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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bastard Wankstation TFL Fuckers

48 replies

SlightlyRegal · 27/04/2011 10:34

Of all the bastard companies/bodies/departments I have ever had to deal with, they are by far the worst.

I won't bore you with the details but my mum was apparently issued with a ticket for stopping in a loading zone (she swears she was in there for 20 seconds waiting to move forward into an actual parking space and I believe her) and she never got out of the car. So the ticket must be a 'camera' type thing that was allegedly sent in the post. Again she insists she didn't get it, and again I believe her. She is quite the 'upstanding citizen' type and would deal with anything like a parking ticket quickly following the official process for appealing etc.

Three days ago she got a threatening but not very comprehensive message on her answermachine from a bailiff company. She could not (and nor could I or my DH) make out the name of the company and they did not leave a phone number. All she heard was 'TFL'. Cue half a day of phoning/being on hold/being passed from pillar to post between every department in TFL to talk to a relevant person only to be finally told 'it's with the bailiffs now'.

Eventually my mum burst into tears and the fuckers PUT THE PHONE DOWN ON HER. Of course we can't complain as we have no name and not really even sure what department we ended up talking to.

Yesterday another call from Bailiffs warning her that she would be expected to hand over £625 cash Shock to someone who could call at any time in the next week at any time from 4am. This terrified my mum who tried to explain that she is unaware how this has escalated to this point and she doesn't have anything like the money they are after, and they told her she'd better start 'calling in some favours'. THUG CUNTS.

I have now spent an hour and a half listening to hold music talking to TFL and have filed an Out of Time Witness Statement with the court but TFL say the court may refuse it and there is nothing they (TFL) can do about it. They refuse to discuss the fact that the first we knew of this alleged offence was a message from the Bailiffs and when I told them the Bailiff company were being threatening and intimidating, the TFL women said 'Yes, that's why we use them'

So AIBU to think that an organisation like TFL should not be using a thuggish bailif firm and should have a more civilised way of dealing with 'first time offenders' (who don't even think they have offended)?

OP posts:
TheFantasticFixit · 27/04/2011 10:38

I don't have loads of advice on this but have you posted on the Consumer Action Group forums? They are brilliant at dealing with things like this and will have loads of resources (ie letters) for you to use. Do try them!

knittedbreast · 27/04/2011 10:42

CAB and a newspaper? 4am? fuck me they should try turning up at my house at that time...

if all this happens, move all your mothers stuff out of the house for next week-absolutly everything. make sure all the windows and doors/garages etc are locked. do not let them in

bastards, im so angry for you!

Original poster
SlightlyRegal · 27/04/2011 10:47

Thank you knitted. She is at home this morning tiptoeing around with the curtains drawn ignoring phone calls and doorbells. It's ridiculous.

I have told her to 'sneak out' later and come to mine but it is making me so angry. I really don't understand how something as big as TFL can condone the sort of thug mentality and scare tactics that are being used, I really can't.

OP posts:
Original poster
SlightlyRegal · 27/04/2011 10:48

And sorry, yes thank you CAB and Consumer Action are good suggestions. Will look into it.

OP posts:
TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 27/04/2011 10:56

Was it in Westminster? My tale of woe isn't half as bad, but I did have a similar incident about 4 years ago. Eventually, having been passed from pillar to post and having achieved nothing, my DH just paid up (about £600) to get rid of them as I was so upset about it and we were about to go on holiday. I hadn't parked either, was just driving up and down the road waiting for a space to become free. I saw the traffic warden roaming but at no time did he put a ticket on my car. First I knew of it was when Westminster contacted me saying I hadn't paid the fine.

Your poor, poor mum. Incredibly frightening and worrying for her. Utter bastards. I wish I knew how to sort it out for her, but unfortunately, as I say, we just gave in. Angry

discobeaver · 27/04/2011 11:04

Not sure if this website will be of any help, it's the London Motorists's Action Group

www.lmag.org.uk/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=4

The page linked is called "Handling Bailiffs"

I hope you get this sorted, it just sounds like pure extortion and is outrageous.

meditrina · 27/04/2011 11:14

Why is TFL involved - was the loading bay in a car park they own? If so, is this a private car park company acting for them? I didn't think TFL had any role in policing the highway (that would be a Council's responsibility normally, or was it a red route?). If it's a "fine" om private land, it's a whole other can of worms about its legal status. I really hope CAB can help you quickly. It all sounds horrendous.

FreudianSlipOnACrown · 27/04/2011 11:23

I would like to nominate this thread for 'title of the year'

FreudianSlipOnACrown · 27/04/2011 11:25

No advice or experience but YANBU and I hope you can get it sorted.

Watchdog maybe?

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 27/04/2011 11:29

I don't understand why TFL is involved either was it a station car park?. Usually tickets are issued by the local council. When I had a similar problem with the local council calling in the baliffs when they had wrongly issued the ticket and then ignored the appeal I found faxing the CEO of the Council with all the evidence seemed to help. If you go through the customer disservice centre you will get nowhere because the people on the phone do not have the authority to change anything.

bullet234 · 27/04/2011 11:40

Ok, as has been stated earlier on this thread, under no circumstances must your mum let the bailiffs in. They are not allowed to break in initially, but if they see a window open oer a door unlocked, then they can get in. I am not sure if they can gain access if they manage to get a foot over the threshhold once the door is opened, someone with more knowledge will know that.
They will insist your mum has to pay, that there is nothing she can do about it. They will rely on fear and intimidation and ignorance about the legality of the matter in order to get the money. That is all they care about. They will receive money from TLF for getting the money. Your mum needs to contact someone liek the CAB who will offer her impartial advice, if she has not already done so.

olderandwider · 27/04/2011 11:43

Contact Boris Johnson, seriously, he helped to sort out some ridiculous issue with TfL and student Oyster cards during the postal strike a couple of years ago.

Contact your MP.

I second contacting Westminster Council CEO with the facts.

Check out the camera evidence. Not sure what the definition is of "waiting" and "parking", but if the photographs show your mum parked legally in the bay after being photographed waiting in the loading bay before moving forward, you may have a better case.

Good luck

BertieBasset · 27/04/2011 11:44

I don't think that there can be a collection on a debt without a court order.

I certainly know that debts cannot be collected before dawn or after sunset. So the 4am thing is utter crap.

And they are not allowed to force themselves in. You need to see a court order allowing to see the agremeent of a judge to the collection of monies I think? Hopefully someone with more legal experience than me will be along to help soon.

SardineQueen · 27/04/2011 11:46

This is really appalling.

But I also don't understand how TFL are involved? If it was a normal road then the Council run it all I think? DH works for TFL and sometimes gets parking tickets on his TFL branded van with "emergency" on the side and flashing lights on the top, when he is parked where he shouldn't be to deal with incident. Hmm to the traffic wardens on that one.

SardineQueen · 27/04/2011 11:47

Repost in legal?

Callisto · 27/04/2011 11:47

Why are the baliffs asking for cash? That in itself sounds very dodgy to me.

SardineQueen · 27/04/2011 11:56

Callisto baliffs are dodgy, that's teh whole problem.

If you haven't got the cash they can help themselves to your belongings.

yoyomarr · 27/04/2011 12:10

The bailiff company will be intimidating and threatening, that is their job. The 4am thing is utter bullshit, as for having the money upfront I think that, that is bullshit too.

These are the companies that TFL use:

www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/12077.aspx

make sure that it is one of these companies.

This is the citizen advice bureau's advice on bailiff's

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/money_management_index_ew/action_your_creditor_can_take_index_ew/bailiffs_index_ew/about_bailiffs.htm tis good advice.

Don't open the door.

Don't leave any doors open.

And dont pay them!

fight it with TFL, URGH I HATE TFL AND I HATE BAILIFFS I AM Angry on your behalf.

FoofffyShmoofffer · 27/04/2011 12:14

Sorry I have no actual advice but this is Angry. My gut reaction is get everything said on record and take it to a newspaper.

marmaladetwatkins · 27/04/2011 12:47

"and they told her she'd better start 'calling in some favours'"

This is ILLEGAL. Bailiff companies are not allowed to threaten or intimidate. Report them to the police, if nothing else.

knittedbreast · 27/04/2011 12:54

It is true that if they can get a foot or hand in the door way they can and will enter the property.

You need to request all camera footage of that area at around that time and then request to see their evidence. im not sure but you may be able to put any visits on hold while it is investigated.

your best bet is too get cab to liase with them on your behalf, or your local mp. but in the mean time you cannot allow your mum to open the door to anyone or leave any windows/doors open or unlocked as they will be in there asap

Kirisox · 27/04/2011 13:03

Tfl enforce red routes

LDNmummy · 27/04/2011 13:23

Ask for a copy of the phone conversations you have had with staff at TFL and keep copies of the messages from the bailiffs. Using threatening language or behaviour is illegal AFAIK. www.debtquestions.co.uk/prob_bailiffs.php

Also ask for a copy of the video in which your mother was caught committing the offence. I am sure you are entitled to all these things.

Whatever happens, do not open the door even slightly to talk to a bailiff.

TheBightyMoosh · 27/04/2011 13:38

Can I suggest you try posting on here:

www.pepipoo.com/

It's a website which is dedicated to parking and motoring offences, and helping people through the legal minefield! There is a forum where there are loads of experts on hand who should be able to help.

And good luck.

stinkyfluffycat · 27/04/2011 13:43

Bastards. Email the money section of a national newspaper or Watchdog and copy TFL press office in, so they can see what kind of publicity they are creating for themselves? Might get a quicker reaction from them that way as I imagine their complaints-about-bailiffs dept is probably a bit busy?

Can your mum securely lock up her house and stay with you for a while so she's not lurking behind curtains? (Or is that a really stupid idea if the bailiffs are likely to break in?).

Sorry, no useful advice but am sending evil thoughts towards TFL for you..