Help re Philips Bailiff and Debt Recovery

chandla

Hi

(i have also posted this in parking and fines)

Today i received a letter headed notice of distress warrant from Philips bailiff and debt recovery agents saying i owe over £200 and unless the full amount is recived in 7 days they will attend my premises and remove goods.

This was completely out of the blue i couldnt think of anything i had done etc and at 1st i fault this was some scam company. When i looked on the internet though it turns out they are genuine.

Having not had a clue i phoned up Philips and after being on hold for 20 minutes on an 0844 number, i finally spoke to someone, i explained i have no idea what this is for and could she provide me with details about what this fine was for and why is this the 1st information i have herd etc.

She told me that she knew nothing about what i have been fined for, just said it was from South West London Magistrates and it was from July 2007 and ill have to take it up with them. I asked her for the phone number/adress of South West London Magistrates, she said she has no other information, just a refence which i took down.

I went onto google entered South West London Magistrates and there is no such thing. I then called back Phillips informing them that there is no such thing as South West London Magistrates and that there are around 40 courts in London, can they tell me the specific court so i can contact them on Monday. I was then told they dont have any more information, just kept prompting me to make a payment and infoming me i have till tuesday etc and when i said there must be a refence/audit trail etc he hung up on me.

Where i stand is, this happened in in July 2007, i have lived @ 3 other addresses since July 2007, before i pay i want to know what i have done and where and when etc and will then pay if it was me or if not dispute/appeal etc.

I dont want to pay a fine for something i have no prior knowledge about and for what i cant find any information/proof about. Being told if i dont pay in 7 days there will be bailifs is technically extortion.

Can anyone recommed what i need to do with regards to finding out what the fine is for and wether it was actually commited by myself etc? Should i go to the CAB? Is there any way to find out which specific magistrates court have instructed this debt etc?

If i pay the fine or part of the fine, will they have to release details so i can then get more information?

Many Thanks in advance for any help.

pennylane99

West London Magistrates court is in Talgarth Road Hammersmith

chandla

Apologies, the letter said South West London Magistrates, not West London Magistrates.

pennylane99

South Western is Lavender Hill Battersea

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/

Clarie_2

I wouldn't pay anything till they can prove the debt is yours, and show you where it came from.

Mub_2

I had the same letter with no information other than that I had an unpaid magistrat fine instructed by South West London. Had similar conversation with a guy called Shaun who could not give his surname or help me further however I did ask for a reference as he said it would take them 7-10 days to get information what the fine related to. He said it was from May 2006! Trying to get through to south west london courts to find out.

Mub_2

The number is 08459 400 111, option 2 but only between 9-4 so couldn't get through.

athletesfoot

I unfortunately had dealings with this company.

Havent time to go in to it now, but they are a complete disgrace. Without doubt the worst agency I have ever had to deal with. Absolutely no regard for any guidelines or rules they are singed up to. How they operate on behalf of Government departments is beyond me!

I will be back!

bargainbetty

Send them a Prove it letter - they have to produce evidence that the debt is yours and places the whole thing into dispute until they do. If a CCJ has been granted against you without your knowledge then apply to have it set aside because you were unaware of the application and were unable to defend yourself.

Then wait for them to say what it is and produce evidence. Magistrates courts generally deal with on-spot-parking or traffic offences, section 4,5 and 6 public disorder offences etc - Did you get a PND from anywhere?

Good luck

jodpol30

Hi,

This is my first post so please bare with me!

My husband has received one of these too - so far we have found out that his one is a compensation one for £400.

Bearing in mind this is from 2003 and yet again from a different address he has no idea what its for.

They have mentioned a mans name Mr Khon but we just don't know.

We have been told to phone the court tomorrow but if they think he has got £400 just laying around they will have to thing again!!!

Any advice?

Jay1984w

Received the same letter the other day phoned philips and they would not give me any information on the fine and was really rude and kept putting down the phone , I contacted Enfield court and they gave me information it was for a train fair same name and dob but different address never lived at that address , she told me I can go to a local magistrate and swear to a statutary declaration and that will stop the fine linking me to this fine have booked it for tomorrow will let you know how I get on , I suggest you try ringing the courts and find out what the fine is for