Advanced Collection Systems – What You Need to Know

Are you feeling worried about a letter from Advanced Collection Systems? You’re in the right place to get help. Each month, over 170,000 people come to our website for advice on situations just like this one.

In this article, we will help you understand:

•  Who Advanced Collection Systems are.
•  How to check if the debt they say you owe is real.
•  What to do if you can’t afford to pay.
•  Ways to deal with Advanced Collection Systems.
•  How to get help if you’re struggling with debt.

We know that getting a letter about debt can be scary and confusing. You might not know where this debt has come from or if you should pay it. Our team has been in your shoes, so we understand how you feel. 

Ready to learn more about Advanced Collection Systems and how to deal with them? Let’s get started!

How do I Verify Advanced Collection Systems Debt?

If you have received debt letters from Advanced Collection Systems but aren’t sure if they’re legit, what do you do?

From my experience, the best thing to do is ask for proof that the debt is yours. I have a free ‘prove it’ letter template that you can use to help you write to Advanced Collection Systems and request evidence that you are liable for the debt that they are chasing.

It is crucial that you respond to legitimate debt collectors quickly. Responding quickly will help you avoid any extra charges or fees. Not ignoring debt collectors also means that you are less likely to face legal action, such as a CCJ.

Keep in mind that you are under no obligation to pay for a debt that can’t be proven to be yours. Take a look at this example.

This forum user’s debt collectors are being cheeky! They are under no obligation to pay for anything because there is no evidence that the debt is the user’s. Therefore, they don’t need to pay.

Do you have to pay Advanced Collection Systems?

Not ignoring Advanced Collection Systems doesn’t necessarily mean paying them either. There are some ways to reply to their Letter Before Action which stop them from taking legal action in the near future and could stop you from having to pay the apparent debt. 

Learn the best ways to reply to Advanced Collection Systems below!

Can you ignore Advanced Collection Systems?

You shouldn’t ignore Advanced Collection Systems or any other debt collection agency, even when you think they’ve made a mistake or have sent the letter to the wrong address. This is due to the possibility of legal action.

It’s true that some people ignore debt collection groups and get away with it. But it’s not worth the risk. 

Check if the debt is even enforceable

The first thing you should do is check that the debt they’re chasing is still enforceable. By this we mean can the company you owe still take you to court over the matter. Many debts – but not all types – cannot be subject to litigation when they’re five or six years old depending on your location. 

You should check to see if your Advanced Collection Systems debt is “statute-barred” and let them know if it’s not. When it’s no longer enforceable you can never be forced to pay or face the likes of bailiffs. 

Advanced Collection Systems reviews

Advanced Collection Systems reviews online suggest that the company will frequently contact you for payment and will charge unfair fees. Here are some examples of their reviews:

“They buy the debt from large utility companies then hound you for payments, quickly adding large late payment charges to your account (this isn’t the utility companies driving that, but themselves). Remember, when they contact you, they now own the debt you owe and not the utility company.”

• James W (Google review)

“Started to pay a debt with this company, had a letter stating an amount all payments came out and then they took another payment and when challenged I was told this was an admin payment that wasn’t even stated on the letter, this is very bad and possibly illegal which I will be checking out.” 

• Paul H (Google review)

If you feel like you’re being harassed by Advanced Collection Systems, you can send them your communication preferences and complain. If things don’t improve, you can take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). 

How does Advanced Collection Systems recover debts?

Advanced Collection Systems will recover debts by frequently contacting you and asking for payment. This method is designed to wear you down so you give up and hand over the money. They may encourage you to get in touch to discuss a payment plan if you can’t afford the full amount. 

One of the most important communications you’ll receive from Advanced Collection Systems is a Letter Before Action. This letter requests you to pay the money or potentially face legal proceedings, which could increase the cost of the debt should you lose in court. 

Will Advanced Collection Systems take me to court?

Advanced Collection Systems don’t take you to court themselves unless they own the debt. If they’re chasing the debt for someone else, their client could take you to court if they want to. If you were to lose in court or not defend yourself (resulting in a CCJ) then you’d become legally obligated to pay.

Not paying after a court order has been issued would then allow Advanced Collection Systems or their client to use debt enforcement action. This could be one of many methods to force you into paying, such as bailiffs. 

But there is also a chance that any legal threats are just threats. Some debt collection groups will always threaten legal action so you feel intimidated and worried. You’re more likely to pay when you think you’re going to be taken to court. 

Can I Get a Debt Solution?

You might be able to deal with your unsecured debts, and get Advanced Collection Systmes off your back, by starting a debt solution.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so I recommend speaking to a debt charity as soon as possible. Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and help you work out which debt solution will work best for you.

I have linked a few charities that offer these advisory services for free below.

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.

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Staying On Top Of Your Debts

One of the hardest parts about being in debt is that the industry isn’t at all transparent.

One common tactic used by Debt Collectors is contacting you under multiple names and addresses.

Sometimes, it’s for practical reasons, but even then it can be confusing and intimidating. So it’s important to try to keep a level head and research what’s going on. 

Some of the biggest debt collectors in the UK operate under multiple names. 

• Robinson Way will sometimes contact you under the name Hoist Finance. 
• Cabot Financial Group recently bought Wescot Credit Services
• Credit Style communicate as both Credit Style and CST Law. 
• Lowell Financial also owns Overdales and collects debts under both names. 

In fact, in the case of PRA Group, they’ve been known to use multiple company names. As you can see in the image below.

If you’ve been contacted by a debt collector recently, it’s worth going through your post and emails to check that you haven’t missed anything, just in case they’ve started writing to you under a different name.

How do I Make a Complaint Against Advanced Collection Systems?

If you think that Advanced Collection Systems has been unreasonable or behaved inappropriately, you can make a complaint. You can also make a complaint if you feel that they have broken any of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) guidelines.

Make your first complaint to Advanced Collection Systems so that they have the chance to sort out the issue themselves. If you feel that they have not taken your complaint seriously enough or have not addressed your issue properly, you can escalate matters.

You can make any secondary complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). They will investigate and, if your complaint is upheld, Advanced Collection Systems may be fined. You could even be owed compensation.

Advanced Collection Systems Contact Details