Writ of Control Notice from High Court Enforcement Officers - genuine?

therugbyfan

My husband has received a letter today from High Court Enforcement Officers saying they have a Writ of Control in respect of outstanding debt from a PCN. He has never heard anything about this before, haven't changed address since he had the car / registration quoted and it all looks very fishy to me. The sense of urgency is alarming, as is the £££ they are quoting, which is also a red flag to me. Tried to call the number on the letter but not getting through. Their web address goes to an actual site & tried to fill in the contact us box, but on pressing send it errors. I've looked up the client name and appears they are pending strike off at Companies House. I've also checked Husbands credit file & the register of judgements (just in case) and it is clear. Are we safe to assume this is a fake as I am guessing a High Court Enforcement couldn't happen without their first being a CCJ? Just looking for some peace of mind please and should I report to Police / Action Fraud?

ChirpyChicken

No its fake

fatbelly

Last year it was hcbde.org - expect the present website to disappear soon

therugbyfan

Thanks for putting my mind at rest. Even though I saw the red flags and did some homework, it definitely had me panicked . . . and poor old hubby got an ear chewing too 🤭

BikingBud

As it says Penalty Charge Notice and Parking Charge Limited I would expect that together they are contra-indicators of a legit letter.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928913#Comment_81928913

Report it to Action Fraud or whatever they call themselves now. They need stopping.

Millsy2072

Hi there, I have received identical - I believe some of my personal details have been phished following what turned out to be a fake job application through Indeed (who subsequently removed the listing)

The letter I received was in a rectangular brown, windowed envelope with a second class stamp on it.

One thing which we thought was another red flag (apart from, as in your husband's case, no prior notices of the alleged offence) was the fact that this was not wax sealed as you would expect a genuine High Court writ to be.

I received my letter the day after your post.

Clearly a scam.

I have reported to the report fraud service and been to our local police.

Good luck with it all - perhaps, if you wouldn't mind, let us all know how it goes.

These things can cause such worry and distress - to that end, I fully empathise with your predicament.

My best to you and your family 🫶🏼

gplinge

Some useful information here https://www.hceoa.org.uk/paying-a-debt/i-am-concerned-about-fraud including the option to report to the hceo trade organisation - who can't help directly but nay push for action behind the scenes - and who knows, if someone does get a judgement against the fake organisation, I'm sure they would take great pleasure in enforcing the judgement

fatbelly

It does not appear that the fraud originates in the UK. The address is a real address but the business there is nothing to do with the scam. The website, which only exists to take payment, was set up in the USA.

Umkomaas

One thing which we thought was another red flag (apart from, as in your husband's case, no prior notices of the alleged offence) was the fact that this was not wax sealed as you would expect a genuine High Court writ to be.

I don’t think you get one of those, even on a real one!

Millsy2072

Ok, maybe not wax, but something on the envelope across the flap (as it were, lol) plus a stamp on the letter itself maybe. Online images show this. What a bunch of bar stewards