08451802505

pick up the phone when they ring u but dont talk to them,hold the line for a few minutes than hang up.

this company will never take you to court because they cant afford to pay there staff never mind find court fee's!! they will get bored of ringing you just tell them you have reported them to trading standards and the phone calls will stop, this scam is old news now and about 20 years out of date! good luck !!!

I have been harassed by this company for over 2 months now. I was a nervous wreck! Every time the phone rang I would get palpitations. I have spoken to trading standards and they directed me here. I have nothing to worry about, in fact I can ANSWER the phone now, without fear.

http://www.muswell-hill.com/n10biz/info/news/business-rate-scam.htm

Trading standards warn of business rate scam

In the run up to the announcement by the Valuation Office of new business rates set to come into force in April, Haringey Council's Trading Standards have warned local businesses to be careful about companies offering to help them get their rates reduced.

In the past few years, such companies have had contracts with businesses that asked for payment of a percentage of any reduction in rateable value. However, in many cases, it seems that any savings made by businesses then are swallowed up completely by the company's bill.

Haringey Trading Standards pointed out that anyone can appeal against their business rate themselves - all you need is a form from the Valuation Office on 020 8276 2700. Businesses should also consider using an established lawyer if they can afford it but if they can't, then they should read through the proposed contract very carefully before signing anything.

Principal Trading Standards Officer, John Scale, said, "This latest five year reassessment will undoubtedly increase the rateable value for many businesses and they will naturally look for any way of reducing this cost. Our advice to local businesses is to be cautious about any offer by specialist companies to help reduce their business rates. Some of these are genuine but others will trick businesses over the subtleties of rateable value and transitional relief. These conmen are hiding among more legitimate companies and are giving the industry a bad name."

A local businessman, Pete Powell of Crescent Cars refused to pay one of these companies,  Herber Churchman, and was taken to the Small Claims Court. Mr Powell successfully argued that Herbert Churchman had misrepresented the amount of savings he could make and did not have to pay the company's bill.

http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/07454334
https://www.duedil.com/company/07454334/idbc-limited

Idbc LimitedEdit details
Company Number: 07454334
Company Type: Private limited with Share Capital
SIC Code: 7487, Other Business Activities
Inc. Date: 29 Nov 2010
Annual Returns: 29 Nov 2011
Annual Accounts: 30 Nov 2011

Registered Address
Regus House Herald Way
Pegasus Business Park,
Castle Donnington
Derbyshire
DE74 2TZ

Trading Address
Suite 19 Old Anglo House
Mitton Street
Stourport-on-severn
Worcestershire
DY13 9AQ

PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS
DATE CHANGED    PREVIOUS NAME
01 Dec 2011    Intelligent Technologies Limited

https://www.duedil.com/director/916629437/daniel-paul-underwood

"ABOUT DANIEL UNDERWOOD
In 2012 Daniel Paul Underwood undertook his first directorship role at the age of 28 for a company called "Idbc Limited", where his position was recorded as "AADBH". Idbc Limited is Daniel Paul Underwood newest non-secretarial directorship, where he has held the position of "Salesperson" for 1 year. This company has been around since 2010 and lists it's registered address as being in Derbyshire."

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Report your concerns to the Companies Investigation Branch:

http://www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency/Companies/investigations-hotline

If you have information about misconduct in a company or by an individual please contact the Hotline to help us to protect creditors and the public, and ensure markets work to the benefit of business, investors, employees and customers.

Our Investigations Hotline is a contact point where you can report possible misconduct to the Insolvency Service. We can then consider whether to use our investigatory and enforcement powers. We prefer you to send complaints in writing (online, by email or by post). However, if you are unable to do so for any reason, please leave a message explaining this on our telephone Hotline.

Note – the following information relates to the investigation of companies that are actively trading, or which have ceased trading without entering into insolvency proceedings, using powers of investigation under the Companies Acts.  For information on investigations into companies which have entered into formal insolvency proceedings see our pages on Insolvent Companies.

There must be reasonable grounds to suspect fraud, serious misconduct, material wrong-doing or significant irregularity in a company's affairs for us to investigate.The Insolvency Service does not only investigate the affairs of companies that are subject to insolvency proceedings. It can also investigate companies that are actively trading, or which have ceased trading without entering into insolvency proceedings, using powers of investigation under the Companies Acts.

Please note – ‘company’ can also refer to a Limited Liability Partnership. There must be reasonable grounds to suspect fraud, serious misconduct, material wrong-doing or significant irregularity in a company's affairs for an investigation to take place. The Service can investigate:

Limited companies and limited liability partnerships that are active and have a business address in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, including overseas registered companies which are operating within the UK. Companies that are actively trading, or which have ceased trading without going into compulsory insolvency proceedings.

Investigations are fact finding in nature.  They are not criminal investigations, although they may address conduct which could amount to criminal behaviour.  Our approach is to take a proportionate and realistic view of issues brought to our attention, and to investigate aspects of corporate behaviour which might harm both the business community and the public generally. With this in mind we wish to know about the activities of any company which appears to be causing significant harm to consumers, trade suppliers, service providers, investors etc., who have had dealings with it.  Also where there is any strong indication of serious misconduct in the management or affairs of a company.

Such activities would include companies that:

Are set up for an illegal or improper purpose (‘Sham’ companies);

Engage in, mainly consumer targeted, ‘scams’ where there is little or no intention of supplying or providing the ‘products’ promised;

Promote, advertise or otherwise participate in bogus investment schemes or other ‘get rich quick’ opportunities;

Engage in asset stripping operations;

Target vulnerable groups using high pressure selling techniques;

Take fees, deposits or other advance payments, in circumstances where there is little or no reasonable prospect of providing the goods or services offered;

Falsely claim to ‘ring fence’ or otherwise protect customer or client monies/funds in their possession;

Falsely claim to honour guarantee or warranty obligations;

Falsely claim official status, approval, authorisation, bonding, licensing etc., from or by a government or other official body;

Falsely represent, or otherwise abuse charitable, educational or religious status;

Falsify their accounts, documents of contract or account, or security or references etc. In order to present their affairs more favourably;

Improperly (and successfully) evade debt and/or transfer assets at under value to the detriment of third parties who have dealt in good faith;

Are managed or controlled by persons who are prohibited, by law, from participating in the control or management of a company’s affairs;

Are improperly managed such that reputational damage to the UK corporate regime is likely to result.
You can lodge a complaint or provide information of undesirable activity or behaviour in a variety of ways.

See the section about "How to complain about a company".

Companies>Investigations Hotline>Contacting our investigations hotline

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Our Investigations Hotline number is – 0845 601 3546. This is a 24 hour answer phone facility which allows you to leave your contact details so we can acknowledge your contact and send you the appropriate questionnaire. You should note that we do not routinely return calls.

Use our Complaint Form to report any conduct in companies currently trading which you feel is either fraudulent or against the public interest. When you have completed the form, click on the submit button. The following will happen automatically: -

We will instantly receive a copy of your complaint.

You will receive immediate confirmation that the complaint has been received.

You will receive an acknowledgement by e-mail together with a copy of the completed complaint form and a unique reference number.

Complaint Form:
http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/complaintformcib.html

Remember...

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Edmund Burke

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I have exactly the same problem for the last couple of months, only by a company called

GUARDIAN PROPERTY CORPORATION LTD
37th FLOOR, 1 CANADA SQUARE
CANARY WHARF
LONDON
E14 5AA

I have not paid them and nor will I, no matter how unpleasant these people become.

Letters post marked Nottingham. Invoices with no Vat Reg. No., amending invoices after the tax point to include late payment fees, receiving "court papers" charging solicitors fees and court costs. same man ringing up giving different names!! some of the above postings are so similar it sounds like the same people!!!!

i recieved a phone call in november from IDBC outlining proposal to alter rates, after a long convo i said send me the info etc. i recieved via recoreded delivery documents from idbc and a bill for their work. as we are struggling at this time i decided not to go ahead and left it at that. i recieved a further two invoices for payment of thier work of £385 for which they had sent a letter from a valuation officer saying if there is sufficient evidence we will alter the valuation and confirm this in writing, i have not recieved anything from them at all.

I now have received a county court claims form saying i have to pay up, after reading all the above post i will ignore these people and hope they will get off our back. just waiting on the phone calls that i persume i shall be recieving..keep u updated!!!

go to the link above and fill out the complaint form.
I have also complained to HMRC and Trading Standards about Guardian Property Corporation.
Their tactics are Identical.
When they ring me I hang up straight away and let them leave messages on the answer phone. I have several now all obviously the same man giving himself different names.

https://www.duedil.com/company/07669985/guardian-property-corporation-ltd

Guardian Property Corporation Ltd
Company Number: 07669985
Company Type: Private limited with Share Capital
SIC Code: —
Inc. Date: 14 Jun 2011
Annual Returns: Unknown
Annual Accounts: Unknown
Registered Address
37Th Floor
1 Canada Square Canary Wharf
London
E14 5AA
United Kingdom

"Guardian Property Corporation Ltd was incorporated on 14 Jun 2011 and is located in London. The company's status is active, with one director. They have no known group companies."

https://www.duedil.com/company/07669985/guard ... tion-ltd/people

DIRECTORSHIPS SHOWING ALL DIRECTORSHIPS
NAME & FUNCTION    STATUS    PORTFOLIO

Mr David Anderson (born 35 years ago)
Director, None
03 May 2012 — Present (8 months, 21 days)
Open    
Open1
Retired0
Closed0

Mr Paul Brown (born 45 years ago)
Director, Director
14 Jun 2011 — 03 May 2012 (10 months, 19 days)
Retired    
Open0
Retired1
Closed0

GUARDIAN PROPERTY CORPORATION (GPS)

The registered address in London is a "virtual office" rented from the same company as IDBC Ltd.
They are actually based in Nottingham, (postmark on letters, bank sort code)
I confronted them with this when "Mr Melville-Rodgers"  (some times he calls himself Mr Worthington, sometimes Mr Jenkinson) rang me again, he became quite flustered and started to stammer, mixing up his name and insisting he was in London!!!!

Also, in October Companies House were threatening to disolve GPS!

I have had confirmation from Trading Standards that they are looking into my complaint.
The more people who complain the sooner these scammers will be stopped!

Rate Reduction Scams

Small businesses may also fall victim to 'rate reduction' firms who lead businesses to
believe that for a fee they will get their business rates reduced on appeal. Sales
persons often give the impression that no fee is payable until a reduction is obtained,
however the small print in the contract requires a fee when an appeal is logged.

Local authorities are required to collect business rates on behalf of central
government. Businesses are revalued and new rates are applied every five years.
Rogue firms deliberately target businesses whose rates have increased and charge
fees of around £500 to make an appeal against the revaluation.

The best advice to businesses is to say ‘no’ to such firms. Their contracts are often
carefully worded and do not match up to verbal promises the salesperson makes.
You will have no automatic right to cancel once you have signed and paid.

Get advice from the local Valuation Office before you agree to anything. Details of
the appeals procedure are included in a revaluation notification and in the notes
accompanying the rates bill from the local authority. Details are also found on the
valuation office website at www.voa.gov.uk and at www.businesslink.gov.uk. But
remember, if you appeal your rates could go up as well as down.

For further information or assistance regarding your rates bill please contact the
Business Rates Section at Leicester City Council on 0116 252 7005; email:
business.rates@leicester.gov.uk or go to the relevant section on this website.

If you need specific advice regarding the scams
tradaing.standards@leicester.gov.uk or call 0116 252 6599

http://www.2010.voa.gov.uk/rli/static/HelpPag ... se_company.html

You are on the FAQs answer page for:

I have been approached by a company who say they will appeal on my behalf – should I use them?

Before employing anyone that has approached you, always check that they are reputable.

You can appeal against your rateable value yourself on our website. This is free of charge. ****F R E E****

You can opt to employ a rating agent instead. If you do, you should check they are reputable before you sign any contract. We recommend that you employ an agent who belongs to one of the professional bodies.

Reputable agents will want to inspect your property and/or see the accounts before they estimate any saving they think they can make for you. A change in the rateable value may not make a difference to the amount you pay.

If you are approached by someone offering to appeal on your behalf be on your guard. There are some disreputable companies who will cold call you – by phone, email or in person – offering you substantial savings on your bill.

Before employing someone who approaches you:

Ask detailed questions about their charges for the service.

Ask if they belong to one of the professional bodies, and check their credentials with the professional body if they name one.

Ask for references and follow them up: they should be able to give you a list of satisfied customers who you can call.

Read thoroughly the terms and conditions they provide.

If someone claims to be from the Valuation Office Agency, ask to see their identification. We normally call in advance if we need to visit your property and always carry our ID. We do not employ companies to work on our behalf.

You may also wish to view our factsheet on getting professional advice (pdf 113kb).

http://www.2010.voa.gov.uk/rli/static/HelpPag ... t_an_agent.html

You are on the FAQs answer page for:

Will I be dealt with more quickly if I instruct an agent?

No, we don't give priority to appeals made by agents. But we do prioritise the most pressing appeals, such as ones involving financial hardship.

We have a customer charter that details our commitment to you and the standard of service you can expect to receive.

I have been coned by IDBC, and paid my money to them.
Every thing they said seemed so plausible, even a man from government came along and re valued the business.
IDBC said it was going to court in December and i would get a full refund on my rates for the past 3 years as they were under the 6k threshold.
I phoned end of December and they said it had gone well and that a result would be given on 22nd February this year. I have herd no more from them.
The paper work they have sent is very professional, i phoned them back several times and all seemed in order.
BUT now im chasing them and there number goes straight to an answer service that you cant leave a number on.
Today i phoned the council direct and they have never dealt with this company, further more they explained if you are getting mandatory and or discretionary relief then you wouldn't even be able to get apply for full rate relief what ever the value.

Well a fool i have been and lesson learnt.
I presume they have moved on or been closed down.

My father has also been av victim to IDBC Ltd, he paid them a cheque for £462.00 they put an appeal regarding non domestic rates rating, but we have not heard anything back from them. I have called and emailed the as stated on their invoice, but had no response. The Rates valuation office dept has confirmed that they made the appeal, but they also have not heard from IDBC Ltd since November 2012.....
COMPLETE SCAM.