Credit Security Limited: Checking a Debt and Your Options

Are you concerned about a letter from Credit Security Limited about a debt? Do you question if you should pay it or worry about how to do so?

This guide explains how to check the account, respond to a dispute and assess affordable options.

In this article, we will explain:

• Who Credit Security Debt Collections are.
• How to check if the debt they say you owe is really yours.
• The steps to take if you can’t afford to pay.
• Your rights and how to keep from being chased.

Collection contact can be stressful, particularly if the debt is unfamiliar or the proposed payment is unaffordable.

Keep correspondence and seek free debt advice if you need help deciding what to do.

Let’s walk this path together.

Is Credit Security Debt Collections Just a Scam?

Credit Security Limited is an established debt collection business. That does not prove that a particular caller, email or letter is authentic.

Its official website identifies the firm as FCA authorised. Check its current permissions and contact details independently before sharing information.

They are also a member of the Credit Services Association, which is the trade association body within the debt collection industry.

However, just because they have sent you a letter does not mean you owe them money.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

How Will They Contact You?

Credit Security Debt Collections are known to send out letters stating that you owe a debt.

Some letters warn about possible court proceedings. A formal Letter of Claim has specific requirements; not every collection letter is that document.

This debt collection agency may also contact you by phone and carry out field visits.

We know that they do carry out field visits to the homes of people in debt because their Credit Services Association listing states “field visits” as one of their services.

Note, that you never have to engage or welcome one of Credit Security Debt Collections field agents inside your home.

They are not bailiffs and do not have any legal powers to remove goods.

In fact, Credit Security has no more legal powers than the companies they work for. It is simply a process of one company outsourcing the task of chasing debt to another company.

Debt Collectors vs Bailiffs

To better understand the difference between bailiffs and debt collectors, please take a quick look at the table below:

Issue	Debt collector	Bailiff or enforcement agent
Role	Requests payment for a creditor or debt purchaser.	Acts under a legally valid enforcement power and must follow its limits.
Entry	No power to force entry; you can refuse entry and ask them to leave.	Usually cannot force first entry to a home for council tax or an ordinary civil debt. Limited exceptions and re-entry rules apply.
Goods	Cannot seize your goods.	May take non-exempt goods belonging to the debtor where the legal conditions are met; essential items and some work equipment are protected.
Bank accounts	A judgment alone gives no access.	Taking money from an account normally requires a separate third-party debt order obtained by the creditor, not a doorstep bailiff power.
Contact	Must avoid harassment; regulated firms must contact at reasonable times.	Visits are normally between 6 am and 9 pm, subject to legal exceptions.
Vulnerability	Tell the firm what support or communication adjustments you need.	Tell the agent and creditor about vulnerability and seek advice about additional safeguards.
Disputes	Ask for evidence of the debt and complain about improper conduct.	Check identification, the enforcement authority and fees; get urgent advice about an invalid notice or proposed entry.

A proposed collection visit must be distinguished from a threat to seize goods.

For example:

“Today I have received a letter from Credit Security Limited about the same debt but DEMANDING I pay the sum; otherwise, they will send a DEBT COLLECTOR round to pick up payment.”

A collector may request voluntary payment during a visit, so that statement alone does not establish unlawful conduct. It cannot force entry or seize goods as an ordinary collector, and must not misrepresent its powers. See related guidance.

Credit Security Debt Collections Debt Letters (LBA)

If you have received a debt letter from Credit Security Debt Collections, it is likely to tell you that you owe their client money.

It will also give a date that they want to receive the money or may take legal action.

A collection business may act for a creditor rather than own the account. Debt purchase prices vary and do not establish the amount legally due.

Check the owner, balance and authority to collect rather than making assumptions about the firm’s profit or motives.

The most important question to ask at this stage is have they provided any proof that you owe the debt?

Simply telling you that you owe money – whether you agree or think there is a mistake – is not good enough.

Relevant evidence depends on the debt. A signed original agreement is not required for every account; qualifying Consumer Credit Act copy requests have specific rules.

For example, some energy liability arises under a deemed contract. Statements, supply dates and occupancy evidence can matter even if no signed contract exists.

This is why we always recommend responding to debt collectors – even just to question the debt’s validity.

Credit Security Didn’t Send Proof…

Explain a dispute and request an itemised balance and evidence of liability. A valid or potentially valid dispute within FCA consumer-credit rules must be investigated with recovery paused, but a generic evidence request does not cancel a debt, override a court order or extend a court deadline.

You can do this using the many templates online.

A free prove-it template can help you explain the issue and request appropriate information. See related guidance.

The important details to include in the letter are:

• State you received their letter (including any reference number you have)
• Ask them to provide proof of the debt
• Ask the firm to investigate the genuine dispute and confirm how recovery will be handled. See related guidance.
• Explain that you will use the appropriate complaints route if the issue is not addressed. See related guidance.
• Use a verified route and provide only information reasonably needed to identify the account.

The firm may respond with documents, correct an error or require time to investigate. Silence does not establish cancellation.

Do not assume it has lost evidence or deliberately contacted unrelated people. Keep records and respond to any later court papers.

This is why if you believe you have received the letter by mistake, taking action with a prove the debt letter is still necessary!

They Provided Proof of the Debt, What Now?

If the evidence shows a valid balance, consider affordability and any applicable legal or debt-solution options.

Limitation or prescription may be relevant to an older debt, but it is not the only reason recovery may be restricted.

What Is Statute Barred Debt?

For many simple-contract debts in England and Wales, the limitation period is six years from the relevant cause of action, subject to payment, written acknowledgement and court-proceeding rules. Many Scottish obligations prescribe after five years under different rules. Debt type and history matter; age alone does not establish that recovery is barred.

The start date, any relevant acknowledgement or payment, proceedings and debt type must all be checked.

In England and Wales, limitation generally restricts the court remedy for a simple-contract debt rather than cancelling the balance.

For FCA-regulated consumer-credit recovery, a firm must not continue demanding payment of a statute-barred debt after being told that you will not pay because it is statute-barred. Scottish prescription can extinguish the obligation.

If court papers arrive, obtain advice and raise any applicable limitation defence within the deadline. Do not assume the court will automatically know the full history.

Different legal rules apply to debts such as tax, mortgage shortfalls and judgments. Ask an adviser to assess the specific account.

If the debt is not statute-barred

If the debt is valid, you may be able to agree affordable repayment or consider a suitable formal solution. Inability to pay does not itself cancel liability.

But there are so many different ways you can get out of debt, and the right one will depend on your financial situation and how many debts you have.

Before you decide on what your next move should be, you should know about your rights and what Credit Security Debt Collections can and cannot do.

• Credit Security Debt Collections cannot contact you during unsociable hours
• The firm should consider reasonable contact preferences and vulnerability, while necessary legal notices may still be sent.
• Collectors must handle information lawfully and avoid inappropriate disclosure to family, colleagues or neighbours. They may communicate with an authorised adviser or representative, and other lawful disclosures can be permitted. Payments must have an appropriate authorisation or other lawful basis.
• Credit Security Debt Collections must not apply pressure on you to choose a debt solution, and they must give you time to decide
• FCA consumer-credit rules restrict recovery of statute-barred debts. Explain any advised limitation position accurately and keep evidence of your response.
• They cannot pretend that legal action will take place if it realistically will not
• And they cannot use jargon to confuse you and influence your decisions

Should You Pay?

If the balance is valid and payment is affordable after essentials and priority debts, use a verified route. Otherwise, seek advice about an affordable response.

Do not use money needed for essential living costs or priority obligations just to end collection contact.

However, not everyone has the finances to pay off their debts, especially if they have large debts or have multiple debts.

You can propose an affordable plan, but acceptance of every proposal is not guaranteed.

Explain any financial difficulty and provide a realistic budget where appropriate.

Ask for the amount, timing and any interest or legal-action terms in writing.

And if you lose your job or are unable to meet payments:

Tell the firm promptly if circumstances change and ask to review an unaffordable arrangement.

So, there are lots of reasons not to panic if you owe a debt that is not affordable to pay right now.

What If You Can’t Afford To Pay?

If you can’t afford to pay off your Credit Security debt – or know that paying would put you in financial hardship – you might need to consider a debt solution.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so we 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.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A DMP is an informal debt solution that lets you pay off your debts via a single monthly payment.

A DMP normally aims to repay included unsecured debts in full and does not guarantee frozen interest or protection from court action.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal insolvency arrangement managed by an insolvency practitioner. Your proposal sets out payments, any assets involved and fees. Once approved, it binds the creditors and debts covered by it and restricts recovery action; it is not a blanket ban on necessary correspondence.

Many IVAs involve payments for five or six years, but the agreed term varies. Qualifying unpaid debt is normally released only on successful completion. An IVA affects your credit record, may involve assets or home equity, and can fail if its terms are not met.

IVA suitability depends on your debts, affordable contributions or available assets, fees and creditor approval. There is no universal rule that you must owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor. Get independent debt advice and compare other options before agreeing to an IVA.

Trust Deed

IVAs are not available in Scotland. A Scottish money adviser can compare a protected trust deed, the Debt Arrangement Scheme, sequestration and informal arrangements; a trust deed is not compulsory.

A protected trust deed is a Scottish insolvency arrangement, usually lasting at least four years of contributions. It can discharge qualifying unpaid debt on successful completion, but fees apply and your home or other assets may be at risk. Covered creditors cannot pursue payment outside it, but can still send required documents.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

In England and Wales, a DRO may suit an eligible non-homeowner with low surplus income, limited assets and qualifying debts within the £50,000 limit. Detailed income, asset, vehicle and residence rules apply. An approved debt adviser checks eligibility and submits the application to the Insolvency Service.

During a DRO, included qualifying debts are protected from most recovery action under the moratorium rules. This is not a ban on every necessary communication, and excluded debts and ongoing bills still need attention.

A DRO normally lasts 12 months. If it remains in force, the qualifying debts listed in it are normally discharged at the end. You must report relevant changes and continue paying ongoing bills and excluded debts, such as court fines and student loans.

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.

An approved Scottish money adviser can assess eligibility for the Minimal Asset Process (MAP), a form of sequestration, and compare other suitable options. Eligibility and consequences must be checked; it is not automatically the best choice for everyone with a low income. See related guidance.

How Do You Make A Complaint?

As we mentioned above, if you think that Credit Security 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 Credit Security 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.

If the matter is within the Financial Ombudsman Service’s remit, you can normally escalate after a final response or eight weeks without one, usually within six months of the final response. See related guidance.

The Ombudsman can require appropriate redress, such as correcting records or compensation. It does not fine firms or remove FCA authorisation.

Credit Security Limited Contact Information

Phone:	01296 642180 Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm – Saturday: 9am to 1pm – Sundays: Closed
Address:	Credit Security Limited, The Old Court House, High Street, Whitchurch, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4JS
Website:	https://www.creditsecurity.co.uk/

What to Remember When Dealing with Debt Collectors

• Always take action!
• Explain any genuine dispute or advised limitation position accurately.
• Request the evidence relevant to the particular account and keep responding to court deadlines.
• An ordinary debt collector has no power to force entry or take goods. It may request a voluntary visit or payment, but you can refuse entry and ask it to leave. Bailiff enforcement requires separate lawful authority.
• Free debt advice can help compare repayment, disputes and formal solutions without guaranteeing a write-off.
• Ask for an affordable arrangement if needed and obtain written agreement; a reduced payment does not automatically settle the whole balance.

References

1. InDebted, Debt Collectors Survey
2. Jubilee Debt – A Frest Start After Covid-19