We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure your posts do not contain any personally identifiable information (both your own and that of others). When uploading images, please take care that you have redacted all personal information including number plates, reference numbers and QR codes (which may reveal vehicle information when scanned).
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Car towed by bailiffs for a fine I already paid!
hammersmith_chap
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hello my friends, this is my first post so please excuse me, but I was wondering if you good people would be able to help.
Yesterday I got home from work to find that my car was no longer there. I called the police to report it stolen, who thereby informed me that it was taken my enforcement agents Marstons. I called the number they gave today (as they were already closed last night), and the agent gave me a PCN starting with HZ. I checked the details on the Hammersmith and Fulham website, its a valid fine. Then I checked my emails, and BINGO! I've got a receipt showing that I've already PAID for it! The fine was issued on November 11, 2018 and I paid it on the 29th of November 2018. I also checked and it has definitely left my bank account. I called Marstons and told them I have evidence its paid but they refuse to release the vehicle. They said they will only take instruction from the council (Hammersmith & Fulham). The council is shut until Monday. Here's my questions:
1) Is this even legal? They have taken my car off the instruction of the creditor (H&F), however this is in error as I have already paid for it. Can I go after someone here? The council/the enforcement agents? Surely once I have informed the enforcement agents that the fine has actually been paid, they don't have to legal right to still hold the vehicle? Beyond all this, the massive incompetence on both parties, surely someone has to be held accountable? The car was towed without informing me, no phone calls, no letters etc. (I thought it was stolen!). Surely, this is breaking some law in terms of giving notice? What document should I ask to be produced right now? The first time I heard of the fine, was when my car was gone! Letters were sent to my old address from a year ago, which is mind boggling because I actually still live in the same borough, so H&F could have easily found me on the electoral roll or as a council tax payee.
2) Would the best course of action be to wait until Monday, call the council, produce all evidence, demand that the fine is cancelled etc, or pay the enforcement agents now to get the car and claim it back (either through chargeback or courts)? In either scenario, what is the most amount I could claim for? At the very least, I would like all the fines cancelled, all the fees paid, and the car returned to me at no cost (seeing as it was taken in error). The car is owned by me but I also use the car for business travel through my own limited company, so I'm exploring if I could claim for loss of earnings, transport costs etc. Additionally, I've heard that cars more often that not will get damaged if they are towed, so I will definitely be taking it to garage to get looked at right after I get it back and will expect the council to fork out the cost. I have faith in the system, but tell me, am i in dreamland?
Yesterday I got home from work to find that my car was no longer there. I called the police to report it stolen, who thereby informed me that it was taken my enforcement agents Marstons. I called the number they gave today (as they were already closed last night), and the agent gave me a PCN starting with HZ. I checked the details on the Hammersmith and Fulham website, its a valid fine. Then I checked my emails, and BINGO! I've got a receipt showing that I've already PAID for it! The fine was issued on November 11, 2018 and I paid it on the 29th of November 2018. I also checked and it has definitely left my bank account. I called Marstons and told them I have evidence its paid but they refuse to release the vehicle. They said they will only take instruction from the council (Hammersmith & Fulham). The council is shut until Monday. Here's my questions:
1) Is this even legal? They have taken my car off the instruction of the creditor (H&F), however this is in error as I have already paid for it. Can I go after someone here? The council/the enforcement agents? Surely once I have informed the enforcement agents that the fine has actually been paid, they don't have to legal right to still hold the vehicle? Beyond all this, the massive incompetence on both parties, surely someone has to be held accountable? The car was towed without informing me, no phone calls, no letters etc. (I thought it was stolen!). Surely, this is breaking some law in terms of giving notice? What document should I ask to be produced right now? The first time I heard of the fine, was when my car was gone! Letters were sent to my old address from a year ago, which is mind boggling because I actually still live in the same borough, so H&F could have easily found me on the electoral roll or as a council tax payee.
2) Would the best course of action be to wait until Monday, call the council, produce all evidence, demand that the fine is cancelled etc, or pay the enforcement agents now to get the car and claim it back (either through chargeback or courts)? In either scenario, what is the most amount I could claim for? At the very least, I would like all the fines cancelled, all the fees paid, and the car returned to me at no cost (seeing as it was taken in error). The car is owned by me but I also use the car for business travel through my own limited company, so I'm exploring if I could claim for loss of earnings, transport costs etc. Additionally, I've heard that cars more often that not will get damaged if they are towed, so I will definitely be taking it to garage to get looked at right after I get it back and will expect the council to fork out the cost. I have faith in the system, but tell me, am i in dreamland?
0
Comments
-
try pepipoo fightback forums council section , signing up with a non hotmail email address , posting on their site with any pictures and info
for bailiff advice , try sheila at bailiffadviceonline (herbie21 on here)
good luck0 -
Can't get through the PePiPoo website unfortunately. Don't know if its a MAC issue or browser issue or if the website is down. Will keep trying! I'll message bailiffadviceonline thanks!0
-
Website seems to be unavailable at the moment, so it's not just you. Try again periodically. I'll be back at some point.hammersmith_chap wrote: »Can't get through the PePiPoo website unfortunately. Don't know if its a MAC issue or browser issue or if the website is down. Will keep trying! I'll message bailiffadviceonline thanks!0 -
as above , down for me too, keep trying it0
-
Pepipoo now working ok.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards