You are receiving nuisance SMS text messages from a bailiff company
Block the sender's number, Block anonymous or private numbers, Refrain from clicking any links in a message, or downloading apps from a bailiff's website
Should you install an application from a bailiff's website, they possess the capability to ascertain your whereabouts, monitor your movements, and potentially locate you or your vehicle.
Bailiff firms acquire your mobile number through the DVLA. This number corresponds to the one you provided on the V5 Green new-keeper slip upon acquiring your vehicle, subsequently dispatching it to Swansea.
Receiving an unsolicited text message from a bailiff company indicates their lack of knowledge regarding your residential address, prompting their efforts to trace you. Typically, the debt pertains to an outstanding traffic contravention debt linked to a vehicle registered at an alternate address.
Any individual who transmits electronic communication or documentation to another with the intention of causing distress or anxiety, particularly for the purpose of illicitly procuring a money transfer, commits an offence.
If the message is causing you anxiety or distress then the sender commits an offence under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.
Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 also provides prohibition of harassment.
Report them to your mobile phone provider free of charge by forwarding the message to 7726.
All operators now use 7726, with the exception of Vodafone who use 87726.
Bailiff companies dispatch text messages requesting contact with individuals due to uncertainties regarding their whereabouts and the accuracy of their provided mobile numbers. These messages serve to elicit a response and ascertain updated information. Upon returning the call, individuals may be prompted to verify their address or similar details, as the bailiffs aim to gather pertinent information about them.
Sample messages may resemble the following:
You have failed to make contact with Newlyn. ENFORCEMENT AGENT IS DUE TO ATTEND to REMOVE GOODS as per COURT ORDER. To AVOID ACTION call 01604 633001
DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE. An Enforcement Agent may be re-allocated to your account and your goods may be removed. Contact JBW on 0844 576 3620, Ref 1234567
Your account will shortly be issued to an Enforcement Agent to visit you at your home. Contact JBW on 0844 576 3620, Ref 1234567 Security code 1234
ENFORCEMENT AGENTS DUE TO GAIN ENTRY TO TAKE CONTROL OF GOODS FROM REGISTERED ADDRESS UNDER COURT WARRANT OF CONTROL, Liability ORDER.
FURTHER CHARGES FOR ACTIONS MAY BE APPLIED TODAY BETWEEN 14.05 & 14.15PM. RETURN HOME NOW OR TO STOP CALL 07854438420.PLS QUOTE REF 374820
If the sender's number is hidden or untraceable, the message is considered spam. Please report it to the Information Commissioners Office online here
Bailiff companies procure mobile numbers through debtor-initiated calls, subsequently initiating the transmission of unsolicited spam text messages.
Adhere to the following straightforward procedure:
1. Using an Android device: Tap the three-dot icon located in the upper right corner of the text messaging application. Navigate to Settings >> Spam protection, and activate the Enable spam protection option. Your device will notify you of incoming messages identified as spam.
2. Use the "Block and Report" feature to prevent the sender's number from sending you additional messages and distributing the bailiff number to other Android users without informing the bailiff.
3. You have the option to formally report the perpetrator to the authorities by utilising the provided template letter and reinforcing your complaint with a call to the police via the non-emergency 101 number. Should a company be found sending messages with the intent to deceitfully obtain funds not court-ordered or mandated by law, it may be in breach of Section 993 of the Companies Act 2006.
Make a criminal complaint of Harassment by Text Message.
In accordance with Section 3 of the Protection of Harassment Act 1997, you have the entitlement to seek compensation for various harms, including anxiety induced by harassment and any financial losses incurred as a consequence of such harassment.
You have the option to petition for an injunction against the perpetrator and consistently request reimbursement for your expenses. If you are experiencing financial constraints, you may complete a court form EX160a and refer to the accompanying guidance notes for assistance. Please contact your local county court to obtain the requisite application forms.
Ensure that the following points are clearly articulated in your grounds when completing the form.
1. The sender is suspected to be either a bailiff or a bailiff company.
2. There exists no debt, and the perpetrator is falsely asserting otherwise.
3. The messages are causing significant distress and anxiety.
4. Provide a detailed enumeration of the quantity of text messages along with the date of each transmission.
5. Any incurred financial losses should be duly noted.
6. If medical assistance has been sought for stress or anxiety, include a medical professional's statement.
7. Specify that the application is made pursuant to Section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
If you have required medical attention and received a diagnosis, whether wholly or partially attributed to receiving spam or nuisance text messages from a bailiff, you are eligible to pursue a personal injury claim. The exacerbation of a pre-existing medical condition by the bailiff's text messages is immaterial.
Should you incur expenses for obtaining a medical statement, these costs can be included in your application.
Refrain from responding to any text messages; instead, retain them in a secure location in anticipation of potential court inquiries.
Emails:
Bailiffs and bailiff companies occasionally send unsolicited emails, which may include threatening content. Should any email contain a threat, it can be submitted to the police for further investigation.
When using an email client program, it is advisable to consistently designate the sender's email address as "junk." This action adds the sender's domain name and email server IP address to a comprehensive database of identified email spammers, effectively blocking their server from disseminating spam to others.
Similar functionality is available on online webmail services such as Outlook.com, Gmail, and Yahoo. These platforms share a collective database of known mail server IP addresses utilised by spammers, enabling them to prevent future unsolicited emails from reaching recipients' inboxes.