It all started 3 years back, when I received a letter stating that a car with registration number Y567RPP, registered in his name, at my address, had been involved in a traffic offence. I rang the Met police in London and told them, first that I live in Lancaster, secondly, that I do not know of anyone with that name, and thirdly, that I live alone and it would have been unwise of anyone to issue me with a driver’s license as a person registered blind. The Met said I should forward the letter to them and they’d sort it. I’ve never heard from them since, but I got lots of other things such as unpaid debts, notices of renewal, etc.
And then, it came the turn of Newham Council. I tried the same attitude with them, and they said I should write a formal letter, I did. Next, it was Northampton County Court. That’s where most small claims are heard. I contacted them when I received a notification that judgment had been entered against this guy in my address. I told them the matter was ongoing. They asked if I was registered for electoral purposes as the sole occupant of that address, I said yes. They asked for how long, and I told them since 2004. They assured me the matter was now over.
But I knew it wasn’t, when Bailiffs wrote. I tried the same approach, but these people are more determined. They asked me to contact Newham Borough Council, and I did. Newham said I should contact Parking and Traffic Enforcement in Warrington, I did and even wrote them with all the information I had. I also contacted DVLA in Cardiff to tell them that if this guy ever renewed his license using my address, they should know he doesn’t live here. Did all that help?
Meanwhile, the bailiffs had written again, threatening to seize the car belonging to MR Aeyaetam (reference 12735463) at my address. This would have been such fun! My house is in one of those places, full of cars belonging to workers who don’t want to pay the excessive parking rates in town. Every time I step out of my frontdoor in the morning, I wish someone would tell the car owners that the front of my house belongs to me, even if I (and one guest) have my own private parking space at the rare. Bring on the bailiffs I say.
They actually came from Northampton, but of course, I don’t spend daylight hours waiting for a bailiff, so I wasn’t in. Pity. Every time I contacted them, they treated me as though there was a presumption of guilt, rather than the traditional presumption of innocence. I even sent them a second letter on 1 March 2011, this time, including a bill showing that telephone calls made at this address are made in my name. And after that, they showed up a second time, and again, I wasn’t available. How sad. I was looking forward to handing a car over to them, or having them prove that a visually impaired guy could commit a parking offence in London with a car registered in someone else’s name.
After they visited a second time, and sent nme another letter warning me that they’d be back, I’d had enough. I again sent them a letter with proof that this was indeed my house. I told them that their action was beginning to constitute harassment. I reminded them I had given them my email address and told them that I only read Braille and emails. I believe they got the message, because since 20 April, they haven’t written or called. Or perhaps on a third visit when I wasn’t around, they decided I was avoiding them and seized a car belonging to an innocent person.
I suppose it’s asking too much to expect an apology via email, or at the very least, an acknowledgement of my letter and the return of my telephone bills. One day, even bailiffs might learn about customer service. In these days when there’s such noise about identity fraud, I would have thought that such people might note that not everyone is a criminal.
As for you, mr Dare Aeyaetam, (or whatever your name is) I pray that you are eventually prosecuted for overspeeding in the jurisdiction of Newham Borough Council. If that happens, I hope they also prosecute you for stealing my address, but giving that neither the Met, Newham Council, Parking and Traffic Enforcement, DVLA, Northampton Court, or even our dear Equita Certificated bailiffs of Northampton have ever acknowledged my letters, perhaps you might just get away. How sad.
You would have noticed of course that I have made it a habit of opening mails addressed to you, I am really sorry. I always give all letters to sighted helpers, presuming that they belong to me. I should take note that your ghost resides at my address, but if it does, why don’t you ask it to come read the mails and sort this bother out. Perhaps it can take responsibility for your action, or is it as dishonest as you are?
