Reporting travai noir and theft of my van

[jack9]

A so called friend of mine living in the Lot and Garonne region has basically stolen my van (I still have the reg docs), dont know if he has insured it (am i liable in an accident?) and been working doing work there travai noir unregistered. What can I do to get my van back and does any one have the anonymous URSAAF no please.

[Tony F Dordogne]

For goodness sake, go to the local Gendarme brigade office and report the vehicle as stolen and from there, everything will fall into place.

[jack9]

Can't because I am in UK. Also just tried phoning USSAF but would'nt listen, said there was no such thing a phoning anonymously

[Russethouse]

What are you worried about - they're really not much of a friend if they have really stolen your van!

[Pickles]

You can use the following service to create a letter to lodge an accusation from the UK or France:

http://www.porterplainteenligne.fr/

You can use the online RAR service from La Poste to print it off and send it.

https://lettreenligne.laposte.fr/lregp/accueil.action

Is the van insured in your name? You might want to inform your insurance company.

Unless you lodge a complaint, you will potentially be liable for any driving/parking offences committed by your vehicle until you have officially informed the gendarmes of the theft.

If you want to contact the various departments concerned with working on the black, then try the following:

• les IMPOTS, 
  il faut vous adresser aux Inspecteurs de la Direction des
  Services Fiscaux du département de l'employeur, vous trouverez
  les adresses sur la page du site Web suivant :
  http://www.impots.gouv.fr

• l'URSAFF, 
  il faut vous adresser aux Inspecteurs de l'URSAFF de la ville de
  l'employeur, vous trouverez les adresses sur le site Web suivant
  :
  http://www.urssaf.fr/

• l'INSPECTION DU TRAVAIL, 
  Il faut vous adresser aux Inspecteurs du Travail de la ville de
  l'employeur, vous trouverez ces adresses sur le site Web suivant
  :
  http://www.travail.gouv.fr/services/

• La PREFETURE,
  Il vous faut vous adresser à Monsieur le Préfet, vous
  trouverez les adresses sur le site Web suivant :
  http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/rubriques/c/c4_les_prefectures/

• le MINISTÈRE DU TRAVAIL,
  Il vous faut vous adresser au chef de cabinet du Ministre du
  travail, vous trouverez l'adresse sur le site Web suivant :
  http://www.travail.gouv.fr/mailus/index.html

Regards

Pickles

[Tony F Dordogne]

[quote user="jack9"]Can't because I am in UK. Also just tried phoning USSAF but would'nt listen, said there was no such thing a phoning anonymously[/quote]

That's true, even reporting animal cruelty cannot be done anonymously round here.

Is the car on French or British plates?  If it's on Brit plates, report it to your local constabulary but if it's on French plates you have no option but to report it to the French authorities.  If French isn't your strong point, have a word with the Consular Office in Bordeaux which covers 47, they may well be able to help you.

Just as a matter of interest, how did your friend actually get the van because that may have some bearing on the best way to proceed with this issue? 

[Chancer]

Friends sort out their differences without resorting to denonciation but if you are determined this should help: http://have-it.com/denonciation/pages/astuces/travail_au_noir.html

Why do you want to do it anonymously? Surely he will know it is as a result of upsetting you?

[just john]

Just a thought, if you were to report travai noir and later you were connected to an incident of this nature, for some reason, it might be wise to explore firstly what penalty might be given to someone employing someone of this nature[;-)]

[Clarkkent]

In association with the Gendarmerie Nationale, the Kent Police Force has produced a comprehensive online package to enable British people to report crimes and criminal activity. It can be found at:

www.kent.police.uk/home.html

Go to Advice & Information and then Travelling Abroad.

 

[gosub]

Your link seems to be broken.

Try this one

http://www.kent.police.uk/Advice/Travelling%20abroad/Reporting%20a%20crime%20in%20France/Reporting%20a%20crime%20in.html

[dave21478]

For the sake of a few quid on a ryanair return ticket I would very strongly suggest going over and confronting the chap face to face and if he wont see reason, then report the crime locally.

Surely your van, your insurance bonus and your local reputation is worth more to you than the cost of the trip and a few days of your time?

[AnOther]

Dave's advice is sound and is probably what I'd do in your position but I think we possibly need to know a few more of the details of the van before advising the best course of action.

Is it French or UK registered and what about any insurance you have for it for instance.

If it's French registered then normally you have to keep it insured even whilst laid up. If you've been a naughty boy and been using it on UK plates and insurance then it's likely to be invalid, either way as the vehicle owner it puts you in jeopardy.