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Advantis Credit Debt Collection – Should You Pay?

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Scott
Scott Nelson Profile Picture

Scott Nelson

Managing Director

MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.

Learn more about Scott
&
Janine
Janine Marsh Profile Picture

Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.

Learn more about Janine
· Feb 27th, 2024
Could you legally write off some debt? Answer below to get started.

Total amount of debt?

This isn’t a full fact find, MoneyNerd doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options.

For free & impartial money advice you can visit MoneyHelper. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options. This isn’t a full fact-find, some debt solutions may not be suitable in all circumstances, ongoing fees might apply & your credit rating may be affected.

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Advantis Credit Debt Collection

For free & impartial money advice you can visit MoneyHelper. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options. This isn’t a full fact-find, some debt solutions may not be suitable in all circumstances, ongoing fees might apply & your credit rating may be affected.

Are you holding a letter from Advantis Credit Debt Collection and feeling worried? You’re not alone. Each month, over 170,000 people visit this site for help with debt questions.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

  •  Why Advantis Credit Ltd might be getting in touch with you.
  •  Steps to take, such as asking Advantis for proof of your debt.
  •  The laws that control how Advantis operate.
  •  Ways to cope if Advantis are making things hard for you.

Research shows that 64% of people in the UK feel stressed when dealing with debt collectors,1 and some of us have even been through it too.

We understand how you feel and we’re here to help you find the best way forward.

Could you legally write off some debt?

There are several debt solutions in the UK, choosing the right one for you could write off some of your unaffordable debt, but the wrong one may be expensive and drawn out.

Answer below to get started.

How much debt do you have?

This isn’t a full fact find. MoneyNerd doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options.

Why is Advantis Credit Ltd Contacting You?

Any communication from Advantis Debt Collection Agency means that their client claims you owe money to them.

They will be sending you a payment request and possibly threatening legal action.

Advantis Credit typically sends a letter, but they could contact you with a text message, email, or phone call as well. Whatever communication methods they use, do not put your head in the sand. It will only make things worse. 

Keep in mind that it’s possible that Advantis Credit made a mistake because of a similar name or the real debtor used to live at your property. They could also be chasing you on the off chance that you’ll pay without checking to see if the debt is enforceable.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Start by Requesting Proof from Advantis!

A debt does not need to be paid until the company proves you owe the money. Debt verification is a very important step that, in our experience, too many people skip!

If Advantis Credit has asked you to pay a debt without showing proof that you owe it, the best thing to do is request it.

A copy of the original agreement is typically what is sent as proof that you owe the debt. You can use our free letter template to write to Advantis and ask for evidence.

This can be useful even if you know about the debt.

It can get you some extra thinking time, and of course, if they can’t provide proof there is no obligation to pay your debts.

How a debt solution could help

Some debt solutions can:

  1. Stop nasty calls from creditors
  2. Freeze interest and charges
  3. Reduce your monthly payments

A few debt solutions can even result in writing off some of your debt.

Here’s an example:


Situation

Monthly income £2,504
Monthly expenses £2,345
Total debt £32,049

Monthly debt repayments

Before £587
After £158

£429 reduction in monthly payments

If you want to learn what debt solutions are available to you, click the button below to get started.

Get Started

Advantis scam

We’ve recently been made aware that Advantis customers are being targeted by a scam using the Advantis name.

It’s important to ignore any approaches made by these scammers.

If you receive an email from the domain name advantiscredit.org then be aware this is NOT Advantis. It is a scam email so do not respond to their emails.

Paying Advantis Debt Collection

Fortunately, making a payment to Advantis is very straightforward.

The easiest way to do that is online. If you go to the Advantis website there’s a make a payment section

You will need your Advantis reference number which you can get from the letters they have sent to you.

Thousands have already tackled their debt

Every day our partners, The Debt Advice Service, help people find out whether they can lower their repayments and finally tackle or write off some of their debt.

Natasha

I’d recommend this firm to anyone struggling with debt – my mind has been put to rest, all is getting sorted.

Get started

Reviews shown are for The Debt Advice Service.

How a Debt Collection Agency Can Make Life Difficult

Some debt collection agencies will bend the rules even when regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority because they think they will get away with it. 

In fact, StepChange found that two-thirds of people in debt have experienced some level of bad practice from a debt collector in the last two years2.

Even if you took out credit that you have failed to pay back, you shouldn’t be treated wrongfully.

Research discovered that 50% of people in debt will have suicidal thoughts because of the methods used to chase them for payment. It is no surprise that people in debt suffer from mental health problems when they are being chased in such a threatening way by some companies. 

Writing Off Advantis Credit Ltd Debt

There are a few different debt solutions that you may be able to use to write off some of your unsecured debts.

If you are considering a debt solution, we recommend that you speak to a debt charity for some financial advice.

Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA)

An IVA is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors. You make one monthly payment and this is distributed out amongst your creditors. An IVA typically lasts for 5 or 6 years and, at the end of your IVA, any outstanding debts are written off.

Your creditors are prohibited from contacting you for the duration of your IVA.

IVAs are a great option for people who owe several thousand pounds to two or more creditors. Keep in mind that these requirements and the fees associated with an IVA mean that it is not the best option for some people.

Trust Deed

If you live in Scotland, an IVA is unavailable and you will need to opt for a Trust Deed.

Trust deeds are pretty much identical to an IVA, the only key difference is geography!

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

If you have very little disposable income and own no assets of significant value, you may qualify for a DRO.

Once your DRO application is approved, your creditors can’t contact you for 12 months, your interest freezes, and you don’t make any payments towards your debts. After a year, your financial situation is assessed and if you are still in financial difficulty any outstanding debts are written off.

Bankruptcy

If you have no way of ever paying back your debts, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy can have a negative image but it is often the only way that people with debts can get a financial head start.

That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly!

Sequestration

Those in Scotland will need to apply for sequestration rather than bankruptcy.

If you owe a little debt but have a low income, you may qualify for a minimal asset process (MAP). This is cheaper than full sequestration and is more straightforward. It only lasts for 6 months and then any remaining debt is wiped off.

What Can You Do If Advantis Are Being Unreasonable?

Our financial expert, Janine, says on debt collectors: ‘It’s crucial that you stay calm and know your rights. They have no power to enter your home or take any of your possessions.’

Advantis are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that they have to stick to the FCA guidelines and codes of conduct.

If you feel that they have not stuck to the rules, you should make a complaint.

First, make a complaint against Advantis directly. If you feel that they have not taken your complaint seriously enough, you can make a separate complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

By complaining to the FOS, your issue should be dealt with reasonably and you may even qualify for compensation if it is necessary. Advantis could also be fined if your complaint is upheld.

Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights when dealing with Advantis or any other debt collection agency is crucial.

That’s why we’ve prepared this table that explains what debt collectors are allowed to do. If you’d like to learn more about your rights, 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.

Advantis Credit Ltd Contact Details

Website: https://www.advantiscredit.co.uk/
Phone number: 01782 401 100
(customer enquiries)

01782 400 400 (choose option 4)
(client sales or media enquiries)
Mail: Advantis Credit Ltd, Minton Hollins Building, Shelton Old Road,
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, ST4 7RY
Email: [email protected]
Numbers they call from: 01782401123
07891903076
08448241836

Advantis Debt Collection FAQs

Who owns Advantis Credit?
Advantis Credit Limited is a private limited company and currently there are three directors. On 13th January 2020, J.B.W. Group Limited took significant control of Advantis Credit Limited and replaced the three existing directors with three new directors.
Are Advantis financially regulated?
Yes, Advantis’ debt collection services are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The business registration number is 705478. They are registered in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire in the name of Mark Webb.
Do Advantis Credit Limited work for HMRC?
As of 2020, Advantis Credit Limited is one of 11 debt collection groups working on behalf of HMRC to recover benefit overpayments and tax debts.
Does Advantis Debt Collection purchase debt?
Advantis Credit collects money for other organisations. They do not buy debts from those organisations.
Can Advantis take me to court?
Yes, if you do not respond to them and it is worth their time and money, they could take you to court and you could be served with a CCJ in order for you to repay your debt.
What happens if I ignore Advantis?
If you decide to ignore Advantis Credit, they could take legal action and apply for a County Court Judgement (CCJ). A judge could then issue a CCJ, making you pay, and if you ignore the CCJ, you could face bailiffs.
Are debt collectors the same as bailiffs?
No, a debt collector chases debts by tracking you down and requesting money with letters, text messages and calls. A bailiff is someone who enforces a court order for you to pay. A debt collection business will outsource part of the recovery process to bailiffs.
Can Advantis Debt Collection search my house?
No, only a bailiff can come into your property when they have a court order to recover a debt.
Will Advantis Debt Collection give up chasing my debt?
Not until all their options have been exhausted, including court action. This usually they will chase you for as long as six years unless there has been a County Court Judgement forcing you to pay the debt in question.
When does a debt become too old to be collected?
Debt collectors can only chase a debt for six years. At this point, the debt will become statute-barred, which means the debt collector cannot take you to court over the debt because it is too old. Exceptions to this rule exist, such as if you were told to pay the debt in the past through County Court Judgement.
How can I contact Advantis Debt Collection?
If you want to get in touch with Advantis Credit they can be contacted on 01782 401100. This is not a free number and the cost of the phone call will vary depending on your mobile phone network provider. You can also contact Advantis by writing to them at Minton Hollins Building, Shelton Old Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7RY.
How do I pay Advantis Debt Collection?
Advantis Credit Limited accept payment by credit or debit card on their website. You can also make a payment by bank transfer, by the Barclays Pingit service or by direct debit.
Where can I get more free debt advice?
You can get free debt advice from the friendly UK debt charities, such as National Debtline and StepChange.
Could you legally write off some debt?

Answer below to get started.

How much debt do you have?

This isn’t a full fact find, MoneyNerd doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provide information about your options.

References

  1. InDebted Debt Collectors Survey.
  2. StepChange, Creditor and Debt Collector Conduct.

CONC 7.3 Treatment of customers in default or arrears (including repossessions): lenders, owners and debt collectors

CONC 7.9 Contact with customers

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The authors
Scott Nelson Profile Picture
Author
MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh Profile Picture
Debt Expert
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.