Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors – Do You Have to Pay?

Have you had a letter from Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors and are not sure what to do next? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Every month, over 170,000 people visit our website seeking advice on debt issues.

We know it’s confusing to find out where this debt has come from or if you should pay it at all. We’re here to help you through it.

In this article, we’ll explain:

•  Who Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors are.
•  How to understand if the debt they say you owe is really yours.
•  How to stop them from calling you all the time.
•  If you can stop paying them or even write off some of your debt.
•  Your rights when dealing with debt collectors.

Research shows that 64% of UK adults find interactions with current debt collectors stressful¹. So we understand how it feels when they keep asking you for money.

Don’t worry; we’ve got the information you need to figure things out. Let’s find out more about Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors and what you can do.

Why do they keep calling you?

If your phone keeps ringing and an agent from Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors is on the other end, you may be wondering why they keep contacting you.

The truth is that debt is big business, and there are thousands of debt collection businesses out there, chasing debtors for payment.

You will find debt collection companies that work independently and even some who operate as sole traders. There are also debt collection companies who work side by side with the company you have the debt with. Although they don’t usually publicise this!

You may be wondering how debt collectors make any money. After all, they are buying the debt and getting the payment, so how can they make anything?

The way they operate is to purchase debt. Debt collection agencies buy billions of debt annually at rock bottom prices, at an average of 10p to £1! ².

They don’t tend to show much care about the situation debtors are in. The Office for Fair Trading reported that many debt collection agencies are using poor practices to try to get the repayments. In many cases, they are making debtors’ lives miserable due to their harsh tactics.

Read what to do if you can’t pay back your debt.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Letters from PO Box 8743 Bellshill?

Mackenzie Hall may have contacted you under their normal company name and address, but occasionally you may receive contact from PO Box 8743 BellShill. From my research, it seems this is also an address associated with Mackenzie Hall, so we’d treat them as the same company.

Typical Collection Process

If you’ve missed a payment, Mackenzie Hall will send letters or call. This is part of the first stage of the debt collection process. Keep in mind that the actions involved in the debt collector timeline may escalate if you ignore them.

It’s crucial to understand the key stages of the debt collection process to prevent unwanted situations. That’s why we’ve put together this quick table. For more information, please read our specialized guide.

If you ignore Mackenzie Hall, they can file a CCJ against you. Remember that the best way to stop them from contacting you is by offering to pay what you can.

Establishing the debt

Do you believe you have already paid this debt, or perhaps you are completely unaware of it? The first thing to do before you start making any payments to the debt is to find out as much about it as possible. Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors should be able to provide you with a copy of the credit agreement, with a breakdown of the costs.

Speak to Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors and ask them to send the agreement in writing. You will not need to pay the debt if they don’t provide this. You have a right to request, and receive this.

Follow our ‘prove it’ guide with letter templates and get them to prove that you owe the money.

Don’t want to pay?

Assuming that Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors have sent you a copy of the credit agreement, and everything is above board and accurate, the next step is to pay the debt – if you can. It is not a case of ‘not wanting to pay’, if you owe it, you need to pay it.

However, you should only pay if it will allow you to keep up with other payments, such as rent or mortgage. The debt collectors may be willing to accept a partial payment to clear off the debt.

Thousands have already tackled their debt

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The key points

There are some things you should be aware of when debt collectors such as MacKenzie Hall Debt Collectors contact you. This knowledge will put you in a better position to fight back!

The agents will usually get bonuses

If you are wondering why the agents at MacKenzie Hall Debt Collectors are continuously contacting you, it is quite simply that they will make money if they get payment.

On an individual basis, the agents may have set targets for payments, and they will often get bonuses as a result of achieving these. The last thing they want is to come off the phone and say that they have not managed to get any payment.

You should stand up for yourself against debt collectors like MacKenzie Hall Debt Collectors. The threats they make are usually empty, so you may be able to turn it around. Make sure you speak to them, but don’t just pay up straight away if you can’t afford it. You should not leave yourself without funds as a result of paying your debt.

Call technology is commonplace

Are you wondering how MacKenzie Hall Debt Collectors have the time to contact you on a loop every day? You can be assured that they are not doing this, they will be using automated call technology to deal with the calls.

This can result in daily calls, or even several each day. If you do finally decide to answer the calls, they may not even be on the other line. The calls are a form of intimidation.

If you are receiving an excessive amount of phone calls, you should make sure you have a note of these, and when they take place. This is not acceptable behaviour, and it will be a breach of the OFT guidelines. You have the right to report them to the Financial Ombudsman for this behaviour.

You will be able to reach the Financial Ombudsman by calling 0800 023 4567 or alternatively, 0300 123 9123.

Bad attitude

There are many debt collection agents who simply have a bad attitude! They may speak to you in a friendly, polite manner in the first instance, but that is usually only to sweeten you up so that you make payment to the debt.

The tides will soon turn when they find out you can’t pay the debt after all. The contact you receive from them may even become quite abusive. You might receive sinister letters or relentless phone calls.

They do this as they want to make sure you pay up. If you are driven to despair, you are more likely to pay up just to get rid of them. This is not the kind of behaviour you should be resigning yourself to putting up with. They do not have the right to treat you unfairly, regardless of how much debt you have.

It is not easy to deal with this negative behaviour, especially if you are not used to it. However, if you know your rights and you are able to stay strong, you can deal with it and change the situation. You also have the right to report to the OFT using this online complaint form.

Are they allowed to speak to my family about it?

Janine, our financial expert, explained that while debt collectors can visit your home for payments, they cannot come to your workplace, act threateningly, force payment, or discuss your finances with others. If they violate these rules, you can complain.

Your financial situation is your business, and no-one else’s. Even if they cannot get hold of you, they should still not speak to anyone else about your debt. If they have spoken to someone else about your debt, this is against the OFT guidelines and privacy laws.

This behaviour should be reported to the Financial Ombudsman on 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123

You can write off your debt

You will be able to write off some of the debt if you enter into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

With this agreement, you will pay a specific amount each month towards the debt, and after around five years, the remaining debt will be written off. You would need to use an insolvency practitioner for an IVA.

Mackenzie Hall Debt Collectors Contact Details

References

1. Indebted Debt Collection Survey
2. Jubilee Debt Campaign

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

CONC 7.9 Contact with customers