Should I Pay or Ignore Arc Debt Collectors?

Has Arc Debt Collectors been in touch? It might make you worry about how to handle them.

You are not alone. Each month, more than 12,000 people visit this site for advice on debt problems, just like yours.

In this article, we’ll explore:

•  Who Arc Debt Collectors are and why they might contact you.
•  If you must pay Arc Debt Collectors and what happens if you don’t.
•  Ways to lower your repayments to Arc Debt Collectors.
•  How to check if a debt is really yours or not.
•  What Arc Debt Collectors can and can’t do to collect a debt.

We realise how hard it can be when you owe money; some of our team have found themselves in the same boat. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back, offering you clear, factual advice.

Why would ARC Europe Limited Contact you?

ARC may be chasing you for payment on behalf of another company. It could be one of their clients who passed your details on to them.

Maybe, ARC purchased the debt and is chasing you for payment themselves!

Either way, when you get a letter, phone call, or text from debt collectors, it’s about an alleged owed debt!

How should you respond to ARC Europe Limited?

Rather than bin letters from ARC, you should respond to them whether you owe money or not!

However, you should first check all the details on a debt letter and that the amount of money owed is correct.

If necessary, seek advice from an independent debt adviser before you respond to ARC. But don’t wait too long because they might escalate the matter.

Should you sign the letters you send to ARC Europe Ltd?

No. You shouldn’t sign any letters you send to debt recovery companies. Why? Because not all of them are ethical and some could use your signature on other documents.

It’s unlawful, but it’s a tactic some recovery agencies could use in an attempt to get you to pay. Not all debt recovery companies act ethically or lawfully. Some are known to use deceitful and misleading tactics which are illegal!

As an example, they could use your signature fraudulently on a payment plan you never agreed to!

Is the debt actually yours?

You should always check if the debt is yours! Mistakes happen and debt recovery agencies send out hundreds of letters to people about a single debt.

It’s their way of finding the person who owes money either to them or to one of their clients. 

So, you should write back to ARC Europe Ltd asking them to ‘prove’ you owe money on a debt. They must respond to your letter in a timely manner.

Also, the proof they provide can’t just be something they claim whether verbally or in writing.

Debt recovery agencies must provide an authenticated copy of a credit agreement or other contract you signed. You should NOT sign a ‘prove it letter’ and you should send it by registered post!

Can debt collectors authenticate a copy of a credit agreement?

No. Debt collectors can’t authenticate copies of credit agreements or other contacts.

Only the original creditor or an authorised person can authenticate the copies!

So, don’t accept a verbal confirmation or written confirmation from ARC that you owe the money. You should always insist on having authenticated copies of Credit Agreements or other contracts you signed.

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Should you offer ARC a partial payment?

There are things you can do when you owe the money and ARC has proved it. You should seek advice from an independent debt adviser and then offer to make a partial payment to resolve the money outstanding.

It’s worth noting that ARC has no obligation to accept offers of partial payments whether they own the debt or not.

Would ARC Europe Ltd accept a debt settlement offer?

ARC Europe Ltd may accept a debt settlement offer but it’d depend on several things.

For example, whether they accept your offer could depend on the following:

• Did ARC buy the debt and they’re chasing you themselves?
• Is the debt collection agency acting on behalf of a client?
• Are you offering enough money to settle the debt?

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

What happens when you ignore ARC Europe Limited?

Things can get complicated and messier when you ignore ARC Ltd. Debt collectors are persistent and will keep contacting you.

First, you’ll get threatening letters demanding payment even if you don’t owe money to anyone that you know of! In short, you don’t know why the debt collector is getting in touch with you.

Next, you could receive a Letter Before Action (LBA) which is a notification that you could face court proceedings.

If you keep ignoring an ARC debt collector, a field agent could visit you at home to discuss things.

What can ARC Europe Ltd do?

ARC Europe Ltd have the right to get in touch with you whether on behalf of a client or because they bought the debt.

However, they must remain within the law when they get in touch.

ARC Europe Ltd can:

• Contact you about an alleged debt whether it’s by letter, email, text, phone or in person. That said, a representative would only usually visit your home if all other ways of getting in touch have failed
• Talk to you civilly about an alleged debt. A field agent should show empathy and understanding about your personal circumstances when discussing money owed by you
• Request that you settle money owed to them directly rather than to their client

What can’t debt collection agencies legally do?

Not all debt collection agencies act lawfully and some use deceitful tactics to get you to settle.

They cannot lawfully say or do any of the following when they contact you about an alleged debt:

• They can’t force their way into your home, seize your possessions or clamp vehicles
• Tell you they have the same powers as a court-appointed bailiff (now known as enforcement officers)
• Show you papers and other documents which look like they’ve been issued by the courts
• Visit you at work
• Discuss an alleged debt with your boss in an attempt to embarrass you
• Talk to your neighbours, friends or a family member about the money you allegedly owe
• Pressure you to apply for further credit to pay the money owed to them
• Harass you with constant phone calls, texts, emails etc

ARC Europe Ltd must respect the UK’s privacy laws and your rights as a consumer when they get in touch.

If one of their debt collection agents acts inappropriately or unlawfully, you have the right to report them to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

But you must file a complaint with ARC first.

Should ARC let you seek independent advice?

Yes. All debt recovery companies must allow you sufficient time to seek independent advice.

Like this, an adviser would let you know which debt solutions are best for you. It’s essential that you opt for the right debt management plan or it could land you in more financial trouble.

 Can you complain about ARC Europe Ltd?

If you feel Arc Europe Ltd Debt Collection is acting unlawfully or against the Credit Services Association guidelines, you can report them to The Office for Fair Trading.

Debt collection companies could lose their licence to operate in the UK.

You can also report deceitful behaviour to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

How do you contact ARC Europe Ltd?

You can contact ARC Europe Ltd in various ways which I’ve listed in the table below: