Penalty charge notice scam? Bristow and Sutor.

[castironplant]

I received an email, from what appears to be a legitimate company, called Bristow and Sutor, regarding an outstanding PCN. I haven't (most definitely) received a penalty charge notice, so I'm wondering if it's some sort of scam.

I typed in the case number provided, but it doesn't tell me how much the debt is, or give any details at all. It just takes me to a payment page to enter my address and card number and asks how much I wish to pay.

This is the email I received:

26 June 2024

URGENT NOTICE – PCN OVERDUE


My name is Gareth and I have attempted to contact you in an effort to discuss a Penalty Charge Notice that has gone unpaid to our client and now requires your urgent attention. Our records indicate that you have failed to pay your debt. You may not have responded previously due to an oversight

TAKE NOTE: A Warrant of Control has been issued by County Court with instruction to enforce the debt following the procedure set out In the Shedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Your case is about to be given to an agent. If they attend, your belongings or car may be removed and sold and you will be liable for the considerable costs involved if this happens. The time to choose to stop this from happening is now.

Take notice that it is our intention to continue action in regards to this matter. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) teams are working in your local area 7 days a week, including overnight. There is now an ANPR marker on your vehicle which, once located, can be removed and sold, even in your absence.


To protect your personal belongs you must pay the balance outstanding in FULL immediately.


www.bristowsutor.co.uk




I must therefore urge you to contact me immediately on 01527 509582 to discuss this matter further or pay now: https://www.bristowsutor.co.uk/pay//_

Gareth
Telephone Collections Agent
Bristow & Sutor
01527509582
Please do not reply to this email.

Looks scammy to me. If you click reply on the email is the email address they sent it from actually from a “bristowsutor.co.uk” email address?

I agree contact by email is odd but the rest of it looks kosher to me.

I've done a fair bit of advice work with people being chased for Parking Fines from both councils and private land owners and I've dealt with B&S and Marston's amongst others. I appreciate a name or accent on it's own doesn't tell us anything but it and Gareths professional tone on his outgoing voicemail arev things that help in a 'sniff test'.

On the other side, I've had number of scam calls I've had myself from people with names like Kevin or David but with strong Asian accents and clearly on long distance telephony. They don't smell right!!

Since the OP has no intention of paying they're at no risk in calling to get details.

If the OP's not had a car of their own for a couple of years have they hired one?

A short term hire co can, IIRC, pass the responsibility to the hirer.

Thanks everyone! I'll try to reply now.

I feel nervous about the idea of calling a bailiff, and their Google reviews aren't encouraging, to say the least, but that's probably what I should do.

@castironplant if you want a handhold CAB are pretty good but overwhelmed.

I was going to come on say this re 'who called me'. Also did you cut and paste as 'schedule' is spelt wrong which is a red flag. The number for Bristow and Sutor that comes up is not the one given to you. I would ring the number in their site 08716770070 to double check

I did cut and paste. The spelling mistake was part of the reason I thought it must be a scam.

They also haven't used my name, and it's been sent to one of my email addresses not containing my name in the address.

No I haven't received any court paperwork.

The case reference is at the top of the email I received, but when I type it into the link provided it doesn't give me any information at all as to the 'debt' or how much is owed. It just asks for my address then card details and asks how much I want to pay.

It's from [email protected]

I don’t think reviews for bailiff are going to be positive tbf

I’ve meet many people who have dealt with B&S and they aren’t usually happy about the fees they charge etc

but is this a scam or really B&S?

Did you sell a car and the buyer hasn't updated the registration?

If you call I would also bypass Gareth and call the company directly on an official number. Not using your name on the email is a big red flag for me, and no car reg either, makes it seem like a fishing attempt sent to loads of emails in the hope someone will bite and pay up, not sure if they did anything or not.

Just explain that you don't know what this is about and see what they say.

Let us know how you get on.

This number, primarily associated with Debt Scam, is a landline operated by BT, and is located in Redditch, England

https://who-called.co.uk/Number/01527509582

That sort of thing is possible but if it related to a car registered to the OP then the two or three notices from the Council and something from the Traffic Enforcment unit in Northampton should have reached @castironplant

No, I haven't hired a car for well over a decade. I hardly drove before I stopped driving (I commute by train) and I've never received a PCN.

The company methods sound dubious that I wonder if it's another old debt and this is a way to get me to call. The answer is to check, I know, but I'm off work at the moment (stress related) so not keen to call.

Contact and ask to see a trail of evidence

IME the admin people in these companies are polite and professional.

The actual agents are a different kettle of fish.

It could be related to someone of similar name/location and speculative that you will respond. Is your email address publicly available or similar to your name or initials?

https://www.bristowsutor.co.uk/news-media/news/general-news/guidance-on-bailiff-and-enforcement-officer-scam/

this has advice and a chat facility if you think it is a scam (which it does to me).

It just asks for my address then card details and asks how much I want to pay

So you can't actually see what the case details, what you're being charged, what you're being charged for, who's originated the fine, you just get to pay?

Riiiiiggght. Scam. And if I'm right, you get on a sucker list that gets passed around other scammers.

And how did they get your email address? colleague years ago was very pleased that HMRC had emailed her about a refund, they just needed her card details to make a payment...until I asked her the same question. That was a scam and I reckon this is as well.

Ok, so there's not your name or address on it, no car reg, zero things tying it to you as a person except a non-identifying email address.

Most likely thing is someone is after an actual person but has given or received or typed the email address incorrectly.

I'd get in touch and ask them first what name they are trying to contact. It won't be you.

i actually think bristowsutor.co.uk is genuine.
The website was first registered in 1998.
Even if the company is genuine, it doesn't mean that the debt exists. ie its a fishing exercise for someone else's debt.
You do need to speak to them.
If the debt is yours, you can get it returned to court i think my sending a stat dec that you never received any paperwork from the court in the first place.

If you call them OP, definitely call.a switchboard number not the number given. It looks like may be a scam

I didn't do anything at all about this and ignored. I've just, this evening, received another email. I've copied and pasted it in exactly as received (minus the reference numbers). Again the elementary spelling errors make me think this is a scam. It's not addressed to anyone, so I haven't removed names.

29 July 2024

My name is Ian @Bristow&Sutor I am attempting to contact you because you’re Penalty Charge Notice remains unpaid despite several attempts to resolve the matter with you. If you do not contact us, we will treat this as an active choice to be considered for legal proceedings.

Take notice that it is our intention to recommend to our client this case be reviewed for legal action, and you could get a CCJ. This may cost you more and lead to:

· A Third Party Debt order – freezing your bank account

· A Charging Order – preventing the sale of property

· An Attachment of Earnings Order – compelling your employer to deduct money from your earnings

To avoid this you must pay the balance outstanding balance of £943.00

www.bristowsutor.co.uk

I must therefore urge you to contact me immediately @Bristow&Sutor on 01527394435 to discuss this matter further.

Ian
Telephone Collections Agent
Bristow & Sutor
01527394435
Please do not reply to this email.

I've haven't received any contact other than these two emails.

Maybe send a “prove it” email but don’t sign off with your name.

https://moneyadvisor.co.uk/prove-it-debt-letter-quick-guide-tips/#