What the courts say
HM Courts & Tribunals Service has warned of fraudsters who phone people, claim to be county court bailiffs, High Court enforcement officers or certificated enforcement agents, and demand an immediate bank transfer for a court debt.
Its guidance says genuine bailiffs and enforcement officers “will never”:
- telephone to ask for bank details, or
- telephone to ask for a bank transfer using a sort code and account number.
Court officials may phone about a warrant and can take a card payment, but they do not ask for account numbers.
How to check
| Who they say they are | How to check |
|---|---|
| A certificated enforcement agent | Search the Certificated Enforcement Agent Register by name. It shows the court that issued the certificate and when it expires. |
| A High Court enforcement officer | Look them up in the HCEOA directory. |
| A county court or family court bailiff | Contact the court directly, using contact details from GOV.UK and not from the caller. |
| An agent collecting a magistrates’ court fine | GOV.UK names the Approved Enforcement Agencies: CDER Group, Marston Holdings and Jacobs Enforcement. |
For any enforcement company, the safest contact details are the ones on its own website, found independently and not taken from the text or letter being checked. The company pages on this site link to each firm’s official site.
Signs that something is wrong
- A first contact by phone or text, with no Notice of Enforcement received beforehand.
- Pressure to pay within minutes by bank transfer.
- A caller who will not give a name, a company and a reference that can be checked.
- A debt nobody at the address recognises, with no court, council or reference named.
- Payment details in a personal name.
What a genuine agent must be able to show
An enforcement agent must, on request, show evidence of their identity and of their authority to enter. GOV.UK suggests asking for a badge, ID card or enforcement agent certificate, the company name, a contact telephone number and a breakdown of the amount owed. These can be asked for before a door is opened.
Texts from real enforcement firms
Enforcement companies do send text messages and emails about real cases. A genuine one will carry a reference that matches a Notice of Enforcement and will direct payment to the firm’s own published payment page or phone line. If there is doubt, the firm can be contacted through its official website.
If it was a scam
Reports go to Action Fraud, online or on 0300 123 2040. Anyone who has made a payment should contact their bank straight away.
When a firm has stopped trading
Payments should not be made to a company that is no longer acting for the creditor. In September 2026 councils told residents to stop paying Whyte & Co after it ceased trading. What happened with Whyte & Co
Free debt advice is available
These organisations give free, impartial debt advice and are independent of Bailiff Support Team. Nobody has to use a paid or commercial service to get help with their debts, and using one of the free services does not reduce the options available. Their advisers can also ask an enforcement firm to extend a notice period or apply for Breathing Space where it fits.
- MoneyHelperGovernment-backed. Finds a free debt adviser nearby or online.
- StepChange Debt CharityFree debt advice online and by phone.
- Citizens AdviceDetailed help with bailiffs, online and in person.
- National DebtlineFree advice and sample letters, run by the Money Advice Trust.
Sources
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service: Guidance on bailiff and enforcement officer scam
- GOV.UK: Bailiff powers when they visit your home
- Certificated Enforcement Agent Register (Ministry of Justice)
- High Court Enforcement Officers Association: find a member
- Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 12
- Action Fraud