Bbc Bailiffs Whisleblower

wotnext

iwanttosave wrote:

I was thinking the same, getting a campain going that will force the government to reign them in.

Someone with a bit of clout really ought to back a campaign against these people. As it stands, they are a law unto themselves. There should be strict guidelines as to how they operate. Martin would be great!

I had a bailiff turn up once for unpaid Council Tax. He was extremely aggressive and told me that if I didn't let him in he would call a locksmith and call the police. I was home alone with my baby and petrified. In the end, all he left was a letter and got not penny, but he was clearly talking rubbish. I wanted to complain at the time but was frightened of repercussions. Now I've looked up my rights, I'd know how to deal with one in the future. They make me sick. They are legal thieves, nothing more nothing less, and have been allowed to get away with it for too long.:mad:

BTW, can anyone tell me if you have to deal with a bailiff directly or do you have rights to deal with the company directly? Our council tax arrears are still with a bailiff and we have now been given his mobile number and told we are not allowed to contact the company directly. Following last night's programme, I listened to a radio phone-in on the subject and a woman who'd had the same happen to her said they were not allowed to do that and you were allowed to ring the company direct to arrange a payment plan. I'd be most grateful if anyone could advise!

cattie1

when the council did the same to me for c/tax (i was unknowingly in credit though) i managed to rang the bailiiff direct to arrange a payment with him,he told me i had to ring the company direct as he did not have the facilities for a card payment-he would only come to my door to collect, when i rang the company they told me i had to ring the bailliff and he could authorise a card payment, you are entitled to ring the company directly but i cant guarantee they'll be much help! i dont think any of them have a clue whats going on!

wotnext

The laughable thing about it is, though, is that he's never shown a certificate to say he can collect money from us. I'm not dealing with a company, just some beast who turns up as and when.... Most people are just handing over money to total strangers who seem to think they are above the law. We'd never hand over our cash to a stranger in the street and say "make sure the council get that, there's a good man" would we? So why are we handing over our money to some apes who claim they have the right to collect it?

It's archaic.

anniestar

wotnext wrote:

Someone with a bit of clout really ought to back a campaign against these people. As it stands, they are a law unto themselves. There should be strict guidelines as to how they operate. Martin would be great!

I had a bailiff turn up once for unpaid Council Tax. He was extremely aggressive and told me that if I didn't let him in he would call a locksmith and call the police. I was home alone with my baby and petrified. In the end, all he left was a letter and got not penny, but he was clearly talking rubbish. I wanted to complain at the time but was frightened of repercussions. Now I've looked up my rights, I'd know how to deal with one in the future. They make me sick. They are legal thieves, nothing more nothing less, and have been allowed to get away with it for too long.:mad:

BTW, can anyone tell me if you have to deal with a bailiff directly or do you have rights to deal with the company directly? Our council tax arrears are still with a bailiff and we have now been given his mobile number and told we are not allowed to contact the company directly. Following last night's programme, I listened to a radio phone-in on the subject and a woman who'd had the same happen to her said they were not allowed to do that and you were allowed to ring the company direct to arrange a payment plan. I'd be most grateful if anyone could advise!

It seems to depend on the council involved i'm afraid. My council will not deal with accounts that have been passed to bailiffs(I attempted to pay them in cash and with our debit card details for the middle of next month. We even reailised that the charges were to be paid directly to the collection company but the council didn't want to know. The short answer is it depends. Sorry to be unhelpful but the council calls the shots.They CAN get the account refered back but they dont often do this. Best of luck with your attempts.

QueenB.

This programme made me feel sick to my stomach, not just because of what they did during it but also because i am now terrified if any bailiffs should turn up on my doorstep, there is no reason why they should at the moment but as others have said, sometimes it is someone elses mistake or anothers debt.

can someone direct me to what bailiffs can legally do and how you can deal with them.

I am dearly hoping that new law will not come into force, instead they should be looking at restricting the bailiffs and not victimising the debters, afterall i don't see any bailiffs at number 10 demanding payment on the debts our government seems to consider normal budgeting for this country.

rog2

QueenB. wrote:

can someone direct me to what bailiffs can legally do and how you can deal with them.

Have a look at the info on the insolvency helpline site:

https://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_basics/bailiff-guide.htm

lavidaloca

Watched this last night from a recording and was absolutely disgusted. Couldn't believe how many police cars arrived and with flashing lights - where are they when the toerags are out doing burglaries.

cliffsgirl

I missed this programme, does anyone know if it will be repeated?

file_wizzard

lavidaloca wrote:

Watched this last night from a recording and was absolutely disgusted. Couldn't believe how many police cars arrived and with flashing lights - where are they when the toerags are out doing burglaries.

They had probably all been down the local cafe together, ours normaly has at least 7 cars and a team bus present most mornings !

iwanttosave_2

I absolutly loved it though on the program where the guy had an uncertificated bailiff round and challenged him, I was so chuffed for him, I thought good on him. Seeing the bailiff practically poohing his pants was hilarious.

My mum has always been in a lot of debt, and is now, and we have had bailiffs round on a regular occourance, in fact they say hi to me when I see them round town, and luckly we have had nice ones, very co-oprative and friendly, but my mum always worked on the basis that if you are good with them, they are good with you, this has always worked with us, but to be honest, i think we were just lucky.

One even asked me out once, gave me his number to pass on to my mum and told me to give him a ring if I wanted, I should have done and got a few expencive meals out of it. Get some of my mums money back :rotfl: