this vehicle? Is it up to me to prove I did not own it or up to them to prove I did? I don't have the Australian guy's address only his email.

I really do not want bailiffs coming to my house. If they do come I won't open the door but surely they will just keep coming back?

Help please I feel sick with worry. OH says "oh don't worry we'll sort it" but it's my name on the letters and me the bailiffs are going to come to see. OH is out at work all day and I am home
The world is over 4 billion years old and yet you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie
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Comments

  • rog2
    rog2 Posts: 11,650 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Seems strange that you received 11 letters in one day. Also seems strange that they intend to enforce a warrant. I think that either they have made (God forbid) a mistake or that the car in question is registered (probably incorrectly) at your address.
    Are the letters addressed to you, personally?
    I suggest that you should talk to CAB, certainly before you ring these people.
    I am NOT, nor do I profess to be, a Qualified Debt Adviser. I have made MANY mistakes and have OFTEN been the unwitting victim of the the shamefull tactics of the Financial Industry.
    If any of my experiences, or the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences, can help anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, then my experiences have not been in vain.

    HMRC Bankruptcy Statistic - 26th October 2006 - 23rd April 2007 BCSC Member No. 7

    DFW Nerd # 166 PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS
  • catkins
    catkins Posts: 5,703 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Yes the letters are addressed to me. I don't understand why they relate to May and June 2005, over a year ago and I have received nothing else. I have moved since then but did get my post redirected for a while.
    The world is over 4 billion years old and yet you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie
  • rog2
    rog2 Posts: 11,650 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    catkins wrote:
    Yes the letters are addressed to me. I don't understand why they relate to May and June 2005, over a year ago and I have received nothing else. I have moved since then but did get my post redirected for a while.

    The letters should be addressed to the registered keeper of the vehicle in question, but as you do not drive, and unless one of your family has registered a car in your name (maybe for insurance purposes) it could be that you are the subject of a very nasty case of ID fraud.
    I would, therefore, be tempted to go to the police on this. They should be able, at least, to check with DVLA and establish that you could not have been responsible.
    I am NOT, nor do I profess to be, a Qualified Debt Adviser. I have made MANY mistakes and have OFTEN been the unwitting victim of the the shamefull tactics of the Financial Industry.
    If any of my experiences, or the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences, can help anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, then my experiences have not been in vain.

    HMRC Bankruptcy Statistic - 26th October 2006 - 23rd April 2007 BCSC Member No. 7

    DFW Nerd # 166 PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS
  • tipsychick
    tipsychick Posts: 615 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I'm not sure if there's any way that your Australian lodger could have registered his car at your address but actually in your name. Presumably though, your lodger would have been far more likely to use your husband's name.

    Perhaps the debt collectors have somehow found out that he's now back in Oz and are pursuing you in the hope that you'll just cough up. Your lodger must have sold or given away the car before he left the UK. If the car is no longer registered to him but is registered to someone else, perhaps that's how the debt collectors know that he's back in Oz.

    I think I'd speak to the CAB or one of those solicitors who give you a free half hour.
  • rog2
    rog2 Posts: 11,650 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Certainly do not contact the debt collection agency before you have spoken to CAB/Solicitor - they will try to tie you in knots.

    Good luck
    I am NOT, nor do I profess to be, a Qualified Debt Adviser. I have made MANY mistakes and have OFTEN been the unwitting victim of the the shamefull tactics of the Financial Industry.
    If any of my experiences, or the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences, can help anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, then my experiences have not been in vain.

    HMRC Bankruptcy Statistic - 26th October 2006 - 23rd April 2007 BCSC Member No. 7

    DFW Nerd # 166 PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS
  • catkins
    catkins Posts: 5,703 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    tipsychick wrote:
    I'm not sure if there's any way that your Australian lodger could have registered his car at your address but actually in your name. Presumably though, your lodger would have been far more likely to use your husband's name.

    What do you actually have to do to register a car? Do they check the name and address given. Sory for all the questions - I would ask OH but he is still at work and I have already rung him 4 times today about this!

    I am not totally sure but I don't think the Aussie guy had insurance. Just a gut feeling really. The only reason I think it may be down to him is that it seems the sort of thing he would do. Thought he was a really nice guy which is why we let him stay with us but turned out we were wrong. A few things he did we were not happy with but if he did register his car in my name that is by far the worst thing he did.
    The world is over 4 billion years old and yet you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie
  • Dr.Shoe_2
    Dr.Shoe_2 Posts: 1,028 Forumite
    It looks to me that the debt collectors have been trying for some time to collect from the current owners who have given your address as the residence of the previous owner. They couldn't remember the name of the person they bought the car from so the bailiffs have looked you up on the electoral roll.

    Under these circumstances all you need to do is to tell them that you have never been the owner of the car.
    [strike]-£20,000[/strike] 0!
  • bargainbetty
    bargainbetty Posts: 3,455 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Check with the DVLA to see if the lodger had registered the car in your name. If not, it is the responsibility of the registered keeper, and nothing to do with you.

    Refuse all demands in writing, stating that you are not,nor have you ever been the registered keeper of the vehicle. Therefore, you have nothing further to discuss. Tell them that further contact and/or threats will be considered harrassment.

    Good luck x
    Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps....
    LB moment - March 2006. DFD - 1 June 2012!!! DEBT FREE!



    May grocery challenge £45.61/£120
  • medic1978
    medic1978 Posts: 515 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    tipsychick wrote:
    I'm not sure if there's any way that your Australian lodger could have registered his car at your address but actually in your name.

    All thats required when registering a car in new owners name is a joint declaration on the V5/V5C. I'm not sure what checks are made. My brother has recently registered a used car and wasnt asked any proof of address/identity.

    Could be a very bad case of ID draud.:confused:

    Try this link from DVLA website about receiving fines for vehicle you dont own/never owned

    http://www.dvla.gov.uk/faq/faq_bb.htm
  • When my mum was having problems with bailiffs, I found it very helpful to go over to https://www.consumeractiongroup.com - go to the bailiff forums, there's one guy on there who seems to know everything about bailiffs!
    Proud DFW Nerd #62:wink:

    Became Debt Free in Oct 2006 - uni was hard - financially!! Now need to start again.... :rolleyes2

    PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS :D
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