CIVEA reports lead to government advice on fraud

CIVEA reports lead to government advice on fraud.

Following up our reports to the Ministry of Justice about fraudulent activity and bogus enforcement agents, the government has published guidanceto help protect people from scams. We welcome this guidance.

Fraudsters have been phoning members of the public, posing as County Court bailiffs, High Court Enforcement Officers and Certificated Enforcement Agents. During the calls, the fraudsters claim that the person owes money, and demands that they transfer funds into a bank account.

Fraudulent activity is on the increase and CIVEA members are doing all they can to protect the public, as well as our industry’s reputation.

Bailiff and enforcement officer scams*

We have become aware of scammers phoning members of the public, posing as County Court bailiffs, High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) and Certificated Enforcement Agents (CEAs).

During the calls, the fraudsters claim that the person owes money, and demands that they transfer funds into a bank account.

We may contact you by phone to discuss a warrant of control and will offer to take debit or credit card payments over the phone.

However, we will never:

• telephone you to ask for your bank details
• telephone you to ask you to make a bank transfer using your sort code and account number

If anyone claiming to be a county court bailiff, an HCEO or CEA calls asking for this information, you should not make any payment or give out your bank details.

You should end the call and contact:

• your local county court, if the caller says they are an HMCTS bailiff. Contact details for county courts are on GOV.UK
• the company the person claims to work for, if the caller says they are a HCEO or CEA. Contact the High Court Enforcement Officers Association and the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) for more information

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam you should report the matter to:

Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040.

*Ministry of Justice guidance, July 2023