Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors – Should You Pay?

Are you dealing with a company called Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors? Are you worried about them coming to your home or taking your things? You’re not the only one. Each month, over 170,000 people visit our website for advice on their debt issues.

In this helpful article, you’ll find the following:

• Who Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors are.
• Why they might be contacting you.
• How to know if the debt is really yours.
• Information on what to do if you don’t want to pay.
• Ways to deal with debt collectors and the law.

We know how stressful it can be when dealing with debt collectors. We’re here to help. We’ve lots of useful advice and examples to guide you through the process. We understand your worries and are committed to helping you find the best solution.

Let’s get to work.

Why are they contacting you?

Debt collectors like Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors will contact you about an outstanding debt you have. The debt probably won’t be owed to them directly, but because they buy it from another company, they are entitled to chase you about it.

You’ll find that independent debt collection agencies purchase debt as their main source of income, but many don’t adhere to the regulations. The former OFT in 2010 said that, unfortunately, unfair practices amongst debt collection agencies “appear to be widespread”.

So, in short, Ross & Roberts Bailiffs are contacting you as part of the debt collection process.

Is this my debt?

If you don’t recognise the debt, you should get confirmation, as it may not be yours, or it might be incorrect. Debt verification is a crucial step that, in my experience, too many people skip.

The value may be different as there might be interest added on. If you don’t recognise the debt though, you should ask Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors to send you a copy of the original credit agreement.

You can use my free ‘prove it’ letter template to write to Ross & Roberts to request proof that the debt is yours. Remember, you have no obligation to pay for a debt that can’t be proven to be yours.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

Is it still enforceable?

For older debts, you might need to be aware of the UK Statute of Limitations on debt and the enforcement laws for expired debts.

If it has been 6 years – or 5 years in Scotland – since you last paid towards your unsecured debts and you have not written to your creditor about your debt during this time, it is statute-barred.

This means that the debt is not enforceable. It still technically exists, and you still technically owe the money, but there is no legal way for you to be forced to pay or for the debt to be enforced.

Keep in mind that not all debts become statute-barred!

Any HMRC debts, for example, will stay enforceable for decades. Any debt that had a County Court Judgement (CCJ) attached to it during the 5 or 6-year window it will be enforceable for the duration of the CCJ. 

If your debt is statute-barred, you can use my free letter template to write to Ross & Roberts Bailiffs and explain the situation.If you are unsure about the status of your debt, you can contact a debt charity for some advice. Their advisors will be able to look at the debt in question, determine its status, and advise you on your next steps.

What if you don’t want to pay?

It’s not enough just to not want to pay the debt. If you owe it, then you need to pay or at least arrange to repay via alternative repayment methods. It will make your life much easier if you just pay it, but at least speak to the agents and try to reach an agreement.

If you can’t afford to pay in one go, you have to be offered a few different repayment schemes. If you still can’t afford to pay, you may need to consider a debt solution. I go through a few different options below.

If you are still getting hassle from Ross & Roberts Bailiffs Debt Collectors, despite offering them a repayment, you can seek advice, as they should not keep contacting you.

Can you ever get rid of your debt?

If you have unsecured debts but are struggling to pay for them, you may need to consider a debt solution. While they do have a negative impact on your credit score, a debt solution might be your only path to a debt-free life.

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

I have linked a few charities that offer these advisory services for free below.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

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

Because it is informal, it is not legally binding so you are not tied into a DMP for a minimum number of payments.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal agreement between you and your creditors. You agree to pay a monthly sum that is distributed amongst your debts, and your creditors agree not to contact you during your IVA.

IVAs typically last for 5 or 6 years, and any outstanding debt is wiped off when it ends.

Keep in mind that IVAs are not suitable for everyone. You need to owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor to be eligible. You also need to demonstrate that you have some disposable income every month.

Trust Deed

IVAs are not available in Scotland. Instead, you will need to opt for a Trust Deed.

Trust Deeds work in the same way as an IVA – you pay an agreed sum each month that is shared amongst your creditors, they can’t contact you, and any leftover debt at the end of your Trust Deed term is written off.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO is a good option for those facing financial hardship with no assets and little income.

For 12 months, you make no payments, but your creditors freeze your interest and don’t contact you.

If your finances haven’t improved during this year, you may be able to write off your unsecured debts.

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.

If you have little income and no valuable assets, you may be able to apply for a minimal asset process bankruptcy (MAP). A MAP is a quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward version of sequestration, so worth considering.

How do I complain?

If you think that Ross & Roberts 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.

Filing a complaint against debt collectors that don’t follow FCA guidelines can help protect you and other people from the same unfair debt collection practices in the future.

Make your first complaint to Ross & Roberts 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, Ross & Roberts Bailiffs may be fined. You could even be owed compensation.

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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References

Schedule 12, Tribunals, Courts and Enforcements Act, 2007

Part 1, Regulation 10, Certification of enforcement agents, 2014.

Gov.uk, CPR – Rules and Directions, 2018.