How Do Debt Collectors Find You in the UK?

Have you wondered ‘how debt collectors find you in the UK’? If so, you are definitely not the only person who asked this question! I mean, how do they get hold of your home address, telephone number or email?

You’re in luck because I cover this in my post. So, read on to find out just how debt collectors get hold of your personal information!

Do you have to pay debt collectors?

You might not have to pay debt collectors.

If you genuinely can’t afford your debt repayments then looking into whether you could have your written off might be just what you need. 

If you want to find out whether you qualify for having debt written off or payments lowered then fill out the short form below.

How do debt collectors find you UK?

Debt collectors are persistent and will go out of their way to find you when chasing a debt. Whether they purchased the debt or they’re instructed by a company, getting your details is easy.

All debt collectors need to do is check with the original creditor. For example, if you defaulted on a phone bill, debt collectors just have to get the info from one of your bills. 

How do debt collectors find you when you’ve moved?

It can be harder for debt collectors to find you when you’ve moved house several times! But they are experts when it comes to tracking people down. For instance, a debt collector can check public databases which tells them your new address.

Another method debt collectors often use to track people down is to gain access to credit reports. But it’s expensive and the cost can add up when debt collectors need to track down a ton of debtors!

Check out what happened to one poor person when debt collectors contacted them:

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Can you lower your repayments?

If you’re struggling to pay back your debt, then you might qualify for a debt solution.

Some solutions lower your monthly payments while others write off a portion of your debt. 

To find out whether they could work in your situation, hit the button below.

Get Started

How hard is it for debt collectors to find you?

It can be pretty hard for debt collectors to find you. Especially when the population in the UK is well over 60 million people. It can be likened to finding a needle in a haystack!

Moreover, many people are hard to trace because they don’t have many financial commitments or pay bills!

Because it can be hard to trace you when you owe money, debt collectors use a scattergun technique! It’s an approach that sees debt collectors sending out letters to all the addresses they think a debtor might be at.

The hope is that one letter will get a response and maybe, even a payment!

The real downside to a scattergun technique is that lots of innocent people are suddenly incredibly worried about things!

Can debt collection agencies see your credit report?

Yes. Debt collection agencies have the right to see your credit report. They can, therefore, get hold of your personal information.

Then there are the Data Brokers who gather information about people so they can sell it to agencies! You may have filled out an online survey which means you’ve agreed to your data being collected.

This includes your contact details.

Do debt collection agencies use skip tracers?

Debt collection agencies may use Skip Tracers to track people down when they are untraceable. Skip Tracers can locate people when their contact details on public records are out of date.

So, if you had a debt on a car, Skip Tracers can get your information from the DVLA if you still possess the vehicle! Moreover, the fee is a mere £20 so it costs very little for Skip Tracers to find you.

What are Pretexters?

A Pretexter is someone who unlawfully gets your details using false pretences! They typically work on their own and collect people’s information to make money.

Pretexters pretend they are from a legitimate business and coerce you into providing them with your personal details. Once they’ve achieved this, a Pretexter then contacts your bank and pretends to be you!

Their actions are totally illegal and Pretexters would face prosecution if caught. That said, there have been reports that Pretexters have been used to locate debtors in the UK.

So, if you believe a debt collection agency used a Pretexter to get your information, you can sue them! Providing you’ve got solid proof, that is.

How do debt collectors find your bank account UK?

If the debt collector has purchased a debt, they can get access to your bank account by making an application to the courts for an ‘order to obtain information’. That said, you’d have to attend court to give the information under oath.

How often do creditors find people?

Debt collection agencies have various means and tools they can use to find people in the UK. Some are legal and some are definitely not! That said, if a person has moved several times over several years, it makes it harder for them to be found.

If, however, a debtor only moved house once and regularly pays utility bills etc they can easily be found!

What should I not tell debt collectors?

There are things you should avoid telling a debt collector which I’ve listed here:

• Your personal financial information
• Social Security number
• Details of properties you own
• Admit liability

What happens when a debt has a CCJ attached to it?

If you try to hide and you have a debt with a CCJ attached to it, things get very messy. For example, you may have to face further court proceedings and declare any assets you own.

Then an Order to Obtain could be issued which means a creditor can access details about your circumstances. You’d have to face a judge and tell them where you live!

Who can you report debt collectors to?

You can report a debt collection agency when they use intimidating tactics when they contact you.

I’ve listed the contact details for the Financial Ombudsman Services here:

Lastly, how do debt collectors find you UK?

The task of finding debtors in the UK is simpler today than ever before because everything is ‘connected’. That said, debt collection agencies must remain within the law when tracking you down. If they don’t, you have the right to sue them.

Also, being in debt is not a crime and you’d never have to pay more than you can actually afford. Providing you follow the right procedure that is!

“It will only get worse” 😩

It’s cliché to say, but with debt it’s true; the longer you leave it, the worse the problem gets. 

There are straightforward and effective ways to deal with debt, but you have to know your options. 

Fill out the short form to find out about the debt solutions that could reduce your monthly payments or even write off some of your debt.

Get Started

Thanks for reading my post on ‘how do debt collectors find you in the UK’. I hope you found the information useful and that it helps you solve a debt problem!