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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if they can do this

45 replies

Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 16:50

Got a bailiff letter 2 weeks ago demanding £430. Had to take out a payday loan Sad to pay it.

Now they have written again to say I owed another £157. And didn't pay it. And the debt has gone up to £235? Surely they can't do this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 16:50

IM NOT ASKING FOR MONEY BY THE WAY!

OP posts:
OohhThatsMe · 09/12/2016 16:51

Who is instructing the bailiff? That figure should have been the final one. You shouldn't have paid if it meant getting a pay day loan - a court wouldn't have insisted on it all being paid immediately.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 16:59

It wasn't in court - it was just pushed through my letterbox and when I rang the bailiff he said I needed to pay the lot.

OP posts:
harderandharder2breathe · 09/12/2016 17:05

Were you aware of debts before the bailiffs? If not, or if you weren't informed of them being passed to a third party, it sounds like a scam

ilovesooty · 09/12/2016 17:08

What do you think the settlement figure should have been? No way should you have taken out a payday loan.

Soubriquet · 09/12/2016 17:11

Have you got any proof you've paid your loan?

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 17:58

I don't know what you mean by settlement figure, I'm sorry.

It was take a loan or have them come into my home and take stuff. And still have the debt.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 09/12/2016 17:59

You don't have to let them into your house.
A settled figure is the amount you have to pay to settle the loan.

Bailey101 · 09/12/2016 18:00

Do you have a statement from the company you owed money to that shows how much was due, and do you have a statement from the bailiff showing the amount they were collecting and their fees?

Also, is the £157 a part of the original debt, or is to do with the bailiffs extra fees?

ilovesooty · 09/12/2016 18:01

Settlement figure, sorry. The amount payable to pay off the original debt.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:01

They had a court order, or something - it was all a bit panicked. Anyway the point is they are demanding more and surely they can't say I owe more and then add nearly £100 more onto it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:02

Extra fees, is what it is.

I thought I'd paid off the original debt.

OP posts:
LIZS · 09/12/2016 18:02

They can only access your home with a court order, have you had any paperwork. What is the debt from?

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:03

A parking fine

OP posts:
LIZS · 09/12/2016 18:05

Seems rather disproportionate. They will add fees for every visit and letter. Can you go back to the court and tell them you have settled.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:08

Wouldn't think so

OP posts:
SteppingOnToes · 09/12/2016 18:13

Unless it is a council licensed parking fine you don't have to pay it.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:17

It was

OP posts:
redcaryellowcar · 09/12/2016 18:19

Can you call the council, when they open and check this with them?

Bailey101 · 09/12/2016 18:33

What was the original fine and how many call out charges have the bailiffs charged you? I'm sure that they can only charge you for so many visits, but that might depend if you're in Scotland or England.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:43

The council will have passed it on to the bailiff. Am not sure Bailey as I moved house, this is why I didn't know about the original fine (well I guess I must have known once but forgot.)

OP posts:
Bailey101 · 09/12/2016 18:48

Before you pay anything else, get onto the council and ask them for a statement and also tell the bailiffs you want a detailed statement of account that includes all payments and charges.

Check the citizens advice bureau for your part of the uk to get a breakdown of what they can charge you and double check that any interest etc that they've applied is illegitimate.

Bailey101 · 09/12/2016 18:50

Also, never answer the door to them!!! If they are able to gain peaceful entry (i.e. stick a foot in the door when you open it) then they can let themselves after that.

If they knock the door, speak to them through a window or the letterbox.

Original poster
Moneyandworry · 09/12/2016 18:52

Never met them I have never been in. Anyway the point is I don't see how you can pay £420 and then be contacted to say oh now you owe another £230?

OP posts:
FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 09/12/2016 18:55

Did you pay just the original debt? Coz I am afraid they are allowed to add fees to that. How much depends on what stage you are at and what sort of ballifs they are.
Call them to say you are seeking advice, then get all the letters and get down to your nearest CAB pronto