UK Search Limited – Should You Pay?

Have you received a surprise letter from UK Search Limited? You may be feeling confused and concerned.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Every month, more than 170,000 people come to our website seeking advice on debt problems.

In this easy-to-understand article, we’ll talk about:

•  Finding out if the debt is really yours.
•  If you can ignore UK Search Limited or say no to them.
•  How to stop UK Search Limited from troubling you too much.
•  Ways to plan your payments or even get rid of your debt.

Nearly half of people chased by debt collection agencies report experiencing harassment or aggression¹, and even our team knows what it’s like to be chased by debt collectors.

It can be scary, but we’re here to help you deal with UK Search Limited. Let’s get started!

Have you received a UKSL debt letter?

UKSL might call you, send messages and leave aggressive voicemails, but they will prioritise sending you a Letter Before Action (LBA) if they have your address.

An LBA is a letter that demands payment for a debt by a deadline or threatens you with court action. These letters must be sent before a company (UKSL’s client) can take you to court. 

Sometimes the threat of court action is real, and you might face legal action if you don’t pay. But they are also used to scare you into paying, which can be a highly successful tactic by any debt collection agency. 

There is no way of knowing for sure whether their legal threats are real or empty – but there is something else you can do.

What to do when you receive a letter

Don’t ignore a UKSL letter, even if you think there has been a mistake, such as mistaken identity.

Instead, you should ask for proof that you owe the debt. This will help UKSL realise they’ve made a mistake if one has been made. 

UK Search Limited is obligated to prove you owe the money before you have to pay. This doesn’t just mean saying you owe it because a company said so. It means providing you with a copy of the credit agreement or other contract you haven’t stuck to, signed by you.

Unless they provide this you don’t have to pay.

And if you are taken to court, you can show the judge that you asked for proof and it wasn’t provided. This can help you win in court because UKSL hasn’t followed the strict procedure. 

MoneyNerd has made it easier than ever for you to ask UKSL for proof you actually owe the money. Download our free letter template now!

Should you pay if they proved it?

If UKSL proves the debt by sending you adequate evidence then you should probably pay.

If you’re struggling to pay the full amount, they will be willing to set up a payment plan.

If you ignore their letters after they provide proof you owe the debt, they could take you to court. There’s no way of knowing exactly what they will do. But it’s a risk to assume they’ll just give up. 

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

What if you can’t pay?

Stepchange reports a 25% year-on-year rise in average unsecured debt, reaching £13,941 in 2022², so it’s common to struggle with debt.

If that’s your case and you can’t afford UK Search’s payment plan, you could consider a debt solution.

There are several options for debt relief in the UK, so you will need to get some financial advice to find out which one will work best for you.

We have linked some charities at the bottom of this page that offer these debt counselling services for free.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is the only informal debt solution available. This means that it is not legally binding so you are not tied into the agreement for a minimum term or number of payments.

During a DMP, you make a single monthly payment that is distributed amongst your creditors. Usually, a DMP is in place until all of your debts are paid off.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or Trust Deed

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

A typical IVA will last 5 or 6 years, and at the end, any remaining debts are written off.

Keep in mind that IVAs are not suitable for everyone. You must owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor and have some disposable income available.

You will need to look into a Trust Deed in Scotland, as IVAs are unavailable. They work in the same way as an IVA.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO is a debt solution designed for people with few or no assets and a limited income.

For 12 months, you don’t make any payments towards your debts. Your creditors can’t contact you during this time, and they must also freeze any interest on your debts.

Your finances will then be reassessed and unless your situation has improved, you may be able to have your outstanding debts written off.

Bankruptcy or Sequestration

Bankruptcy, or sequestration in Scotland, may be your final option if you have debts but no realistic way of paying them off.

There is a negative association with bankruptcy, but it could be your only way of getting a financial fresh start.

If you are in Scotland, you may be eligible for a minimal asset process bankruptcy (MAP). A MAP is quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward than sequestration and is for those with few assets and limited income.

Can debt collectors come to your house?

Debt collectors are not the same as enforcement officers, who are also known as bailiffs.

They have no right to come to your home and cannot threaten to take away your items. If they do this, you should report them immediately. 

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

Debt Collectors vs Bailiffs

Since debt collectors and bailiffs are not the same, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of each one’s rights so no one takes advantage of you.

Here’s what debt collectors and bailiffs can and can’t do.  If you’d like to learn more about your rights when dealing with debt collectors, make sure to check out our detailed guide.

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Can I Complain About Search Ltd?

If you think that your debt collector has behaved inappropriately or broken any of the FCA’s rules and guidance, you can make a complaint against UK Search Limited.

First, make your complaint directly to UK Search so they have the opportunity to deal with the issue themselves. If you feel that they have not dealt with the matter appropriately, you can escalate matters to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

They will investigate your complaint and if it is upheld, Search Ltd may be fined, and you could be owed some compensation.

UK Search Limited Contact Details

References

1. InDebted Debt Collectors Survey.
2. StepChange, Statistics Yearbook, December 2022.