Bailiff emergency help please

[Bailiffhelpplease]

I’ve just been called at work by a bailiff to say he is standing in my property and has a warrant for an unpaid dart charge of £2.50. He wants £425 off me.

I’m at work, he’s threatening to remove property from the house or come to work and get my car. I have not got £425 what the hell can I do?

DD must have left the door open.

£425 for a debt of £2.50. how did it get that much.

No court letter at all

I’m looking at CCTV now

bailiffadviceonline.co.uk/index-page/dart-charge-and-tfl-congestion-charge/dart-charge

"If a warrant of control is issued, it will be enforced by either Marston Group, Equita Ltd or JBW Judicial Services. You will be sent a Notice of Enforcement and the amount will increase to £190.50. This will include the Compliance Fee of £75. If payment is not made, an enforcement agent will make a personal visit to your property. At this stage, the debt will spiral to £425 to include an enforcement fee of £235"

@abbsisspartacus

Not a scam at all... from here

According to love's link it looks legit. Did you just ignore the letter 2 weeks ago?

I imagine if they didn't pursue non payers through the courts/ bailiff system then no one would bother.

Regardless of owning the money, I wouldnt pay over the phone a random man you have no proof of who he is or what the charge relates to. Call the police if you cant get home.

The start of the page says;

"What happens if I fail to pay the Dart Charge by midnight the following day?

If you do not pay by midnight the day after the crossing, you will be sent a Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice .The amount will increase to £70. The amount is discounted to £35 provided payment is made within a strict period of 14 days from service of the PCN. The crossing fee will be added to the Penalty Charge Notice.

A charge certificate will be issued if payment is not made within 28 days. The penalty charge of £70 will increase by 50% to £105.

Failure to make payment within 14 days of service of the notice may result in the debt being registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. Please note that this will NOT affect your credit rating. If full payment is not received within 21 days, a warrant of control will be issued"

Naa he is a scam £105. Max fine

Plus costs of enforcement if the fine isn't paid.

OP why on earth didn't you phone them as soon as you had the fine. You could have arranged a payment plan, or at least a short delay which would mean you'd be paying the fine only, now you're paying fine plus all the costs of the bailiff.

Do you have a family member or friend who could go to your property? How did he get in?

Also if its your first Dart Charge since the new system you should have appealed on the grounds of ignorance.I know 3 people who have been spared a fine their first time.

See www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/action-your-creditor-can-take/bailiffs/stopping-bailiffs/stopping-bailiffs-at-your-door/

How old is DD? Can you contact her to check whether she locked the door? Has she forgotten to lock it before or is she usually good at remembering?

You don't have to let them in and you don't have to pay immediately - obviously you do have to pay at some point but if you really can't afford it please don't let them bully you into paying.

I suggest you contact the creditor (ie the toll charge people, not the debt collector) to explain that you can't afford to pay it in full and to ask about making a repayment arrangement.

Only a court bailiff can make a peaceful entry to your home. Anyone else is trespassing.

This happened to me ... I had no idea. It’s horrible op. I’m sorry.

My god that's horrific, just shows it is never worth ignoring those things. You have to pay it though, I would get home and sort it ASAP.

Regardless of how it got to this point, I am horrified that there is someone in your property without you there. That's insane.

The problem is they usually sell the debt on. Only fools is right you can appeal the first offence and they then only charge the original £2.50 but you have to do it within 14 days. I’ve been through it, they only do it for the first offence so on a return trip, same journey it’s two separate fines but they also let me pay for both. I think the OP might be past that option stage?

I’ve just got another fine, I seem to collect them,for overstaying in a car park, it’s in appeal but you have to respond to letters or they escalate it. Nightmare especially this time of year with extra expenses.

Op...how old is your dd?

If she is home alone and is under 16, they are not allowed to enter your home.

I’ve paid it. He was arranging a recovery vehicle to come to work and take my vehicle. Knows where I work from paperwork on my desk. I feel sick tbh

£2.50....to £425. Fuck today. Seriously

It can't be legal, surely? For someone to enter your home without you there, and rummage around?

Apparently it is

Op.. you need to learn your rights.

Where was your car parked? They can only take cars parked at your own home or parked on a public road. Was your car in a car park?

Also, you haven't said how old your dd is...if she's under 16 and by herself, you should make a complaint

DD isn’t at home. She left the door unlocked when she went to school.