4 things you’ve got wrong about debt collectors

The threat of a visit from the debt collectors can be incredibly scary, so it’s worth knowing what to expect.

There are few things scarier than the threat of a visit from a debt collector. If lenders are chasing you for money you can’t afford to give them, and you’re worried about finding a debt collector on your doorstep, here are four things to remember:

1. A debt collector is not a bailiff:

Courts appoint bailiffs and they have to follow a strict set of rules. They usually visit people who are in arrears for council tax, income tax or court fees.

2. They can’t force entry:

While a bailiff has the power to force entry into your home if you have previously invited them in, a debt collector can’t. And if you ask them to leave, they must.

3. They can’t take your possessions:

If you’ve been warned that a debt collector could visit, you don’t need to hide all of your belongings. They don’t have the authority to take them away and sell them.

4. They can’t tell your neighbours:

In fact, a debt collector does not have the right to tell anyone about your debts. And they can’t threaten to tell them either.

If you’re struggling to pay your debts, you can speak to a debt collector about the possibility of working out a new repayment plan.

If this seems too daunting, you can get advice from the Money Advice Service, or speak to a qualified and experienced money advisor like us. We can tell you about the debt solutions that are most suited to your situation.

To find out whether a debt solution could help you get back in control of your finances, take our Money Smart Report. It only takes a few minutes and it could set you on a path to becoming debt-free.