Are bailiffs allowed to keep spamming with SMS text messages?

No

Its bailiffs trying to trace you, find where you live, find your car or get you to enter your bank details under the threat of a confrontation with bailiffs.

Set your phone to block unknown numbers. That stops bailiffs sending nuisance messages without telling them.

Block the senders number, never reply to an unsolicited bailiffs text message, never click on any links in a text message, and DO NOT download an app offered by a bailiff company, otherwise they can see your location and try getting you to enter your bank details.

Bailiffs get your mobile number from the DVLA, the same number you put on the V5 new keeper slip, and the debt is usually a traffic contravention debt.

If you call the senders number, the bailiff will ask to meet you somewhere, then take control of your car, or follow you back to where you live.

Never reply to unsolicited SMS text messages and make a screenshot of the message for your file copy.

Official guidelines say creditors must not issue warrants to bailiffs to trace missing debtors.[1]

If the message contains a threat or causes distress or anxiety,[2] is indecent or is of a menacing character,[3] or harasses you,[4] the sender commits an offence.

If a company is sending nuisance text messages, then everyone who knows the messages are being sent commits an offence.[5]

If the sender’s number is hidden, then report it to your phone provider by forwarding the message to 7726, or if Vodafone, their number is 87726.

Set your phone to block unknown callers.

Report the offence online to the police with the screenshot of the message.[6]

If the messages are persistent, apply for an injunction.[7]

On an Android phone, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right of the text messaging app, and select Settings >> Spam protection, and turn on the Enable spam protection. Your phone will tell you the incoming message is spam.

PC Mag has an article about blocking spam messages, or Robotexts.[8]




[1] Paragraph 12 of the Taking Control of Goods: National Standards, April 2014
[2] Section 1(1)(a)(ii) of the Malicious Communications Act 1988
[3] Section 127(1)(a) of the Communications Act 2003
[4] Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
[5] Section 993 of the Companies Act 2006
[6] Reporting offences to police online
[7] Section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
[8] PC Mag How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages, 7 August 2020