Tips for Effective Communication with Providers and Debt Collectors

Struggling to pay your bills? The last thing you want is more stress about communicating with creditors to a debt collector. And you are not alone – more than 170,000 people visit our website every month to get answers to their debt questions. 

In this quick guide, we’ll give you some tips for effective and hopefully stress-free communication with your creditor, provider, or debt collector:

• Ask to communicate via post
• Use letter templates 
• Negotiate
• Get advice

Ask to communicate only in writing

Debt collectors must stick to your communication preferences as long as they’re reasonable. Obviously, you can’t ask that they never contact you if you owe money, but you can request that they only contact you via post.

This is a good idea for several reasons:

1. You have a record of everything that has been said or agreed to. If there is an issue or dispute in the future, you have all the evidence you need to prove that you’re right.
2. You have more time to think. We’ve all been there – you’re talking on the phone, you get stressed and flustered and agree to something you shouldn’t have done. Writing letters gives you ample time to consider your finances and work out your rights. 
3. Writing letters is less stressful than dealing with phone calls. Dealing with debt collectors or creditors via post is less stressful than fielding their phone calls, and at least you know that a letter can only arrive once a day. 

Use a letter template

Another benefit of using the post to communicate with your creditors or debt collectors is that you can use a letter template.

A letter template is a great way to ensure that you include everything you need when writing your letter. We have several free letter templates available that you can use for guidance when writing your letters.

Negotiate

If you are struggling to pay your bills, remember that you can negotiate with your creditors or debt collectors – they know that getting some of your debt paid off is better than none.

Explaining your situation to your creditors or a debt collector might be enough to show that you will never be able to pay off your debt. Then, you can offer to pay what you can and ask to write off the rest of the debt. 

You could also explain your financial situation and work out a repayment plan you can afford. This is a good option if you are honest and only agree to a plan you know you can afford. Agreeing to an unaffordable plan will land you in more trouble and possibly end up in legal action. 

Alternatively, you could request a payment holiday. A payment holiday is a brief pause on your bills to help you get back on track. It might be a good idea for those who know they’ll have some money freed up soon but can’t afford to make monthly payments at the moment. 

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.

Get advice

If you are worried about communicating with your creditors or debt collectors, there are several ways you can get advice.

You can use any of our guides to get better informed on your rights or contact a debt charity. There are several debt charities in the UK, including TDAS or StepChange, that offer free and impartial debt advice. 

These charities can also help you work through your options and decide if a debt solution would be right for you and your finances.