Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions Debt (CARS) Guide

Have you received a letter from Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions (CARS), and you’re not sure what to do next? Maybe you’re feeling a bit worried and confused about where the debt has come from. Don’t worry; you’re in the right place to get some answers.

Every month, over 170,000 people come to our website to get help with matters just like this one, as research shows 64% of UK adults find interactions with current debt collectors stressful¹.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll cover:

• Who Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions are and why they might be contacting you.
• How you can check if the debt they’re asking about is really yours.
• What you can do if you can’t afford to pay.
• Steps to stop CARS from contacting you in the future.
• Ways you might be able to write off some of the debt.

Let’s dive in!

What should you do about C.A.R.S letters?

Now that we know a little about who Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions Ltd are, let’s consider what you should do if they write to you:

Should I ignore them?

In short, no. If you’ve ever received a debt recover letter in the past, you’ll know that your first reaction may well be to just throw it in the bin.

After all, debt collection agencies have no more powers than the original creditor, right? Although it’s true that they don’t, at least at first, you still shouldn’t ignore a letter from CARS.

Ignoring them isn’t going to make them go away or stop chasing you. They will persist in trying to get hold of you, and may even up their efforts to try and secure the money.

Plus, if they’ve purchased the debt themselves, you can guarantee they’ll do everything they can do recover it.

It can be a long and unpleasant road if you ignore them. Your best bet is to address the situation and find a solution that works for you.

In general, 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.

Should I pay?

Only if the debt is yours and if you can. Companies like this rely on the fear factor. They assume that a vaguely threatening letter will scare people into paying the money outlined in the letter. But is this your best course of action?

It depends a little bit on the situation. For example, if you had simply forgotten that you owed the money but can afford to repay it, you may want to pay the original creditor. But if you think the amount is wrong or not owed by you at all, then you shouldn’t pay right away. You need to investigate further and take other steps.

Research shows that the average unsecured debt has increased by 25% year-on-year, rising to £13,941², and it wouldn’t be surprising if a large chunk of that number comes from wrongfully collected debts.

Can I stop them from contacting me?

Sort of. It can be annoying being chased by debt collection agencies, particularly if you know you don’t owe the money. It is possible to minimise the contact you have with them, although ignoring them won’t help with matters.

These types of companies fall under FCA regulation. As such, if you specify a contact preference, such as only via mail, they have to respect that choice. Similarly, if you challenge the debt, they can’t keep contacting you until there is a resolution. Ultimately, you’ll have to respond to either the original creditor or Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions directly to get them to stop contacting you.

We understand what it’s like to get letters from debt collectors. Some of us here at MoneyNerd have been in your shoes, so we know how you’re feeling right now. We’re here to help you figure out your next steps and make the best decisions for your situation.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

What are your legal rights?

It’s often unpleasant having to deal with companies like CARS. However, you do have certain rights when it comes to dealing with them. It’s worth knowing these before you start the conversation with them. Take a quick look at the table below to better understand your rights and those of the debt collectors contacting you.

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.

Can they visit my home?

Yes, they can visit your home. However, their powers here are limited, and there are some restrictions. For example, if they plan on visiting your home, they have to give you at least seven days’ written notice.

Once they’re at your residence, they have no more powers than the original creditor. So, they can’t force their way onto your property or seize your possessions. All they can do is ask you to pay back what you owe.

However, it’s worth noting that if things do escalate, the bailiffs might be called in. These people do have a lot more power, and so it’s best avoided.

Can I stop home visits?

Similar to dealing with CARS on the phone, you can stop them from visiting you. However, to do so, you’ll have to contact them and start to come up with a solution.

If you challenge the debt, agree to pay, or arrange a repayment schedule, you’ll stop home visits from them. Again, this involves having to deal with them either in writing or on the phone.

What rights do I have?

When it comes to your rights, the FCA regulations bring you certain protections. We’ve already mentioned contact preferences, but there are other rules they have to abide by, including:

• They can’t harass you. This means they can’t threaten you, call you at unreasonable times, or try and force you to take out another loan to pay them back.
• They can’t try and trick you. They’re not allowed to pretend they have powers they don’t. Similarly, they can’t send documents that look like they’re court-issued when they’re not.
• They can’t breach your privacy. They cannot contact anyone else about your debt, such as your relatives, friends, or work colleagues.

It’s worth knowing these rights because if they breach them, you’re allowed to complain. As well as their own complaints page, the Financial Ombudsman Service can provide arbitration with any issues you have.

What steps can they take?

So, now that you know some of the things they can’t do, it’s time to look at some of the options they have when it comes to recovering the money you owe.

Can they take me to court?

Yes. They can apply to the courts to issue a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against you. This is essentially a legal demand that you repay the money.

A CCJ can be disastrous for your credit file, showing on there for years and impacting your ability to borrow money. What’s more, they can escalate things further to petition for bankruptcy against you.

These instances are rare, but not unheard of. In the most extreme circumstances, if you owe money and refuse to pay, you could receive a few months’ jail sentence. 

Are they bailiffs?

No. Although debt collection agencies aren’t bailiffs, they can appeal to the court to have them sent round. Bailiffs are able to enter your property and seize your possessions to cover the cost of the debt. This includes things like vehicles, cash, and valuables.

Again, they only tend to use this method in the most extreme circumstances. So, if you deal with things early on, you can usually avoid this outcome.

How to stop debt letters

You can stop debt letters from Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions by getting your information organised and ready, contacting them, arranging payment or looking into other debt options. We go through this below:

Get your info ready

First, you’ll want to get your own details and paperwork in order. Whether you intend to contest the debt or not, it’s worth double-checking everything to make sure you’re not overpaying.

Start by collecting all the paperwork you find related to the debt. This includes things like bank statements, receipts, and service agreements. They can provide valuable clues about the debt and whether you can write-off Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions.

Contact them

Once you know where you stand, it’s time to reach out to either the original creditor or the debt collection agency. The first thing you should do is ask them to prove that you owe the debt. Search for a ‘prove the debt letter’ online and send it to them. If they can’t prove you owe the debt, they can’t legally enforce it.

Arrange a payment

If you do owe the debt and they can prove so, you’ll most likely need to pay it. If you have the funds available, you might want to clear the whole amount at once and move on with things. However, if things are tight, you can propose a repayment schedule. Although they don’t legally have to accept this, the chances are that they will.

Creditlink Account Recovery Solutions Contact Information

Post:	C.A.R.S. PO Box 6520, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4UY
Phone:	0333 136 3349 – General Enquiries 0333 136 8282 – Debit and credit card hotline
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	https://www.carsuk.org/
Opening Hours:	08:30 AM – 07:00 PM  MON, TUE & THUR 08:30 AM – 05:30 PM WED 08:30 AM – 04:00 PM  FRI 08:30 AM – 12:30 PM  SAT Closed – SUN

Look at other debt options

If you’re really struggling to repay the money, you should look into other options to help you with your debt. This can include things like an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), debt consolidation loan, or debt arrangement scheme.

With each of these options, you can minimise how much you pay back each month. Each is worth looking into depending on your financial situation.

References

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