Advice needed RE bullying enforcement agents

Howitto

Hi Guys! (and gals)

After some advice really.

I had my brother on the phone in tears a few days ago as had letters sent to his address addressed to previous occupiers demanding £6,000. Shocked at how they could get it wrong, he phoned them up informing them that the debtor no longer resides at the address. They (julious enforcement agents) got aggressive, demanded he sent over council tax forms, ID, passport and driving licence to prove who he was. If he didn't send those over by 4pm, they would be sending bailiffs over to empty his house of goods to pay the debt.

Shocked at this, I instantly called them up to challenge this. I know full well he is not obliged to prove who he was and that also they bullying tactics were illegal and threats are not warranted and the police would be informed. After experiencing the same aggression as my brother, I politely told the women where to shove it and hung up. Before that I managed to find out who the client was (Cotswold District Council) and called them and told them that Julious were aggressive and I tried to explain they are chasing the wrong person; thankfully the women was nice and I mentioned to her why as a council, they hadn't cross checked my brothers name and the debtors name on the electoral register? Within 5 mins, she confirmed their mistake and all contact was seized. Happy days.

My issue is how do I complain about the way my brother was treated? He has recently had a serious bout of depression and sadly, suicide thoughts and to think this incident could of tipped him over the edge makes me sick and angry. Who can I contact and get some sort or justice?

Sorry for my awful layout, English never my strong point.

Marktheshark

Yet another can of worms opened when people start reading other peoples mail.

Howitto

Marktheshark wrote: »

Yet another can of worms opened when people start reading other peoples mail.

After receiving around 25 letters in 2 months, I think he could sense something wasn't right! And in this case, I'm glad he did open them!

sourcrates

oliverhowitt wrote: »

After receiving around 25 letters in 2 months, I think he could sense something wasn't right! And in this case, I'm glad he did open them!

Really he should of returned them all to sender, the debt had nothing to do with him, by getting involved and calling them, I'm sorry but he opened the can of worms I'm afraid.

bayliffs can be notoriously difficult, if anyone had turned up at his address, he could simply of shown them his passport, and that would of been the end of the matter.

He could complain to the bayliffs trade associaction but unless he or you recorded the calls, you don't have a leg to stand on.

Lesson no 1, never phone a bayliff, all comms should be in writing, I'm afraid you may have to chalk this one up to experience.

Howitto

Thanks for the reply!

datlex

I kept getting letters for a previous tenant here. I spoke to the Royal Mail. The guy I spoke to said that I have not obligation to forward on the mail, I just cannot open it without good cause.
Putting not known at address doesn't seem to be sufficient as this could be a tactic employed by someone in debt to avoid their debt. I have even had letters addressed to the occupier asking about previous tenant- do I know where they are etc. Was quite amusing to hear the shock in the voice of the person at the other end when I told them I had been informed the person concerned was at that time serving a custodial sentence. It completely flumoxes them.
I now use the return address on the back of letters, they are few and far between now, to find out who the company is. I then contact them, I do not open the letter. Debt agencies always try to pressurise you into paying, when you contact their number it asks you during the auto message before you get through to a person about making payment. It seems to throw the debt agency person when you state firmly you do not have a reference number, you have received post addressed to a previous tenant and you wish them not to send this any more. They should update their records.