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Central Debt Collection Services – Do You Need to Pay?

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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
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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
· Jan 19th, 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.

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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.

Have you ever had a letter from Central Debt Collection Services? You might be feeling worried or confused. You’re not alone – every month, more than 170,000 people come to our website for advice on debt problems just like this one. We’re here to guide you.

In this article, we’ll explain:

  • Who Central Debt Collection Services are.
  • Why they might be getting in touch.
  • How you can check if the debt is really yours.
  • What to do if you can pay or if you can’t.
  • If and how these debt collectors can impact your life.

We understand how you feel. Some of our team members have had letters from debt collectors too. We know it’s not easy, but we also know that there are ways to deal with the situation. This article will tell you everything you need to know.

Let’s get started.

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.

What are the reasons for the contact by Central Debt Collection Services Debt Collectors?

With so many people suffering from debt issues, debt collection businesses are in plentiful supply, and they can cause devastation to those suffering with these issues. You will find debt collectors operating as independent businesses, and some that are part of the original credit company you have the original debt with. Some debt collectors may even operate on a self employed basis. Debt problems are a real issue for many people, and some debt collectors don’t make the situation any easier.

The model which is used by these debt collectors is the same. They basically purchase the debt for a small price, sometimes only 20% of the total value of the debt. This means they make a profit after the 20% has been covered and explains why they are so desperate to get payment. Debt collectors do not particularly care about your personal situation, and whether you are suffering from financial problems.

Even if your finances are in a dire state, they do not want to hear about it, they just want your payment – and they want it now! Unfortunately, The former Office for Fair Trading (OFT, 2010) have found that debt collectors and their poor practices seem to be common, and are extremely problematic.

Establish the origins of the debt

The best thing you can do in the first instance is to determine the origins of the debt. You may want to find out from the debt collector where the debt originally came from and the total cost of what you are due to pay back, including a complete breakdown of the interest/charges etc. It is highly likely that the original debt if you establish one, is highly inflated by various charges and interest, and it may be substantially more than you thought you owed.

To find out more details about your debt, you should write to Central Debt Collection Services Debt Collectors and ask that they provide you with a copy of the original credit agreement. If they will not provide this, it will not be necessary for you to pay them.

How do I Verify Central Debt Collection Services Debt?

If you have received debt letters from Central Debt Collection Services, 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 Central Debt Collection Services and request evidence that you are liable for the debt that they are chasing.

You are under no obligation to pay for a debt that can’t be proven to be yours.

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.

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

Can pay – but should I?

If you establish that you are responsible for the debt, then the best way to deal with the situation is to pay back the debt you owe if you can manage to do this. If you are unable to pay the debt back, or if paying the debt would stop you from dealing with other important debts, including your rent or mortgage, you should try to reach an agreement with Central Debt Collection Services Debt Collectors. You may even be able to offer them a part payment to clear the debt. Something is better than nothing in many cases!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

So do you need to pay?

Although there have been a lot of warnings from the government and other guidelines put into place, as well as other measures, debt collecting agencies have still behaved in a way which could be described as atrocious, leading vulnerable debtors into poor mental health. However, you can turn it around, especially if you ask for some help from the agencies we have spoken about in this article who can provide you with free advice and support. You cannot just say that you won’t pay the debt, but it is entirely possible to reduce the debt you need to repay.

You may be able to spread your repayments over a specific time that you are happy with. You will be able to prevent bullying and harassment by speaking to the Financial Ombudsman about their behaviour. In the worst case, it is entirely possible that they will lose their licence.

How to write off some of your debt

It is entirely possible to write off a chunk of your debt by signing up to an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). An IVA is a signed arrangement, where you make a plan to pay off your debt by clearing off a specific amount which is affordable, either as one payment or as monthly payments. You would then be able to write off the rest of the debt within a certain period of time, which is around five years. The IVA process should be taken care of by an insolvency practitioner.

An alternative option to this is a Debt Relief Order (DRO). A DRO would only be available to you if you have £75 or less left each month when you have paid other bills and expenses. You cannot be a home owner or have goods which amount to over £2000 to be eligible for a DRO.

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.

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Reviews shown are for The Debt Advice Service.

How do I make a complaint against Central Debt Collection Services?

If you think that Central Debt Collection Services 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 Central Debt Collection Services 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, Central Debt Collection Services may be fined. You could even be owed compensation.

Other Debt Collectors 

You should check for more outstanding debts that you may have with other companies or debt collectors. Here are four steps you could take: 

  1. Check your credit report for other defaults 
  2. Check your email and post for reminders or overdue notices
  3. Check the court records for CCJs against you
  4. Check your bank statements for the names of other debt collectors 

There are hundreds of debt collectors in the UK and each works with different companies to collect debts.

For example, Cabot Financial have been known to collect for the DVLA while Lowell Financial and PRA Group buy debts from various credit card companies like Barclaycard.

If you see a name on your bank statement that you don’t recognise then you can search MoneyNerd to see if they’re a debt collector. 

Central Debt Collection Services Contact Details

Address: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP
Phone Number: 08448 114485
Company Number: 01026167
Correspondence Address: PO Box 49 Manchester, M60 3EG
Reg Company Number: 01026167
Parent Company – Barclays Bank Plc
Website: https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/
Phone Number: 0800 400 100
Email: [email protected]
Registered Address: C/O Barclays Bank Plc 1 Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
Central Debt Collection Services may also be known as: Central Debt Collection Services Limited
Central Debt Collection Services Ltd
Central Debt Collection Services Group
Central Debt Collection Services Bailiffs
Central Debt Collection Services Debt Collectors
Central Debt Collection Services Debt Collection
Central Debt Collection Services Agency
Barclays Bank Plc

FAQs

What happens if you fail to respond to the debt collectors?
If you decide to just ignore the debt collectors, it is entirely possible that the situation will get worse, and they might even send doorstop collectors to your door to try and get the debt repaid. They also have the right to apply for a CCJ, and if this is successful, it will be featured on your credit report.
Will Central Debt Collection Services be able to take you to court?
Central Debt Collection Services will have the right to take you to court, if they want to ensure they get the money back that you owe. If they do take you to court, you will end up with a County Court Judgement letter.
Will you get sent to jail for your debt?
Debt collectors do not have the power to send you to jail for outstanding debt.
What will happen if I ignore a CCJ?
If you decide to just ignore the CCJ, you will not end up in prison, but bailiffs could turn up at your home to get items from your home which equate to the value of the debt.
Can Central Debt Collection Services give you a warrant?
Central Debt Collection Services will not be able to issue you with a warrant, or get you sent to prison. The most they can do is get a CCJ against you, and if this is successful, they would be able to send bailiffs to your property.
Are Central Debt Collection Services bailiffs?
Central Debt Collection Services do not operate as bailiffs. They will be able to request a CCJ, which could result in the courts sending bailiffs to you. This would not just happen though, you will have plenty of warnings about their plans to do so.
Can Central Debt Collection Services come to your house?
Central Debt Collection Services are not bailiffs. They are able to request a County Court Judgement which will allow the court to send bailiffs. They won’t just do this though, without plenty of warnings.
Will Central Debt Collection Services be able to force entry?
Central Debt Collection Services do not have the right to force their way into your home. They don’t have the legal power to do so. If you have received a CCJ though, the courts may instruct bailiffs to visit your home.
Will Central Debt Collection Services give up?
It is safe to say that Central Debt Collection Services will never give up trying to collect the debt, after all, if they do, they are potentially losing money. They will usually try every other legal option in an attempt to get payment. You could potentially be chased for the same debt for 6 years.
Can the debt have an expiry date?
It is possible for the debt to become too old for the debt collectors to chase. The Limitation Act 1980 states that the debt collectors have up to 6 years to try and collect the debt. The 6 years if from the last payment, or the last time you spoke to the debt collectors about your debt.
How long are debt collectors allowed to chase you for debt?
There can be an expiry on debt. Under the Limitation Act 1980, debt collectors will have a maximum of 6 years to chase a debt. The only way around this is if they issue you with a CCJ.
Can my debt be written off?
As per the Limitation action 1980, it is possible to be legally chased for your debt for up to 6 years from the last payment you made or when you last discussed the debt with debt collectors. If you end up with a CCJ, the Limitation Act would not apply anymore, which means they can chase you for an unlimited period of time.
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

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.