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Thomas Higgins Bailiffs Debt – Should You Pay Back Debt?

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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
&
Janine
Janine Marsh Profile Picture

Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.

Learn more about Janine
· Jan 22nd, 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.

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Thomas Higgins Bailiffs Solicitors Debt Collectors

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 dealing with Thomas Higgins Bailiffs about a debt? You’ve come to the right place for answers.

Every month, over 170,000 people come to our website for advice on dealing with debts. We understand that it can be scary when bailiffs like Thomas Higgins are involved. You might worry about them coming to your home or taking your things, but we’re here to help.

In this article, we will explain:

  • How to check if the debt is really yours.
  • Who Thomas Higgins are and why they might be calling you.
  • How to stop them from contacting you.
  • What to do if they visit your home or take your goods.
  • Different ways you can deal with the debt, including payment plans and how to legally write off some of it.

Our team has experience with debt collectors, so we know what you’re going through. We are here to give you the information and help you need.

Let’s start dealing with your Thomas Higgins debt together.

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.

Why Do They Keep Calling?

It’s likely you owe some form of debt. If you have never heard of Thomas Higgins Limited before, you would be forgiven for wondering whether they are even a legitimate company. They are so if they are contacting you about debt, it is not a good idea to just ignore them, because they are debt collectors. There are lots of reasons why they may be contacting you, and these are just some of the types of debt you may have:

  • Payday loans or credit cards
  • Income tax
  • Unpaid court fines
  • Tax overpayments

You take out the credit with the lending company, and when they have tried to contact you without success, they often reach out to debt collection agencies like Thomas Higgins. Thomas Higgins will buy the debt, and then try every possible way to get you to pay it. These are some companies they have been known to deal with:

  • Mobile phone companies
  • HMRC
  • Local council

It is not really worth their while to buy debt individually, so they usually purchase it in bundles and get a better deal. They make a profit when you make payments to the debt so they can be determined when you owe money to them. As they pay a small amount for the debt, it can prove to be quite lucrative for them.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

How to Stop Contact from Thomas Higgins

The best way to stop Thomas Higgins from contacting you is to pay the debt you owe. Alternatively, if you reach an agreement to repay the debt, they will usually get off your case. You should never ignore them, as that is the way to ensure you won’t get rid of them! They will keep trying until you finally give in and answer them.

If Thomas Higgins are intending to visit your property to discuss the debt you owe, they should give you 7 days’ notice. This can be a terrifying prospect and the best way to stop it from happening is simply to speak to them. If you contact them, they will be willing to come to a suitable arrangement with you to repay the debt.

There are some rules and regulations as far as what bailiffs like Thomas Higgins can do. These are some of the rules they must abide by:

  • They must not send letters that are made to look like court documents
  • They do not have the right to contact you at unreasonable times
  • They cannot contact you at your workplace if you have advised them not to.
  • They must use clear and concise language that you will understand

The best thing to do in this situation is to pick up your phone and speak to Thomas Higgins. Do not be tempted to ignore bailiffs, as you will end up with extra charges. They may also decide to visit your home to try and recover the debt.If the debt they’re claiming does not belong to you, and they insist it is, ask them to provide you with evidence. The Financial Conduct Authority’s guidelines have more information on this (see section 7).

Preparing for a visit from Thomas Higgins?

If Thomas Higgins agents turn up at your door, you are not required to allow them to enter your property. The only exception would be if you have unpaid court fines or other serious debt. They must also be able to prove they have the right to enter, such as having a warrant with them. They may end up using a locksmith to gain entry if you will not let them in. They must not break the door down under any circumstances.

If someone does show up at your door from Thomas Higgins, ask them for identification, do not just let them in as realistically, it could be anyone! These are some types of ID that would be acceptable:

  • Information that shows who they are, such as an ID badge.
  • Proof of the company they’re working on behalf of (such as Thomas Higgins)
  • Proof of the debt owed, including your outstanding balance as well as all fees and charges.
  • Proof that they have the right to force entry, such as a warrant

You shouldn’t ever let anyone into your property without this evidence, as there are lots of scammers out there! It is better to be safe than sorry, so just request these at the doorstep.

If they cannot provide you with suitable evidence that they have the right to even be there, let alone enter your property, you should contact the head office of Thomas Higgins, and either arrange payment or request that they update their records, if they are incorrect.

If you fail to provide evidence that it is not your debt or arrange to make payment, they will keep visiting you. It is less stress and hassle just to deal with them.

Thomas Higgins Have Entered My Property and Taken My Goods – What Now?

If an agent from Thomas Higgins has already been into your property and taken some of your possessions as payment for the debt, it is not too late to sort out the situation. The key here is to deal with the situation as quickly as possible.

The best option for recovering the goods is by paying the debt or arranging to pay it before they get the chance to sell them. Another option is to buy the items back and this would go towards the debt payment.

If you believe that Thomas Higgins has failed to adhere to the correct legal procedure, you could get your items back without even making any payment. You can contact Citizens Advice for more guidance on how to do this.

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

Other options for dealing with Thomas Higgins

If you have received evidence that the debt is yours and enforceable, you will need to pay it. But what if you can’t afford to? You might need to consider a debt solution.

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.

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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How do I make a complaint against Thomas Higgins Bailiffs?

If you think that Thoams Higgins 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.

Make your first complaint to Thomas Higgins directly 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, Thomas Higgins may be fined. You could even be owed compensation.

Thomas Higgins Ltd Contact Details

Website: https://www.thomashiggins.com/
Phone number: 0151 452 0452
Address: Lloyds Chambers, 19-21 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4TH
Contact Us online form: https://www.thomashiggins.com/contact-us.html

What is the Debt Breathing Space Scheme?

You might be worried about further debt letters from Thomas Higgins while you try to find a solution. It might be time to look into the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space) from the government.

The Breathing Space scheme gives you a moment to get some advice or even start a debt solution. It started in May 2021 and gives you 60 days of no added fees, added interest, or enforcement action once you have passed the eligibility checks.

There are two types of breathing space that you can apply for:

  • A standard breathing space: available for anyone with debt problems. It lasts for 60 days.
  • A mental health crisis breathing space: available to those who are receiving mental health crisis treatment. It lasts for however long treatment takes, plus 30 days. 

This scheme is not available in Scotland. Instead, you will need to apply for a Statutory Moratorium.

FAQs

What rights will I have if a bailiff shows up?
Bailiffs only have the right to come to your property between 6am and 9pm and they must give you 7 days notice. They are not permitted to use any force to try and gain entry,
Can a bailiff visit more than once?
Yes, they can visit as many times as they want. There is no limit on how often they may visit.
What happens if I refuse entry to bailiffs?
If you don’t let them in, the may return with a locksmith.
What happens if a bailiff breaks down my door?
They do not have the right to break down your door. If they do, contact the police!
Can bailiffs remove my car if I need it for work?
Bailiffs may take your car, if they have no other choice. They don’t really care if you need it for work, they will still remove it!
Is Thomas Higgins Legit?
Yes, Thomas Higgins is a legit debt recovery company. Thomas Higgins is a firm specialising in debt collection with more than 4 decades of experience. If you’re unsure whether a debt collection service is legitimate, always look for a company number. Thomas Higgins’ company number is 10177315.
Will I lose my home if I don’t pay my Thomas Higgins debt?
Not likely – several steps must be taken first.

Unsecured debts (which constitute the majority of debts handled by Thomas Higgins) are not secured against an asset, but if you fall significantly behind on your payments, Thomas Higgins Limited may seek to have the debt secured against your home.

This is accomplished through the use of a Charging Order, but only if Thomas Higgins Partnership is also successful in obtaining a County Court Judgment against you.
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.

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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.
Janine Marsh Profile Picture
Debt Expert
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.