Have you received an unexpected email, text message or letter demanding payment for a parking charge, council tax debt or court fine? Before making any payment, take a moment to check that it is genuine.
Fraudsters increasingly impersonate Enforcement Agents, High Court Enforcement Officers and County Court Bailiffs to pressurise people into making payments. Some even adopt the names of legitimate enforcement companies and enforcement agents to make their scams appear convincing.
This guide explains how to verify whether a demand is genuine, the warning signs to look for, and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Why you need to stay alert
CIVEA is aware that fraudsters are impersonating enforcement agents and using the names of legitimate enforcement firms to deceive members of the public.
Scammers may claim to be:
Some fraudsters also use publicly available information, including details from the Certificated Enforcement Agent Register, to make their communications appear genuine. However, publicly available information does not prove that the person contacting you is who they claim to be.
Many scams involve bogus parking charge notices sent by email or text message. These communications often look convincing because they may include your name, email address or vehicle registration number. They may also imitate the branding of a genuine enforcement company.
If you receive an unexpected demand for payment and have not previously received correspondence about a fine, treat it with caution until you have verified that it is genuine.
Fraudsters can also clone telephone numbers and email addresses so that they appear to come from a legitimate organisation. Never rely solely on the contact details contained within a suspicious email, text or letter.
Check the case reference
Every genuine enforcement case will have a unique case or reference number that appears on official correspondence.
If someone contacts you unexpectedly, ask them to confirm the case reference and compare it with any previous letters or notices you have received.
If you have any doubt, contact the enforcement company or the creditor (the organisation claiming the debt) directly by using the telephone number or email address published on the official website or contained in previously verified correspondence.
Fraudsters are unlikely to have access to genuine case-specific information. If the individual who has contacted you cannot verify the correct reference number or refuses to provide it, end the conversation immediately.
Be cautious about payment requests
CIVEA member firms may contact people by telephone to discuss a warrant or arrange payment by debit or credit card.
However, a legitimate enforcement agent will not ask you to provide your bank account number, sort code or online banking credentials in order to make a bank transfer.
Be particularly cautious if someone:
Legitimate enforcement companies normally provide secure payment methods through official payment channels. If you are asked to transfer money directly into an unfamiliar bank account, pause and verify the request before making any payment.
If someone claims to be a High Court Enforcement Officer or Certificated Enforcement Agent, contact the company they claim to represent using independently verified contact details.
If someone claims to be a County Court Bailiff from HM Courts & Tribunals Service, contact the relevant court directly using official GOV.UK contact details.
Remember to ASK
A – Aware
Ask yourself whether you recognise the debt or fine being demanded.
A visit from an enforcement agent does not happen without prior contact. In most cases, you will have received earlier correspondence from the creditor, local authority, court or enforcement company before a visit takes place.
If the demand - by text, email, phone or a knock at the door- comes completely out of the blue, take time to verify it before making payment.
Enforcement action does not happen without prior contact. In most cases, you will have received earlier correspondence from the creditor, local authority, court or enforcement company before an enforcement visit takes place.
If the demand comes completely out of the blue, take time to verify it before making payment.
S – Suspicion
Be alert to anything that seems unusual.
Warning signs include:
CIVEA member firms may accept payment by debit or credit card, but they will not ask you to disclose your bank account details to arrange a bank transfer.
If you are unsure, do not provide your financial information until you have verified the request.
K – Keep calm
Do not feel pressured into acting immediately.
Fraudsters often create a false sense of urgency by claiming that extra fees will be added or that enforcement action will take place unless payment is made straight away.
A genuine enforcement agent will understand that you may wish to verify their identity and the case details before making payment.
Payment safety checklist
Before making any payment, ask yourself:
If anything does not seem right, stop and verify the information before making payment.
If someone visits your home
In most cases, enforcement action carried out by CIVEA member firms will be preceded by a Notice of Enforcement, giving you the opportunity to resolve the debt before an enforcement visit takes place.
If someone visits claiming to be an enforcement agent:
Enforcement agents working for CIVEA member firms will always carry official identification and wear body-worn cameras while carrying out enforcement activity.
A genuine enforcement agent will understand if you wish to take a few moments to verify their identity. If you are unsure, do not allow anyone into your home until you have confirmed who they are with the enforcement company or relevant authority.
If you think you've been targeted by a scam
If you believe you have received a fraudulent email, text message, letter or telephone call, do not make a payment or provide any personal or financial information.
Report the scam through Report Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
If money has already been taken from your account, contact your bank immediately.
If the scammer has claimed to represent a CIVEA member firm, you should also notify the company directly so they are aware that their identity may be being misused. You can also report the incident to CIVEA by emailing: info@civea.co.uk.
Stay safe
The overwhelming majority of enforcement action carried out by CIVEA member firms follows a clear legal process designed to give people the opportunity to resolve outstanding debts before further action is taken.
Unfortunately, fraudsters seek to exploit the reputation of legitimate enforcement professionals by impersonating them and creating a false sense of urgency.
Taking a few moments to verify unexpected communications, checking official contact details and never feeling pressured into making an immediate payment can significantly reduce the risk of becoming the victim of a scam.
If in doubt, always stop, check and verify before you pay.
Last updated: July 2026
For general enquiries only, you can contact us by email at info@civea.co.uk.
CIVEA is unable to consider complaints about its members. If you have a complaint or concern about one of our members, please go to our complaints page for more information.
