CLI International Debt Collectors – Should You Pay?

Receiving a surprising letter from CLI International Debt Collectors can be a bit scary. But don’t worry; you are not alone in this. Over 170,000 people visit our website each month for advice on debt problems.

In this article, we will help you understand:

•  Who CLI International Debt Collectors are, and if they are a real company
•  Why they might be contacting you
•  What to do if they get in touch with you
•  If they can chase you for foreign debts
•  What to do if you can’t afford to pay

Unfortunately, nearly half of the people who deal with debt collection agencies have experienced harassment or aggression¹. Some of our team members have been there too.

We understand how you feel and are here to guide you through this process. Let’s dive in!

Why are Credit Limits International Debt Collectors getting in touch with you?

Credit Limits International Debt Collectors could be contacting you for a wide variety of different reasons.

Debt collection companies often collect debts for a wide range of different clients. They buy billions of debt annually at rock bottom prices – at an average of 10p to £1! ²

Other companies will involve debt collection companies such as CLI International Debt Collectors to reclaim any outstanding payments.

In their initial correspondence, they will specify exactly who they are collecting the debt on behalf of.

What should you do if CLI Collectors get in touch?

It can be a cause of distress and worry if you get a letter saying that you owe money that you didn’t think you owed.

You may not think you actually owe the money in the first place.

It is very rare that companies like CLI International Debt Collectors send out these letters in error, so more often than not, you will owe the money that they say you owe. 

But don’t worry, below you’ll find what you can do if they get in touch.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Check the details

When you get your letter from CLI International Debt Collectors, it is likely that they will have the necessary details of the original company which you owe the debt.

Make sure you cross-reference this with any information you can find to ensure that the debt is correct.

In the instance where you might be confused as you actually do owe the debt, you can request a ‘Prove the Debt’ letter from them. 

If your debt is old, it may be statute-barred.

If it has been 6 years – or 5 years in Scotland – since you last paid towards your unsecured debts and you have not written to your creditor about your debt during this time, it is statute-barred.

This means that the debt is not enforceable.

It still technically exists, and you still technically owe the money, but there is no legal way for you to be forced to pay or for the debt to be enforced.

Keep in mind that not all debts become statute-barred! Any HMRC debts, for example, will stay enforceable for decades. Any debt that had a County Court Judgement (CCJ) attached to it during the 5 or 6-year window it will be enforceable for the duration of the CCJ.

Remember that UK debt laws have been set up to protect you as much as possible!

Take notes

As you go down the process of paying back CLI International Debt Collectors, it’s worthwhile taking notes of everything you do.

Put down the dates of each letter, and if you end up having a phone call with them, take down the names of the people you speak to.

This will help you further down the line if they accuse you of discrepancies. 

Know Your Rights With Debt Collectors

If you’ve been contacted by CLI International Debt Collectors or any other debt collection company, it’s crucial to understand your rights to prevent unfair treatment.

Janine, our financial expert, explained that while debt collectors can visit your home for payments, they cannot come to your workplace, act threateningly, force payment, or discuss your finances with others.

If they violate these rules, you can complain.

Here’s a quick table that will help you better understand what debt collectors can and can’t do. If you want to learn more about your rights or require further advice, make sure to check out our detailed guide.

Debt Collectors Can	But They Can’t
Contact you by phone or mail.	Call you after 9pm or before 8am.
Conduct home visits (on rare occasions) and knock on your door.	Forbily enter your home, or stay if you ask them to leave.
Threaten to take you to court by suing you for payment on a debt.	Harrass you, including threats of violence, repeated calls and visits, or abusive language.
Negotiate a debt settlement. Tip: make sure to get this new arrangement in writing.	Visit your workplace.
Access your bank account, but only after a court judgment has been made.	Take anything from your home or threaten to do so.
Sell your debt.	Speak to other people about your debt without your permission.
Contact you frequently.	Keep doing so if you request that they reduce communications.

Paying up

If you know for sure that the debt is yours and you are able to pay it, you should settle it as quickly as you can.

The sooner you do this, the sooner their letters and phone calls will stop. If you can’t afford it, you may be able to negotiate a repayment scheme where you pay monthly instalments.

What If You Can’t Afford to Pay?

If CLI have proved that you owe the debt, but you can’t afford to pay, you may need to consider a debt solution.

There are several debt solutions available in the UK, so we recommend speaking to a debt charity to get some free advice before you start one.

Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and be able to work out what solution will suit your finances best.

They may also offer financial literacy and debt management services to help you get back in control of your finances.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is an informal debt solution that lets you pay off your debts via a single monthly payment.

Because it is informal, it is not legally binding so you are not tied into a DMP for a minimum number of payments.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal agreement between you and your creditors. You agree to pay a monthly sum that is distributed amongst your debts, and your creditors agree not to contact you during your IVA.

IVAs typically last for 5 or 6 years, and any outstanding debt is wiped off when it ends.

Keep in mind that IVAs are not suitable for everyone. You need to owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor to be eligible. You also need to demonstrate that you have some disposable income every month.

Trust Deed

IVAs are not available in Scotland. Instead, you will need to opt for a Trust Deed.

Trust Deeds work in the same way as an IVA – you pay an agreed sum each month that is shared amongst your creditors, they can’t contact you, and any leftover debt at the end of your Trust Deed term is written off.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO is a good option for those facing financial hardship with no assets and little income.

For 12 months, you make no payments, but your creditors freeze your interest and don’t contact you.

If your finances haven’t improved during this year, you may be able to write off your unsecured debts.

Bankruptcy

If you have debts but no realistic possibility of ever paying them off, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy has an unfair stigma attached to it as it may be your only way of getting a financial fresh start. That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly.

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy.If you have little income and no valuable assets, you may be able to apply for a minimal asset process bankruptcy (MAP). A MAP is a quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward version of sequestration, so worth considering.

Will Debt Affect Your Credit?

Your credit might be affected by CLI, but your credit report will already be marked by your missed payments with your original creditor.

Keep in mind that any debt solutions that you opt for will also be noted on your credit report.

This can have an impact on your ability to get credit as you will be flagged as a ‘high-risk’ customer – someone who is likely to have issues paying back what they owe.

Debt solutions are visible on your credit file for 6 years. After this time, it’ll no longer be visible and you will probably find it easier to get credit!

Can They Chase You For Foreign Debts?

If CLI can prove that you are liable for the debt, they can chase you for it no matter where you are in the world.

Take this example.

If you aren’t sure if you owe money for international debts, you should speak to a debt charity.

They will be able to give you specific advice, depending on what your debt is for and where it is in the debt collection process.

Credit Limit International Contact Details

Address:	14 Shunters Close, Faversham, ME13 8GF
Post:	PO Box 267, Faversham, ME13 3AX
Telephone:	+44 (0) 1795 594 570
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	https://www.creditlimitsinternational.com/

Here, we will answer some of the more common questions when it comes to dealing with debt collection companies like CLI International Debt Collectors.

References

1. Indebted Debt Collection Survey
2. Jubilee Debt Campaign