Help - Being threatened with Bailiffs for unknown debt

sparklybay11

I'm a complete newbie so apologies if this is in the wrong place, but would really appreciate any experience others may have on this. I've come home from work to a letter addressed to my partner at an address that vaguely resembles ours. The letter has been drifting round in the postal system until eventually arriving here and says that bailiffs will be arriving within 14 days of the date on the letter unless we pay £9,500 by credit card. There is no mention of what the debt's for, or who they've allegedly bought it from. My partner has had financial problems years ago, but everything has been frozen and is being paid off via a structured plan - we have no idea what this letter refers to - there isn't even a reference number on it. I've gone into a panic at the mention of bailiffs. My boyfriend is going to ring them tomorrow, but because the letter has taken so long to arrive, the bailiffs are due in the next two days - is there any way of putting a block on this until we clarify whether this is a genuine claim? (we genuinely don't know what this debt can be).

fermi

Does it actually say bailiffs? Or does it just mention debt/doorstep collectors?

Arriving where? At your address, or one that that is similar?

Does this reference a court order where a warrant of execution had been granted. If so, is it from the court itself?

Whatever you do, give National Debtline a call before you take any action. Freephone on 0808 808 4000.

sparklybay11

Thanks Fermi - it says collectors (coming to our address) who will take possession of items to the value of the debt. This has come completely out of the blue - we've had no letters, phone calls, nothing and have never heard of this company before. It's literally a four line letter - ring this number and pay or collectors will come round. No reference to what the debt is at all, and as I said, we have a payment plan in place and have worked really hard to ensure that we captured everything.

fermi

Not bailiffs then.

What company is this if you don't mind saying?

It's unlikely that anyone will call. If they do, then as just collectors they have no right to do or take anything. You just tell them to get lost. If they refuse or cause hassle, call the police and have them removed.

But please, for your own peace of mind call National Debtline tomorrow.

sparklybay11

the letterhead just says debt collection services, and by the date it says Agent: Field Services. Really vague and never heard of a company by either of these names (Debt Collection Services is pretty generic). Thanks for all your advice, and I will call the National Debtline.

fatbelly

Sounds like they are misrepresenting the legal position.

From the new OFT guidance:

3.5 Examples of unfair or improper practices are as follows:

a. falsely implying or claiming authority or misrepresenting authority

b. falsely implying or stating that action can, or will, be taken when legally it cannot be taken

If I was going to make a phone call it would be to Trading Standards, not to these clowns.

ALIBOBSY

I wouldn't ring any debt collectors, even the CAB advises against speaking to them on the phone. Just gives them a chance to threaten, bully and lie to you.
Given that the post office had trouble delivering the letter based on the address they hold, the chances of a "field agent" turning up are zero to none. As long as you know everything is on payment plans I wouldn't worry. It maybe one of the debts has been sold on to another company-in which case you will get a letter about it soon, but it sounds more like a general fishing expedition-it may be someone with a simular/same name owns this and they are writing to your partner at the vague address to try to trace the other person.

When we had debt issues (all sorted now thank goodness) we had loads of these companies "threatening" to turn up on the doorstep, despite being in touch with them and them being fully aware we were sorting out payment plans. Only one turned up and he was an average looking guy around mid 30's-picture bank teller type. I was heavily pregnant at the time and he caught me at a bad moment. I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of his company and him-at one point he managed to just say "this won't go away you know". Then I let rip- and pointed out we were sorting it, his company were fully in the loop with the debt repayment plan and he had no legal right to knock on my door so he better jog on before I called the police. He practically ran down the drive rofl. Never annoy a heavily pregnant hormonal woman!

You will either here nothing further or get some kind of letter with further info when you can see if this matter relates to you or not.

Ignore I would say.

Ali x