collectica enforcement (bailiff?) help URGENT

girlycara

I got home from work today to a hand deliveredletter from collectica. it gives a court ref number and says I owe £703. the only thing I can possibly think of is a fine for not having a tv licence for a short period of time, other than that I don't know what it is.

it syas they will be back on Friday and will break in if necessary to remove goods. I don't have the money to pay in full, and don't really have much til payday but I will pay the debt off if its genuinely owed. what rights do I/they have? I will check tomorrow with cab etc, but if anyone could help me now id be really grateful its gonna be a sleepless night I think!

[Deleted User]

If it is a fine then, yes, they do have the right to break in, but doing so is a last resort.

May I ask, how you came to be summonsed for TV Licence evasion?

girlycara

Not paying for the TV licence presumably?

FireWyrm

girlycara wrote: »

Not paying for the TV licence presumably?

You only get a summons if you admit the 'crime' to a doorstep visitor. You should have been informed of impending court action and you should have attended the court to defend the action. What information if any have you received? Have you moved recently?

The next step would be to request information from the collector to figure out what reason is behind this. It is possible that this 'debt' isnt even yours.

[Deleted User]

girlycara wrote: »

Not paying for the TV licence presumably?

What I meant was, how did they come to have your details, and the evidence to take you to court?

girlycara

Answered the door and was caught off guard basically. I rang the enforcement officer today. He says he can hold off til the 31st if I pay on full by then. If I don't then they will take goods and if they don't cover the debt a warrant for my arrest would be issued. I physically can pay on the 31st but only just, and will have under £100 for all other bills that month

FireWyrm

girlycara wrote: »

Answered the door and was caught off guard basically. I rang the enforcement officer today. He says he can hold off til the 31st if I pay on full by then. If I don't then they will take goods and if they don't cover the debt a warrant for my arrest would be issued. I physically can pay on the 31st but only just, and will have under £100 for all other bills that month

Then pay the fine and stop answering the door to toothless pseudo officials who have no actual power at all. Just shut the door. If you had done this in the first place, it never would have happened.

girlycara

Helpful, thanks

girlycara

On a side note, I have heard there is a way you can reclaim bailiffs charges, does anyone know anything about this? I think at least £400-£500 of this is charges etc