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PO Box 278 Surrey, RH2 7JP – Who’s Contacting You?

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Scott
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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
· Mar 15th, 2024
Could you legally write off some debt? Answer below to get started.

Total amount of debt?

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.

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.

Featured in...

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 PO Box 278 and feeling unsure about your next steps? You’ve come to the right place. Every month, more than 170,000 people visit this site seeking guidance on debt issues.

In this article, we’ll address the following questions:

  • Who is contacting you from PO Box 278?
  • Should you pay or ignore Intrum debt collectors?
  • What if you can’t afford to pay the debt?
  • How can you complain about Intrum?

Research shows that 64% of people in the UK find dealing with debt collectors stressful.1 So we truly understand how you feel.

Some of our team members have also struggled with debt. With our experience, we’ll help you understand your options and manage your situation effectively.

Let’s dive in!

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.

Who’s Behind the Debt Letter from PO Box 278?

If you’ve received a letter from PO Box 278 in Surrey, RH2 7JP, chances are it’s from Intrum debt collectors.

Intrum isn’t a name that typically rings a bell for most people, as it’s a debt collection agency that often works on behalf of various companies to recover debts.

Their letters usually specify which company they’re collecting for.

It’s crucial not to ignore these debt letters. From what we’ve seen, ignoring them can escalate the situation and potentially lead to a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you.

This can have an impact on your credit file.

Instead, it’s better to respond promptly. You can either ask Intrum to provide proof of the debt if you’re unsure about it or make arrangements to pay it if it’s legitimate.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Typical Debt Collection Process

Getting letters from PO Box 278 is pretty standard since it’s often the first step in the debt collection process.

To help you better understand the debt collector timeline and the steps you should take, I’ve created this table.

Stage Actions What you should do:
Missing one or two small payments Calls and letters from the debt collector asking for payment. They may enquire about reasons for missing payments. Contact the debt collector and offer to pay what you can. If you are struggling to pay the debt, get in touch with us to explore your options.
Missing large or multiple payments Their contact will become more frequent, urgent, and threatening. Contact the debt collection agency and offer to pay what you can. You may also make a complaint if you think the letters are a form of harassment.
Debt collector visit After a few months, if the debt is significant (£200+) you will receive notice of a debt collector visit. They have to notify you before arriving. Debt collectors cannot take anything from your home – they may only ask for payment. If a debt collector shows up at your home, ask them to show proof of the debt and their ID through a window. Do not open your door or let them in. You can arrange a payment plan with the debt collector, but make sure to get a receipt of this.
Court If you still do not pay your debts to the original lender/debt collector agency, they will take you to court and either attempt to:
– File a CCJ against you.
– File an attachment of earnings order.
– File a lawsuit against you.
You must show up to your court date. From here, you can either dispute the debt, or the judge will likely suggest a manageable repayment plan for you.

Remember, if you ignore Intrum debt collectors, they can take you to court and file a CCJ against you. We find it best to contact them and offer to pay what you can.

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

Should You Pay Intrum Debt Collectors?

Are unsure whether you should pay Intrum? It’s a common dilemma, but the answer isn’t always straightforward.

Before you reach for your wallet, it’s essential to consider a few key factors.

First, we recommend asking for proof of the debt. Mistakes can happen, and you don’t want to pay for something you don’t actually owe.

You need to ask them to prove the debt in writing. They should reply to your prove-it letter with a copy of a credit agreement or contract you signed. 

If they don’t reply with the evidence, you don’t have to pay.

It’s also important to keep copies of your request in case the matter goes to court.

Check if the Debt Is Still Enforceable

Another crucial thing to consider is the statute of limitations on your debt.

If it’s been 6 years – or 5 years in Scotland – since you last paid anything towards your unsecured debts, without any communication with your creditor during this time, it becomes statute-barred.

This means you’re off the hook legally; you can’t be forced to pay it.

But remember, not all debts follow this rule! Debts owed to HMRC, for instance, can stay enforceable for decades.

And if a County Court Judgment (CCJ) was issued within that 5 or 6-year period, the debt remains enforceable for the duration of the CCJ.

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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What if Intrum Proves Your Debt?

If Intrum confirms your debt, ideally, clearing it entirely would be the aim. But let’s be real—not everyone can manage that.

In fact, the average unsecured debt has increased by 27% year-on-year (to £16,174).2 You’re not alone in this.

So, what can you do if you find yourself in this situation?

We recommend reaching out to Intrum and discussing the possibility of setting up an instalment plan.

Intrum or the original creditor might be willing to work with you to create a payment schedule that fits your budget.

Another option to consider is looking into broader debt solutions, such as a Debt Management Plan, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, or a Debt Relief Order. These solutions can help you freeze interest and manage your finances effectively.

If you’re considering a debt solution, we find it best to contact a debt charity for free advice. Their advisors will be able to look at your situation in detail and give you a plan moving forward.

How to Complain About Intrum?

If Intrum has provided false information, failed to validate the debt upon your request, or harassed you, you should make a complaint.

It’s important to ensure that Intrum debt collectors follow the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) guidelines.

Our recommendation is to first address your concerns directly with Intrum, allowing them the opportunity to resolve the issue internally.

However, if you find that your complaint is not being taken seriously, you can take your secondary complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

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 Collection Survey
  2. StepChange Debt Statistics in Scotland 2022
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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.