DG Collection Services
Have you had a letter from DG Collection Services warning you about a visit to your home?
Many court-appointed enforcement agents are involved with the collection of unpaid taxes, fines, overpayments and other court-processed debt.
If you’ve recently received warning of a bailiff’s visit, it’s essential that you understand your rights and also of the different ways you can prepare and protect yourself.
The most common questions we get asked about bailiffs’ powers are in respect to protecting personal possessions and motor vehicles. We can suggest ways to keep them safe while you deal with the money you owe.
If you’re struggling to make your repayments, you could benefit from professional advice to help you get out of debt and maintain control of your finances.
The golden rule when dealing with any bailiff
Never give bailiffs access to your home or belongings.
In simple terms: DON’T LET THEM IN.
Whatever a bailiff or enforcement agent tells you, you don’t have to let them into your home—telling them that they don’t have your permission won’t be enough, as they will attempt every trick in the book to get past you and into your home.
Keep all the doors locked shut. If you have to speak to your enforcement agent, do it through the letterbox or a window that they can’t climb through to get into your home.
If you can, you should join them outside, but be careful not to allow them a chance to get in through the door, as you’re leaving to join them.
DG Collection Services contact details:
Company Name: DG Collection Services Ltd.
Other Names: DG Collection Bailiffs, DG Collection Services, DG Enforcement Agency, DG Enforcement Agents, DGCB
Address:
Regency House
Bonville Road
Brislington
Bristol
BS4 5QH
Main Contact Number(s): 01179 716005
Website: www.dgcollectionservices.co.uk
Email: info@dgcollectionservices.co.uk
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00am–5:30pm
Who is DG Collection Services?
DG Collection Services is one of the South West’s leading independent enforcement agents and debt recovery specialists. They are based in Bristol and have over 30 year’s experience.
They provide services to local authorities, collecting outstanding debts, payments and recovering overpayments on accounts.
The Ministry of Justice regulates all bailiffs and enforcement agencies.
Why would DG Collection Services contact you?
DG Collection specialise in collecting unpaid Council Tax, National Non-Domestic Rates arrears, as well as servicing and enforcing arrest-committal warrants for local authorities. They also collect motor finance arrears and carry out vehicle repossessions.
Bailiffs have the authority to remove your possessions and sell them to pay towards the money you owe.
Items DG Collection Services can take from you:
- Luxury items
- Antiques
- Jewellery
- Electrical goods
- Joint-owned items
- Televisions
- Games consoles
- Cash
- Cars
Items DG Collection Services can’t take from you:
- Heating and lighting appliances
- Everyday use appliances, i.e., white goods such as your cooker, fridge, freezer
- Clothes, food and other daily essential items
- Dining tables and chairs for the occupants of your home
- Landline telephone or mobile phone
- Work tools and equipment up to £1,350 in value
- Belongings owned by someone else living in your home, i.e., your partner’s computer, children’s toys, etc.
- Pets
- Assistance dogs
If your bailiff hasn’t followed the correct procedure to remove your goods, you are entitled to make a complaint and hopefully have your possessions returned.
Another method to keep your belongings safe is not to give your bailiff access to them in the first place.
They have told you when their visit will be, and that gives you time to think of an alternative.
You should consider moving your valuables away from your home. If you can store them at a friend or relative’s house until your problems are resolved, the bailiff won’t have access to them to take them away.
Your bailiff won’t give up after their first attempt. In fact, they’re incredibly determined to recover the money you owe—also, the charges they make can make your total debt amount harder than ever to manage.
If you’re struggling with your finances, contact our resident debt expert, TAD, today. They will guide you through the most suitable process to get out of debt in your situation.
What happens to the goods DG Collection Services take from you?
Ultimately, they are sold to pay back the money you owe.
However, this is often a last resort. The enforcement agent will carry out a search of your property and create a Controlled Goods Agreement. This documents all of the items they intend to remove and sell if you don’t enter into and stick to a suitable payment plan.
The charges that come with the bailiff’s actions are quite extensive, so you should try to avoid them wherever possible.
Dealing with your budget and finding an appropriate method to write off or repay your debt should be your first step. TAD is ready and waiting to help you with everything you need to know.
What happens when DG Collection Services try to take your car?
Similarly to not giving enforcement agents access to your home, if they can’t find your car, they can’t clamp it or take it away.
The enforcement agent will often clamp a car to tow it or have it removed at a later date. Whatever you do, you must never tamper with a wheel clamp fitted by the bailiff. This is a serious offence and can land you with a jail sentence lasting up to a year!
You can try parking your car on a neighbour’s driveway or in a friend’s garage. A bailiff doesn’t have access to someone else’s private property without obtaining a court order.
If you’re still paying for your car under a hire purchase agreement, it can’t be used against your debt, nor can any vehicle that carries a Blue Disabled Badge.
Bailiff’s fees
Bailiff’s fees are high and entirely legal.
The Taking of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 dictate what a bailiff may charge for their services, yet seem very costly for what they involve.
You can be charged up to £75 for a warning or notice letter, and £235 for a visit to your home.
These excessive charges soon add up, adding to the debt that you’re already struggling to pay.
We can help you understand the best ways to get problem finances back under control. Support from our trusted debt advice partners will help you determine the state of your debt to be certain you do owe the money, or if it has been statute barred.
If they can challenge the debt, they will make sure you don’t have to pay them a penny.
If, however, the debt is live, then they can help you find a debt solution that suits your circumstances to help regain control of your finances.
Your debt solution will allow you to repay what you owe with monthly payments based on what you can realistically afford each month.
For help dealing with your debt, talk to TAD to be connected with one of our trusted debt partners.
