advice on stopping bailiffs please

hotsoul123

first post and looking for urgent advice please.
have had bailiffs calling to my house concerning a debt run up by a family memeber who no longer lives at this address. she hasnt lived here for over a year but hasnt changed her address and has now also taken out new debt using this address which she isnt paying. I am concerned that this bailiff will be the first of many calling.
I showed the bailiff ID to prove I am not this person, however they have said they will be back within four days as they have a warrant to seize goods. Absolutely nothing in this property belongs to her. I do have a forwarding address but am reluctant to give it to the bailiffs as this person has threatened me with violence in the past.
I have ordered my credit file online and have now found that credit has been applied for in my name over the past few months, which must be this person.
I live alone with my young son and was really frightened by the bailiffs call.
I apologise for being new and seeking advice straight away but am desperate fro any advice as to which way to turn with this and what I can do regarding the other debts she has run up for this address to avoid this happening over and over again.
thanks

[Deleted User]

sorry I don't know what to suggest, but hopefully this will *bump* your post back to the top

BAILEYS6904

Right firstly dont Panic!!!! Unless they have a court order, they have no right of entry to your house. If they come to the door again, DO NOT LET THEM IN!!!!
Show them your id if necessary, and ask them to leave. If they dont, or you become uncomfortable, call the police on a 999 job!
I would also give the police on a non 999 a call re the applications done in your name. I would imagine you would get a crime reference number, which you can then approach the companies with said credit agreements with, to show that you didnt enter into them.
HTH - as I say do not worry about the bailiffs, the majority of them have about as much right to enter your house as your milkman. (Unless your married to the milkman, but you know what i mean lol) xx

kaya

see here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=34232689&postcount=26
type it out, go to a solicitor/comissioner for oaths or see a court officer and get him to witness you signing it, make copies and send/give to the bailiffs, job done!!
as for somebody applying for credit in your name thats fraud and i wouldn't hesitate to call the police in as the reprocussions for you could be devestating

PollyBanwell

We have lived in our rented flat for 3 and half years now and STILL get letters addressed to the previous tennents from debt collection agencies. Its naughty but I open their post now before sending it back and the letters that are from debt collections services I call straight away and usually just telling them they don't live there stops it. Only on occasion have I have to send of the tennency agreement.

Were you receiving letters before the bailiffs came? If you have a contact number for the company call them to put it on their records.

One time a man came to the door, but as soon as I explained i wasn't Mr So and So he keft and we never heard from them again.

Try not to worry too much - I would try and get the credit thing sorted though - especially as it might effect your chances of getting credit in the future.

Hope it all turns out well for you.

Jesthar

Hey hotsoul, welcome to MSE

Don't feel you need to apologies about joining to ask advice - a lot of people arrived here like that!

This isn't my specialist subject, but I am certain of the following points:

• Bailiffs can't take goods that don't belong to the debtor, so your goods are safe
• Bailiffs can't force entry to your property (unless you have previously let them in), and you are under no legal obligation to let them in - you CANNOT be arrested for refusing them entry. So keep the doors and windows locked and tell tem to go away via the letter box or an upstairs window.

As to the family member running up debts and applying for credit in your name, you NEED to do something about this, or you will find obtaining credit diffucult. Again, this isn't my specialist subject, but I think you need to contact the credit report company and advise them of the fraudulant applications so they can flag this up on your file to protect you.

You should also seriously consider going to the police on this matter, especially as you have been threatened with harm. If you don't want to take that step straight away, at least speak to your local Citizens Advice Beaurex for advice.

I know you are scared of this person, but you have to consider what they are doing to you already - you and your son are the one getting frightening visits from bailiffs (which usually means they are evading some sort of Tax, not just credit debt), whilst they live it up and let you take all the repercussions! And THAT is not fair on you and your son.

*hugs*

~Jes

RAS

Hi hotsoul

Bailiffs cannot take your goods to pay someone elses debt. They have not right to threaten you that they are coming back to take stuff.

I only have a little time to help today but can you name the company please and tell us if they left anythign with an address or e-mail on it.

You need to write and complain in no uncertain terms about these threats.

They are hoping to either scare you into paying or into putting pressure on the debtor to pay. It is not fair.