Intrum Debt Collection Chasing Old Debt? What Are Your Rights?

Are you being harassed by a debt collection company? Are you asking, ‘Why is Intrum Debt Collection chasing old debt’? If so, this post is for you.

I’ll explain why Intrum would get in touch and what happens when you ignore them. Read on to find out how to respond to a debt letter so you achieve a better outcome!

Do you have to pay Intrum Debt Collection?

You might not have to pay Intrum Debt Collection.

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.

 Is Intrum a debt collection agency?

Yes. Intrum is a debt collection company that provides a recovery service across Europe with offices in various locations.

They refer to themselves as a ‘debt purchase collection’ company that works across a number of sectors.

Is Intrum regulated?

Yes. Not only is Intrum regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) but it’s also a Credit Services Association (CSA) member.

Therefore, Intrum has agreed to adhere to the CSA Code of Conduct when they collect debts. Whether they’re working for themselves or on behalf of other lenders.

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.

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Who uses the debt collection company’s services?

Intrum could collect debts on behalf of other lenders/creditors. Or they could have purchased debts from other companies.

The sectors the debt collection company covers include:

• Credit card companiesUnpaid loans
• Retail sector
• Utility providers
• Telecommunications
• Banks
• Store card providers

If Intrum purchases a debt with your name on it, you no longer have to deal with the original creditor but with Intrum Limited.

Why would Intrum contact you about an old debt?

Intrum will contact you when they are working on behalf of another creditor, or because they purchased a debt with your name on it.

So, if you owed money, to say, eBay and failed to pay, you could get a call or letter from Intrum debt collectors. They collect older purchased debts!

When a debt collection company buys debts, they pay a fraction of the price. It means that Intrum stands to make a massive profit when they recover an outstanding debt successfully.

Should you ignore a debt collection company?

No. It’s never wise to the bin and ignore a debt collection company when they contact you. It won’t make the problem go away and an Intrum debt collection agent could be persistent.

In short, you’d likely receive lots of threatening phone calls, texts, emails and letters!

A debt collection agent could show up at your home to discuss things with you! But they must let you know they’re coming beforehand.

Even when you are certain the debt isn’t yours, it’s still best to respond to Intrum when they get in touch. You should tell them they’re chasing the wrong person but do so in writing.

Also, send the letter to their head office by registered post and don’t sign the letter either!

Check out what happened to one person

Source: Moneysavingexpert

What happens when you ignore Intrum?

Things get complicated and a lot more stressful when you ignore letters from debt collection companies.

You’ll receive letters threatening legal action. There’ll be lots of phone calls, and texts demanding payment for money owed.

You may also not be made aware of vital information which includes:

• Discovering the debt is too old to enforce through the courts because its statute barred but Intrum is still chasing you for payment
• Finding out Intrum has contacted the wrong person because the outstanding debt has nothing to do with you

Will Intrum take you to court?

You could face legal action whether Intrum purchased the debt or they’re acting on behalf of a client. Debt collection companies always threaten to take you to court.

But often it’s a scare tactic to get you to pay!

However, a debt collection agency may not start legal action to recover an outstanding debt that’s too old to enforce.

Before Intrum can start legal proceedings, they must send you a Letter Before Action (LBA). It’s a notification of intended court action if you ignore or refuse to settle an outstanding debt.

You shouldn’t ignore a Letter Before Action because things could escalate and you may get a County Court Judgement recorded on your credit file.

How long does a CCJ stay on a credit report?

A CCJ stays on your credit record for six years and it’ll make it hard for you to get a credit card, bank loan or mortgage!

An enforcement agent (bailiff) could visit you at home and seize some of your assets/possessions if a judge issues an order to pay. You could get an attachment order placed on your earnings or bank account!

Can an Intrum debt collection agent enter your home?

No. Debt collection agents can’t force their way into your home. Their powers are the same as those of the original creditor.

You should talk to the field agent through an upstairs window or letterbox and not open the door to them!

You also have the right to tell a debt collection agent to leave your property which they must respect. You can file a complaint against them if a field agent refuses to leave.

How should you respond to Intrum?

You should respond in writing to Intrum when they contact you. Even when the debt is too old to enforce or it’s not yours.

Send a letter by registered mail telling Intrum they’ve contacted the wrong person.

Or you can tell them the debt is statute-barred and therefore, they should stop harassing you!

Harassing behaviour on the part of a debt collection company is unlawful and you can report them if it happens to you.

Make sure you don’t sign the letter. Instead, print your name at the end of it.

Should you seek independent debt advice?

Yes. It’s always a good idea to seek independent advice when a debt collector contacts you.

Intrum must allow you enough time to discuss things with either a charity or an independent debt adviser. But let the debt collector know which prevents them from taking the matter further.

You have the right to find the best debt management plan available and an adviser can help you do this. But, as mentioned if the debt is statute-barred, it can’t be enforced through the courts!

Is the Intrum debt too old to enforce?

You may find the debt you’re being chased for is statute-barred. You may not have to pay if it’s six years old!

Intrum can’t pursue you through the courts when a debt is six years old and you can’t receive a County Court Judgement either.

When is a debt too old to enforce?

A debt is deemed too old to enforce when it’s six years old. But there are criteria which must be met which I’ve listed here:

• You haven’t admitted owing the money in six years
• You didn’t pay any money towards settling the debt in six years
• A County Court Judgement (CCJ) hasn’t been registered against the debt in question

You can’t be taken to court over an outstanding debt if all of the above apply to it. Courts won’t take on cases involving older debts which means Intrum can’t threaten you with legal action!

You should write a letter to the debt collection company telling them to stop harassing you and send it by registered post.

Is the outstanding debt yours?

Once you’ve established the debt isn’t too old to enforce, you should write to Intrum asking them to ‘prove’ you owe money on an outstanding debt.

Intrum has an obligation to prove you owe the money. They can’t just say you do!

Mistakes happen or the debt collector could have sent out hundreds of letters to different people hoping to find the person who owes the money!

The evidence Intrum provides must be authenticated by the original lender/creditor. So, the proof could be a copy of a credit agreement or some other contract you entered into with a lender/creditor.

If Intrum can’t provide solid evidence you owe money on an outstanding debt, they can’t force you to pay.

Again, make sure you send the prove the debt letter to the debt collector by registered post, and don’t sign it.

Can a debt collection company authenticate credit agreements?

No. All copies of credit agreements and other contracts must be authenticated by the original lenders/creditors.

Intrum Limited cannot authenticate copies of the agreements!

What can Intrum Ltd do?

As a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA), Intrum must abide by its Code of Conduct when they collect debts.

They must also follow the law which includes abiding by privacy laws and their rights.

Also, The Office for Fair Trading and the Financial Conduct Authority set out rules that all debt collectors must follow.

Intrum can legally do the following when they contact you about an alleged outstanding debt:

• Call you on the phone, text you, send you emails and letters. A debt collection agent can visit you at home if all other methods fail but must warn you beforehand
• Talk to you politely and discreetly about an alleged debt
• Ask you to pay the outstanding debt to them directly rather than to the original lender/creditor

What can’t a debt collection company do?

A debt collection company would be acting unlawfully if they do any of the following:

• Allow a field agent to force entry into your home
• Clamp vehicles or seize possessions
• Harass you with includes making lots of phone calls
• Act in a threatening manner
• Talk to your neighbours, friends, employer or a family member about an alleged debt which contravenes your privacy
• Visit or call you at work
• Make out they have the same legal power as a court-appointed bailiff (enforcement officer)
• Use papers and documents which look like a court issued them
• Pressure you to apply for more loans to settle their outstanding debt
• Refuse to leave your property when you’ve asked them to

If a debt collection company does any of the above, you can report them to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

The FOS should investigate your complaint and could take a debt collector’s licence to operate away.

You could be compensated for the anxiety and stress they caused you!

However, you should file a complaint with Intrum first. However, if they don’t deal with your complaint promptly and correctly, you can then contact the FOS.

Can you offer a part payment to Intrum?

Yes. If the debt is proven to be yours, you could offer a partial payment to settle the debt.

However, you should discuss things with an independent adviser beforehand. But let Intrum know so they don’t escalate the matter and it stops them from sending more threatening letters!

Could Intrum reject a debt settlement offer?

Yes. Debt collection companies aren’t obliged to accept debt settlement offers. 

They could reject your offer for several reasons which I’ve listed below:

• The offer is too low and the original creditor rejected it
• Intrum purchased the debt and is looking for a higher settlement

What’s a fair settlement offer?

Most debt collection companies will accept a settlement offer of 75% of the outstanding amount.

So, if your proven debt with Intrum is £1,000, you could make an offer of £750 which is a good starting point.

However, Intrum is not obliged to accept your offer! The debt collector could hold out for more.

Will Intrum give up chasing you?

No. Debt collection agencies rarely give up pursuing debts whether they’re acting on behalf of a client or they purchased an older debt!

Moreover, they have the tools to trace people who owe money which makes it easier to find debtors.

Can you file a complaint against Intrum Limited?

You have the right to file a complaint against Intrum if you feel the debt collector harassed you, or acted unlawfully or inappropriately.

First, file your complaint with Intrum. If you’re not happy with the way the debt collector deals with your complaint, you can then contact the Financial Ombudsman Service.

How do you contact Intrum?

I’ve listed ways to contact Intrum in the table below:

What free debt advice is there?

Numerous UK charities provide free debt advice when you need it. I’ve listed three of them below:

• National Debtline 
• Citizens Advice
• Step Change Debt Charity

“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

Finally, Should you pay an old debt Intrum is chasing you for?

You should pay Intrum debt collectors without first establishing the debt is yours and that it’s not statute-barred.

A statute-barred debt can’t be enforced through the courts! Also, mistakes happen and Intrum could be chasing the wrong person. In short, the debt might not be yours.

The one thing you shouldn’t do is bin a debt letter and ignore things because debt collection companies are persistent!

Moreover, ignoring Intrum could just make matters worse and you could miss out on finding out important information. For example, the debt isn’t yours or it’s too old to enforce!