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Original poster

Ive had a text from a Debt Collector !

10 replies

fairylight · 28/12/2006 13:45

I got a text today from a debt collection company. I called the number and apparently I owe the IR £275! I was late in sending my self assessments to them and they issued a warrant despite me being due a rebate. Then I had a call from them to say they had issued my payment but had forgotten to take the court fees of £75 off so when the payment comes through to send thema cheque. They paid straight into my bank account but I was waiting for a cheque. Then with christmas I did forget. Well according to the Inland Revenue they had a distress hearing on 12th December and have instructed a bailiff. I am so upset I cant think striaght this is the first ive heard of it. Ive spoken to the Inland Revenue and they say its not their problem now.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 28/12/2006 13:46

Have you got the money? If so, call the bailiffs and pay it. That's all they want, payment. They absolutely don't want to come and take stuff, it's a load of hassle for them.

lulumama · 28/12/2006 13:50

would a debt collector text you?? would they not write or call...you get more notice that the debt is being called in surely? there would have been concact before / after the hearing surely..is this legit?

WideWebWitch · 28/12/2006 13:53

I agree you should check it's legitimate but haven't you already had that confirmed by the Inland Revenue?

mancmum · 28/12/2006 14:06

I smell a rat here... I work for Revenue and this would not happen ... there have to be formal proceedings before this can happen.. and it is not likely they would have sold debt on...

WideWebWitch · 28/12/2006 14:10

It's not sold on though, it's bailiffs AFTER a distress hearing isn't it? Pixifish, you should ring an official IR number to check though.

WideWebWitch · 28/12/2006 14:11

So what I mean is there has been a formal hearing. I'd be very surprised if the IR hadn't written to inform you of it though. Can you give us the debt collectors no here? And we can see whether they look legitimate? (it won't reveal anything about you)

Original poster
fairylight · 28/12/2006 14:28

IR said they sent a payment slip on 22/11 and they set a distress hearing for 12/12. I didnt receive this. I explained this to the IR and they said "well it was sent"

I have called the bailiff person now and have given my details to him. He is on holiday and said Im lucky he didnt call. I only thought i owed £75 then they added another £25 and the rest is bailiffs costs

OP posts:
Original poster
fairylight · 28/12/2006 14:29

it was Philips in Doncaster

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 28/12/2006 16:57

They look legitimate from what I can see. There's a client area on their site here where you can see what you owe and, presumably, why. You could then check that with the issuing court tomorrow if you wanted to before making any payment. Don't put anything personal in there but it says you can access it using the ref no they have given you, which presumably the text had.

Judy1234 · 28/12/2006 22:44

I thought to send in bailiffs you had to issue a court claim against someone, give them time to put in a defence and eventually have a trial and only once the court says you owe X can they send in bailiffs. I suppose there might be special IR rules.

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