County Court Bailiff Scam

[8IKERDAVE]

I suspect I've been a victim of this today (although only in principle as no money has been handed over).

I was driving earlier and my work phone was diverted to my mobile. I received a call from someone claiming to be a County Court Bailiff. He said he is phoning in relation to a debt of £882 owed to HMRC. He gave some identifying number and said he had been to my old premises but no one was there (we moved 3 years ago) and was coming to our current premises. I advised him I wouldn't be there for 40 minutes or so and asked him to explain the debt as we owe nothing to HMRC and have never received any correspondence stating we do.

He said he couldn't go into it over the phone and would see my back at my unit. This was 2 hours ago and nothing. Having looked around a little online it appears this is a common scam, however he never asked for any money over the phone. All the information he provided about my business can be easily obtained online so that didn't convince me.

I've never been through the courts for anything so not familiar with the process but this just smelled 'off' straight away. I just wanted to warn others really who might find themselves in a similar position. Has anyone on here experienced anything similar?

[DaveA8]

Pretty much certain a scam as HMRC enforcement ( if a debt is actually due) tend to call around first and surprisingly are all relatively decent people.
HMRC will have written millions of times before it gets to Court.
The only caveat I’d put is if there was another company of a similar name that ceased to trade and maybe they’ve mixed up, I know as when we moved into our building years ago a few times HMRC enforcement came around for the previous people, they guy never changed the address but redirected it for a while.

[Simpo Two]

You'd have needed a CCJ before any kind of bailiff would be involved. I suspect a mix-up; he didn't try to get money over the phone (as a scammer would) but if genuine it's odd he never turned up. Maybe he checked with base and found he'd got something wrong.

[classicaholic]

I have had a few of these recently - they all have a mobile number, scamming gits!

[goldieandblackie]

Or they operate a sim farm of numbers.

[fouronthefloor]

I had this recently. They suggested I pay them over the phone or they would visit my premises that evening and take goods to the value of the debt. I said bring it on, knowing full well that I don't owe anyone money. Also the address they asked me to confirm, is my accountant's office which is the registered company address.

[Quattromaster]

My brother business partner had a similar call today, he runs a construction company.

Guy on the phone said he had taken out a subscription with a building firm, not paid, so the bailiffs were on the way.

Needless to say nobody ever showed.

Very strange.