ByWhat Happens if You Ignore Debt Collectors in the UK?
"You can run, but you can't hide." You get to appreciate the meaning of this adage when communicating with debt collectors. Whatever you do, ignoring debt collectors is, in all sense, virtually almost impossible.
Even if you direct all debt collection phone calls to voicemail, their relentlessness may drive them to contact you through social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. And even if you ignore their requests to pay your debt online, they may resort to more adverse means like contacting people on your contact list or even filing a collections lawsuit against you.
Debt collection agencies like Advantis Debt Collection, DWP Debt Management, and Moorcroft Debt Recovery are well known for their persistence and ability to recover debts. But to what extent are these methods considered closing the line? Wondering is something you may not wish to think of because of possible harassment. DoNotPay provides the best protection against illegal debt collection methods and how to pursue legal action.
What to Do if Debt Collectors Contact You
Many debt collection agencies in the UK don't have any legal powers different from those of your original creditor to collect a debt from you. In many instances, the most a debt collection agency can do is to contact you in the following ways
- Letter
- Text
- Phone
These agencies may sometimes refer to court action or sound intimidating when contacting you to scare you into making your payments. However, they aren't allowed to mislead or harass you. All debt collection agencies must operate within the Financial Conduct Authority's governing rules.
Still, not taking any action but only wondering may not always be a great idea. For one, they may continue barraging you with repeated phone calls, emails, and letters, which may cause even more stress.
What Happens if You Ignore Debt Collectors in the UK?
Debt collectors aren't bailiffs. Therefore, they don't have any extra-legal authority to pursue outstanding debts if you refuse to pay them. But knowing this shouldn't mean you ignore their calls or avoid communicating with them altogether. Contrastingly, communicating with debt collection agencies can work more in your favour.
This section highlights the top reasons why you should not ignore calls from debt collection agencies:
| Your Credit Will Drop | There's always a good chance your credit score will take a hit when your debt goes into collections. The debt will probably be listed on your credit report and may continue to ding your credit even after you've paid your creditor. However, this is only always temporary, and your credit will get better with time. |
| Friends and Family May Be Contacted | If you continue ignoring debt collectors, some more aggressive debt collection agencies can resort to contacting your family, friends, neighbours, or even your employer. Provident Loans and Amigo Loans have been known to use this method, and while it may seem illegal, some countries allow it. |
| The Debt Owed Could Get Larger | By continuing to ignore a debt collection agent and not repaying your debt, the principal will continue to exist and probably continue to accrue more interest, penalties, and late fees. Some debt collection agencies may even include the expenses they incurred when pursuing your debt. |
| You'll Probably Be Sued | This is probably the worst-case scenario and something nobody wants looming over them. However, if you continue ignoring debt collectors, they may file a collections lawsuit in court, which may escalate to the debt collector garnishing your wages or seizing your property. |
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do
Debt collectors are governed by the Financial Conduct Authority and have certain legal lines they cannot cross when pursuing debt payments. These include:
- Threatening or abusing you
- Speaking to other people about your debt or threatening to do so without your permission
- Misleading you – e.g., making you cover the recovery costs which wasn't in the contract
- Pretending to have legal powers that they don't have
- Adding interests or charges to your debt
- Tricking you into contacting them
- Harassing you – e.g., calling you excessively and at unreasonable times
Get Help From DoNotPay to Deal With Stubborn Debt Collectors
Whether you're ignoring debt collectors or simply don't have the time to communicate back, debt collection agencies are not allowed to harass or bully you in any way. Some agencies like Marston Group Holdings and Lowell Financial may offer you better alternative ways of making payments if you contact them and explain your situation.
However, if you feel a debt collection agent or agency has infringed on your rights, harassed, or tricked you, you may be able to take legal action against them. DoNotPay provides you with the best course of action to file your case. We will contact the debt collectors on your behalf and file a complaint, so you don't have to.
Follow these steps to deal with stubborn debt collection agents and agencies today:
- 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.
DoNotPay will start working on your complaint immediately and make the best case for you.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
Helping you deal with cumbersome debt collection agencies is among the many things DoNotPay can help you with. Here are other services you can also enjoy from our platform:
- Find missing money
- Get help with your bills
- Pay bills online
- File a complaint
- How to increase credit limit
- Get free trials
The DoNotPay app is the perfect online tool to help you file a complaint against those pesky debt collection agencies that infringe on your rights when collecting debts. Join today for more information.