UK Debt Collection Companies how to deal with them
Debt Collection Companies in the UK often use bullying tactics and a persons ignorance of the law to try and claim a debt that is no longer enforceable by law.
If you receive a call or a letter from a debt collection company stating that you owe money for a debt then you need to know the law relating to outstanding debts. If the debt is over six years old and you have not made any payments or received any acknowledgement of the debt then according to the Limitation Act 1980 the debt is statute barred.
Once it has been determined that the debt is statute barred then you must not contact the Debt Collection Agencies and acknowledge the debt. If you do acknowledge the debt then it becomes live again. If you receive a telephone call, which you will probably receive many, refuse to divulge any information. Do not even acknowledge your name if they ask who they are speaking to. All you need to do is say to them that any correspondence with them will be made in writing.
Once this has been done then a letter needs to be drafted and sent with a postal order for £1 which is a statutory fee asking that they provide you with details of the debt. You will need to give the debt collection company 14 working days to respond to this letter, if they do not then they cannot proceed further.
If you receive a copy of the debt details then you need to send a second letter stating that the debt is statute barred as no payments or acknowledgement of the debt has been made. This letter should be enough to for the Debt Collection company to respond to you in writing stating that the debt is now closed and no further action will be taken.
To get a free copy of each letter that you will need click on the links below
