Marston group fine

Mrs-b_8

Hi

I wonder if anyone can help?

My mum told me yesterday that she received a letter about 6 weeks ago from the marston group. The letter said she owed £325 for a driving offence. The letter had gone to her old address and was forwarded on to her, this was the first she knew of this so any other letters were not forwarded to her. She called the marston group and they would not tell her what the fine was for just that it wasn't a parking ticket, they threatened to send bailiffs round so she agreed to pay them instalments of £25 a week and gave them her card details.
This all seems a bit dodgy to me, surely they shouldn't just push someone into paying a debt that they a) only just found out about and b) don't know what it's actually for?
Is there any way she can get the payments put on hold whilst she finds out what it's for and that she definitely owes it, I mean for all she knows she's could be paying them for nothing!?

I'd really appreciate any advice

Thanks

esmerobbo

Ask Marstons what court they are enforcing the collection of the fine for, and contact the court.

Has your mum had a motoring conviction? She may have received a NIP to her old address, if not answered it may have been dealt with in her absence!

hallowitch

Marstons should have provided the information your mum asked for

they will be reluctant to provide this info as the warrant will have her previous address on it and they know they will lose out on there fees if your mum files a Statutory Declaration to the court (fees are £85 for sending letter and £215 for a visit to the debtors home)


The Criminal Procedure Rules 2010
5) A person executing a warrant of distress shall—

(a)either—

(i)if he has the warrant with him, show it to the person against whom the distress is levied, or

(ii)otherwise, state where the warrant is and what arrangements may be made to allow the person against whom distress is levied to inspect it;

(b)explain, in ordinary language, the sum for which distress is levied and the reason for the distress

If your mum can record the call i would get her to phone marstons and ask the name of the court that issued the fine ,the date of the fine, reason for the fine , date the warrant was issued .
if they refuse to provide the information ask them where she can view the warrant

peter_the_piper

Once this is sorted and she no longer has to pay Marstons, cancel/"lose" the card. I trust no-one in this line of work.