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Original poster

Oh My God! I just got an arrest warrant in the mail!

27 replies

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/06/2007 14:03

It is for non payment of a fine, but this is the first I have heard of it.
I really have no idea what this is for, but it's obviously official and I am really freaking out.
I have tried calling the number but it is constantly engaged.
What on earth did/do I do?

OP posts:
Tigana · 01/06/2007 14:05

?parking fine?
?speeding fine?

keep re-dialling that number!

MascaraOHara · 01/06/2007 14:07

agree all you can do is keep ringing (or hand yourself in) and ask them what it's about..might geuinely be a mistake

PrincessPeaHead · 01/06/2007 14:07

sounds like bollox

what is an arrest warrant? do you mean a warrant for arrest which the police would have, and which would not be sent to you?!!

be careful, sounds like a scam. I would ignore it, or if you don't want to do that take it to your CAB.

Tigana · 01/06/2007 14:08

Good point pph!
Is there a company name on there you can google?

Lolly68 · 01/06/2007 14:10

In the mail??? I would be quite dubious cos surely it would be hand delivered or something?

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/06/2007 14:11

I understand what you mean, maybe some dodgy debt collection company trying to con people out of money, but It is on HMCS headed paper, from our local magistrates court.

OP posts:
scatterbrain · 01/06/2007 14:11

Surely a wind up - the police would come to your house to get you if they wanted to arrest you !

lulumama · 01/06/2007 14:11

arrest warrants have to be hand served i thought?!?!?!?

scatterbrain · 01/06/2007 14:12

Where is Cod - she'd know if this could be real ?

Roskva · 01/06/2007 14:12

Sounds like a scam to me, too. If the police wanted to arrest you, they would turn up in person, so to speak. Does the thing say exactly what offence you are supposed to have been charged with, including act, paragraph and subsection? If it does, look that up on the internet. If it doesn't then it is definitely a scam.

LynetteScavo · 01/06/2007 14:12

Are you in the UK? Sounds ridiculous. I'd be more likely to phone the local police station.

schneebly · 01/06/2007 14:13

unless is is a wage arrestment warrant?

Iklboo · 01/06/2007 14:15

The phone number could be linked to one of those outrageously expensive phone lines - and the fact the phone is constantly engaged sounds like they've sent out a lot.
Get the phone number for your local magistrates court from Google or the operator & phone the court direct. They'll be able to give your more details (like if its a hoax or not)

PrincessPeaHead · 01/06/2007 14:17

cod is away on hols

agree, phone your mags court using a number out of your phone book and see what they say. if there is a charge number on it, quote that. but it sounds unlikely to be real, to me

bookthief · 01/06/2007 14:17

Have you tried googling the phone number? I did this with a missed call I kept getting and found it mentioned on a forum. It was a direct marketing company with lots of disgruntled recipients.

If it's a scam it may well already be known.

squidette · 01/06/2007 14:18

Sounds like a court summons, if its on headed paper? Agree that an arrest warrant is served in person, by police, not post, by the court.

Court summons for non-payment of fines will say clearly what the charges are. If not, be very cautious.

ktmoomoo · 01/06/2007 14:19

id phone your local police station and ask them for advise huni xx

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/06/2007 14:21

Oh thank god. Just spoke to them, got confused for a whilre and between us we figured out it is a mistake, of sorts.
Basically last summer I got on the train at our local station (no ticket barriers/inspectors) and when I got into central london couldn't find my weekly pass to get through the barriers, and so they issued an on the spot fine. I got hiome and it was right there on the kitchen counter.
I was then told to send my weekly pass to the train company who would confirm that I had just left it at home rather than trying to fare dodge, and did so, but this obviously slipped through the system and went to court.
Fortunately I've still got the pass and the confirmation letter from them around here somewhere so i can prove myself.
Phew.
I need a drink now, that had me in a real panic!lol.

OP posts:
tortoiseSHELL · 01/06/2007 14:23

Sounds like a scam to me. DOn't phone any number they give you, find a number independently.

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/06/2007 14:23

Thanks for trying to help. It does look dubious, no mention of what the fine is for etc, so not very proffesional for a court to be sening out, but it clearly is genuine.

OP posts:
Lolly68 · 01/06/2007 14:23

If it is on HMCS paper then it sounds legit otherwise the company who have used this could be in serious trouble. I hope nothing comes of this but I think you should enquire more. Maybe phone your local CAB?

tortoiseSHELL · 01/06/2007 14:23

Oh that's good - x posted with you, good to have it sorted!

Lolly68 · 01/06/2007 14:24

Our posts crossed. Thank goodness you sorted it!! [GRIN]

Lolly68 · 01/06/2007 14:24
Grin
LynetteScavo · 01/06/2007 14:26

You can tick this off the 'things to do before you die' list now!