Sonex Financial Debt Letters: Verify the Account and Get Support

Received a Sonex Financial letter? Sonex describes providing collection and support services for clients, including people in vulnerable circumstances. Verify the account and sender before sharing information or paying.

In this article, we’ll help you understand:

•  What Sonex Financial is and who they work for.
•  How to check if the debt they say you owe is really yours.
•  Ways to stop Sonex Financial from chasing you too much.
•  How to set up a plan to pay back the money or even get some of it written off.

Tell the verified firm if a health condition, disability or other circumstance affects your ability to respond or manage payments.

But don’t worry; with our expertise, we’ll help you figure things out.

Should you pay them?

Check liability, the balance, enforceability and affordability before agreeing a payment. There is no guaranteed way to avoid a valid debt.

Limitation is not simply a test of whether an account is six years old. The debt type, jurisdiction, relevant dates and any proceedings matter.

In England and Wales, limitation may provide a court defence; Scottish prescription can extinguish an obligation. Respond promptly to proceedings rather than assuming a claim cannot be issued.

Ask for the creditor’s name, account reference, balance breakdown and evidence that you are liable. For regulated consumer credit debts, a firm must pause recovery while it investigates a dispute on valid or potentially valid grounds. A request for information does not itself cancel the debt or extend a court deadline.

Energy supply can arise under a deemed contract without a signed agreement. Check bills, meter readings, supply dates, payments and who occupied the property. Great Britain’s energy back-billing protections can limit certain unbilled charges older than 12 months, subject to conditions and exceptions; they do not cancel every older energy debt.

“I think there has been a mistake”

Tell the verified firm if it has the wrong person and ask it to investigate. Supply only information needed to resolve the issue, and keep a record. Do not assume a particular document search will automatically stop contact.

I have made it easy to ask for proof of the debt. Download the MoneyNerd prove-it letter template to save yourself lots of time. 

You can also use one of my free letter templates to tell Sonex that you think your debt is statute-barred.

Many ordinary unsecured debts may become statute-barred after six years in England and Wales, or prescribed after five years in Scotland. The start date, debt type, payments, legally relevant acknowledgments and any court claim all matter. A creditor’s letter alone does not restart the period. Ask a debt adviser to check the facts before paying or admitting liability, and respond to any court papers on time.

Ask an adviser to check how the rules apply to the account, especially if a judgment, mortgage or statutory debt is involved.

Different rules apply to debts such as tax, council tax, mortgage shortfalls and debts already covered by a judgment or decree. A CCJ does not expire or cancel the debt when its six-year credit-file entry ends; some later enforcement needs court permission. Get advice on the particular debt and enforcement method.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

They proved I owe the money

If the balance is valid and enforceable, discuss an affordable way forward after essentials and priority bills. Do not assume the creditor will or will not bring proceedings.

Sonex says it tailors support to vulnerable circumstances. Explain the help you need and what you can afford; a particular repayment offer or write-off is not guaranteed.

How do they chase debts?

Sonex Financial will likely write you a letter to inform you that they are working on behalf of another company, such as an energy company. They will tell you that they want to recover an unpaid debt or arrears owed to that company. 

Ask the verified firm to explain the balance and available support. Any arrangement should reflect reasonable living costs and priority commitments.

Sonex’s description of its service is not proof that its approach is always less aggressive than another firm’s. Keep evidence of your own experience and complain about inappropriate conduct.

Typical Debt Collection Process

I’ve put together this table that will help you better understand the debt collection process. If you want to learn more about the key stages and actions involved, don’t forget to check out our detailed guide.

Thousands have already tackled their debt

Every day, our partner, The Debt Advice Service, helps people understand their options for dealing with debt. Their debt advice is free, with no obligation to proceed.

MoneyNerd introduces you to The Debt Advice Service. We do not provide debt advice or recommend debt solutions.

Natasha

Very helpful and informative thank you

Get started

If you submit the enquiry form, MoneyNerd will share your details with The Debt Advice Service so they can contact you.

Some debt solutions have fees and may negatively affect your credit rating. MoneyNerd may receive a fee if you go ahead with a debt solution through The Debt Advice Service.

The Debt Advice Service is a trading style of Pacific Financial Solutions Limited.

For free, impartial help and access to not-for-profit debt advice, visit MoneyHelper.

I can’t afford to pay

If Sonex Financial has proved that you owe the debt, but you can’t afford to pay, you may wish to consider a debt solution.

There are several different debt solutions available, so I recommend speaking to a debt charity.

There are several debt charities in the UK that offer services for free, and I have linked a few at the bottom of the page. Their advisers will be able to walk you through your debt relief options in detail and find the best debt solution 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.

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 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 the usual 12-month DRO period, recovery of listed qualifying debts is restricted and you generally do not pay those debts. Continue paying essential ongoing bills and excluded debts. A DRO does not prohibit every required creditor notice.

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 bankruptcy process. Scotland’s Minimal Asset Process is a route into bankruptcy for people who meet its conditions. Its application fee has been removed. Ask an approved Scottish money adviser to compare it with the alternatives and explain the effects on assets, credit and income.

How do I complain?

An ordinary debt collector has no right to force entry or seize goods. A visit must comply with applicable contact and privacy rules; there is no blanket ban on every doorstep visit. FCA rules prohibit workplace visits without prior consent for regulated consumer-credit collection. A collector must protect your privacy and must not disclose a debt to an unrelated person without a lawful basis. Contact with someone you have authorised, such as a debt adviser, is different. Keep evidence of any improper disclosure and complain.

Make your first complaint to Sonex 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.

Complain to the firm first and keep copies and call logs. For an eligible regulated financial complaint, you can normally approach the Financial Ombudsman Service after a final response or after eight weeks without one, usually within six months of the final response. The Ombudsman can require a remedy or compensation; it does not impose regulatory fines. Tax, council and other non-credit debts may have different complaint routes. For an energy-supply or billing dispute in Great Britain, complain to the supplier first; the Energy Ombudsman may be available after deadlock or eight weeks. Northern Ireland has different consumer complaint arrangements.

Sonex Financial Contact Details

References

1. Sonex Financial: official contact and complaints information