Guidance on bailiff and enforcement officer scam

We are calling on people to stay vigilant against fraudsters posing as enforcement officers and bailiffs

Guidance has been circulated by the HM Courts & Tribunals Service over a recent increase in fraudulent activity:

We have become aware of scammers are 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 and not give their 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 Officers 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.