Vodafone Debt Collection – Should You Pay? 

Are you confused about a letter from Vodafone Debt Collection? Are you worrying if it’s real, where it came from, or if you can afford to pay it? You’re not alone. In fact, every month, over 170,000 people visit our website for advice on debt, and nearly half of the individuals who deal with debt collection agencies have experienced harassment or aggression¹.

In this guide, we’ll show you:

•  How to check if the Vodafone debt is really yours.
•  What happens if you don’t pay your Vodafone bill.
•  What to do if you can’t afford to pay your bill.
•  How a debt collection agency works, and what to do if one contacts you.
•  If you can get help to deal with your Vodafone debt.

We know it’s hard to get a debt letter; some of us have been there too. That’s why we’ve created this guide that will help you understand your options and what steps you can take.

What if I don’t pay my bill? 

Many of us have missed a payment on a phone bill from time to time. You might not realise it’s due, or you may have forgotten to transfer money into the right account. In such situations, you’ll usually get a notification that your account is overdue, and you can solve the problem fairly quickly. 

However, if you’ve missed a payment by a long way, your account will usually go into arrears. This could mean that Vodafone cut off your number, meaning you’re unable to use data or make or receive calls. At this stage, it’s not too late to pay your bill with relatively little damage. 

If you still don’t pay your bill, Vodafone will default your account, and your contract will likely be cancelled. This will then usually start the Vodafone debt collection process. This could mean that they pass your debt over to a debt collection agency or even issue a County Court judgement. 

Debt collection agencies buy billions of debt annually at rock bottom prices – at an average of 10p to £1²! And while it’s unlikely that Vodafone will sell your debt to a third party, if they do, the company they sell the debt to will pursue payment tirelessly to make a profit.

What if my bill is wrong? 

Sometimes, you might find that your Vodafone bill is unusually large. It’s easy to just worry about the amount itself rather than look at whether or not the bill is correct.

If you think your bill is unfair or wrong, you should contact Vodafone to get them to check the extra charges. Often, by talking it through, you can come up with a solution that works best for you and the company. 

Of course, if you make a complaint about your bill, Vodafone has to deal with it. However, if they don’t resolve it in a satisfying way, you can contact Ofcom to escalate the issue further. 

I always recommend responding to debt collectors – even just to question the debt’s validity. Remember, you have the right to request proof of the debt. They have to prove it or they can’t charge you.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

What should I do if they contact me?

Although it can be concerning when a debt collection agency contacts you, you don’t need to panic. There are several steps you can take: 

• Check whether what you owe is correct
• Get Vodafone to confirm the debt 
• Check whether the debt is statute-barred
• Try and arrange a repayment plan with Vodafone 

These simple steps can help you avoid a lot of hassle in the long run. Ultimately, you want to settle the matter before court proceedings begin, as this can severely impact your credit rating for the next few years. 

I can’t afford to pay – what should I do?

Don’t worry, there are plenty of solutions.

Of course, the situation I’ve mentioned above is the worst-case scenario. A Vodafone debt collection agency will usually only contact you as a last resort.

If you’re struggling to pay your bill, there are several options you can take. Whether you’re finding it hard to pay your usual monthly payment or additional fees you’ve incurred, the first thing you should do is contact Vodafone.

They even have a dedicated page for those struggling to pay their bill.

Here, there are suggestions for actions both you and they might take: 

Actions you can take

There are several things you can do to reduce your future bills. Many of these focus on reducing any extra charges you might rack up.

For example, instead of using extra data, you can try connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Similarly, you can change your plan so that you have enough calls, texts, and data without getting extra charges. 

Actions they might take

If you’re having a hard time paying your Vodafone bill, they might help you come up with a payment plan.

This means that you pay back smaller amounts on a regular basis until you clear the debt. They may also remove any additional services you don’t need or even change the date of your bill to make things easier. 

Vodafone debt negotiation isn’t too complex – you’re both just trying to find a payment plan that works for you.

Vodafone Customer Support Contact Details

References

1. InDebted, Debt Collectors Survey
2. Jubilee Debt, A Fresh Start After Covid-19