Free Traffic Legal Advice

My friend had visit from a HMCTS Enforcement Officer pursuing a debt in the name of her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. The Officer came to the door proclaiming a Warrant of Control with a right to make forcible entry and walked in. This caused A LOT of distress, and I am keen to make sure it can’t happen again.

The householder’s daughter split with her boyfriend in June 2023. The debt was from Camberwell Green Court, which closed in 2020, so must have been at least 5 years old.

Should the householder be opening post that might arrive in the defendant’s name? Otherwise, how would they know that an Enforcement Officer with a Warrant of Control is likely to arrive. If a Notice of Enforcement in the defendant’s name is received, should a response be made to the Enforcement Group, or the Court? What should be said, so that they know the Defendant is not at the address and has never lived there? Is there a form to complete?

Happy to be moved to Non-Motoring. In my mind I assumed the Warrant was for non payment of motoring fine. Thinking about it, I have no idea what the original offence was.

Thanks andy_foster. More background:

In June 23 the householder’s daughter split with her boyfriend (the defendant). The daughter and the defendant lived elsewhere, but both used the household address to receive some of their post and parcels. Someone was always in at the householders address and there was less chance of post going astray.

After the split, occasionally post would be received in the defendant’s name. This was always returned to sender. After a year or so some post continued to arrive and was forwarded to the defendant’s mother’s address. In December 2024 the householder received a driving Licence from DVLA in the defendant’s name. It was reported to the police and to the DVLA that the defendant did not live at the address. The police advised that the matter be reported to Action Fraud. This was done and a crime no was provided. It seems that from this time the householder binned any further post arriving in the defendant’s name and continues to do so.

The household is registered as vulnerable. Action Fraud have a crime no recording the potential fraudulent use of the address by the defendant. There is a more up to date address for the defendant, if anyone asked.

No goods ceased. The Enforcement Officer went back through the front door more quickly than he came through it. At the request of the Police I paid the Warrants. I have put in a Third Party Claim to recover the payments. Once the Warrants were paid all charges by all parties were dropped.

What else can be done to avoid other Enforcement Officers coming round and more than upsetting everyone?

Thanks, andy_foster. I think the householder does need to take a more careful look at mail received and I can assist her in contacting anyone that sends any post.