The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has a strict protocol when it comes to debt collection. For example, the rules put in place by the FCA state that any debt collector cannot unlawfully pressure you into paying a debt.
If debt collection companies fail to retrieve the full amount from you without question, they may use a variety of tactics to get you to pay up:
Claiming the debt is in the hands of the court and that it needs to be paid immediately. Debt collection companies do not always have the same legal powers as bailiffs, so it’s always important to check the legitimacy of a claim first.
Contacting members of your family/work colleagues (or threatening to); debt collection companies are not allowed to do this.
Constant phone calls at unreasonable times, when legally they can only contact you between 8am and 9pm.
Posting you documents that look like official court claims, when in reality they are just standard letters that hold no legal weight whatsoever.
Claiming that the debt must be paid immediately, and that there’s no time to consult debt advice companies such as ourselves.
Offer them £5 a week and if they get shirty, tell them you will refer them to the FCA
