How to Respond to C.A.R.S. Debt Collection?

Like many people, you may have fallen behind on debt payments, or you have an old debt with an outstanding balance. If you are in that situation, you may be hearing from a collection agency, such as or Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions Ltd.

The UK collection industry has grown tremendously in the past five years and is approaching an annual revenue of £2 billion. Debt is easy to acquire and hard to conquer. That's why businesses often use collection agencies to pursue an unpaid debt.

However, sometimes they use tactics that cross the line into harassment. Constant calls, messages, and emails can become terribly stressful. If you also have issues with the following debt collection companies, DoNotPay can assist.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when dealing with debt collectors. That is, afterall, their ultimate goal, hoping you will succumb and pay up. DoNotPay understands how difficult financial troubles can be. Rest assured that we are here to help you take the best course of action and ultimately improve your credit score.

Why Am I Getting Phone Calls From C.A.R.S?

The (Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions Ltd) is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company's reference number is 716456) and they are a member of the Credit Services Association.

Some collection agencies are hired by creditors to collect debts, and others buy old debts from original creditors for a discounted price. C.R.S. does not purchase debts from other organisations. However, they provide a debt collection agency service to clients to recover the money they are owed.

If you are getting calls from C.A.R.S, it is probably because they believe you owe money. The first time any debt collector calls, you should confirm that you do owe the debt in question. Ask the caller for their contact information and request a written validation notice. However, never give the caller any personal information. A legitimate debt collection representative will have the information they need.

How to Contact C.A.R.S. Directly

If you decide to contact C.A.R.S. on your own, be sure to include your reference number in your communication.

By Post	C.A.R.S. PO Box 6520 Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 4UY
By Phone	0333 136 3349 – General Enquiries 0333 136 8282 – Debit and credit card hotline
By Email	admin@carsuk.org
Opening Hours	08:30 AM – 07:00 PM MON, TUE & THUR 08:30 AM – 05:30 PM WED 08:30 AM – 04:00 PM FRI 08:30 AM – 12:30 PM SAT Closed – SUN

What Happens If I Don't Pay My Debt To C.A.R.S.?

You can pay your C.A.R.S. debt online, over the phone or by cheque. They also accept online payments, which Sage Pay secures.

If you ignore the debt collector's attempts to contact you or fail to make scheduled payments, they will not give up and go away. They will continue the attempts. Even if they return the account to their client, the debtor may just turn it over to another debt collection agency or sell the debt to another company.

Meanwhile, the debt will keep growing and will continue to damage your credit score. C.A.R.S. can take you to court to get a judgement for the money owed.

Is C.A.R.S Harassing Me?

Harassment occurs when a debt collector relentlessly pursues you, usually by multiple communications and intrusive actions. Examples of harassment may include:

Constant calls or text messages
Phone calls early in the morning or late at night
Phone calls at times when you specifically told them not to call
Unscheduled home visits, or visits made under false pretences
Coming to your workplace
Disclosing your debts to others

Alternative Ways to Resolve Customer Service Complaints

Alternative debt resolution means that an outside, impartial person attempts to help resolve a dispute with your creditors. This can happen in several ways.

Alternative Dispute Resolutions.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates debt collection practices. They do not take action on individual cases, but their decision can affect the company's authorisation.

Financial Ombudsman Service

A financial Ombudsman, sometimes called Debt Collection Ombudsman, monitors financial industries, including the debt collection industry. For example, a debtor may file a complaint about debt collection harassment with the ombudsman. The ombudsman listens to both sides without bias before making a decision, which usually happens about ten days after making the complaint. You can reach them at:

Address	Exchange Tower, London, E14 9SR
Phone	0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123
Email	complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Small Claims Court

If a debt collection agency has failed to resolve the debt by the usual methods, such as sending demand letters, they can file in small claims court. These courts handle claims for up to £10,000 in England and Wales, under £5,000 in Scotland and under £3,000 in Northern Ireland.

How Long Can Debt Collectors Collect Debt From Me?

The time limit for debt collections is six years in England, and in Scotland, it is generally five years. In some circumstances, it is possible that your debt may be unenforceable after some time. However, the law in regards to unenforceable debt is complex. Therefore, you should not ignore your debt collector in the hope of getting rid of your debt.

How to Get Debt Payment Assistance

You may be able to get help with your debt payment problem by obtaining a Debt Relief Order (DRO). To apply for a DRO, you must:

Owe less than £30,000
Have little spare income
Not own your home

You must apply through an authorised debt advisor. The official receiver, an officer of the bankruptcy court, issues the DRO.

Get Debt Help With DoNotPay!

Are you exhausted and stressed from being pursued by a debt collection agency? DoNotPay can help you figure out whether your debt collector is compliant with debt collection laws. After guiding you through a series of questions, we'll help you determine what course of action you should take, and contact the debt collectors with a demand letter on your behalf.

If you choose to report the collection agency to a governing body instead, we'll file the complaint on your behalf.

Just follow these 3 simple steps:

Search "debt collection" on DoNotPay.
Answer a series of questions about the debt collectors, including when you were contacted and how you were contacted, so we can determine if they have violated any debt collection laws.
Decide which course of action you want to take based on our guidance, such as filing a debt verification request, demanding for the collectors to stop contacting you, or reporting them to a professional trade association.

You decide how to proceed, and DoNotPay will handle the rest. We'll deliver your request directly to the debt collectors via first-class mail, or file your complaint automatically with the relevant trade association or ombudsman.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

Sometimes dealing with the concerns and problems of everyday life seems overwhelming. You don’t have to go through it alone. DoNotPay can help with a wide variety of issues, such as:

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed? DoNotPay is here for you!