Do I have to pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents Debt?


Can you write off any Jacobs debt?

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How much debt do you have?

This isn’t a full fact find, Thrifty Family doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provides information about your options. 

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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Janine Marsh
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Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.

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- Financial Expert
Updated 08 December 2023
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Jacobs Enforcement Agents 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.

Getting a note from Jacobs Enforcement Agents about a debt can be scary. You may feel worried and unsure about what to do.

You’ve come to the right place. Each month, more than 12,000 people visit this site seeking advice on debts. 

In this article, we’ll explain:

  •  Who Jacobs Enforcement Agents are
  •  Why they might contact you
  •  What to do if they get in touch 
  •  How to check if the debt is really yours
  •  What help is available for dealing with debts

We know that dealing with debt can be hard; people who work on this site have been in the same spot. Don’t worry; we’re here to help.

Ready to find out more about what you can do if you have a debt with Jacobs Enforcement Agents? Let’s dive in!

Do you have to pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents?

You might not have to pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents.

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.


Can you write off any Jacobs debt?

1 of 5

How much debt do you have?

This isn’t a full fact find, Thrifty Family doesn’t give advice. We work with The Debt Advice Service who provides information about your options. 

Who are Jacobs Enforcement Agents?

Jacobs Enforcement Agents have been around for sixty-plus years. Their core business is debt collection. But like many other debt recovery companies, Jacobs purchases third-party debts.

They also act as Enforcement Agents previously known as bailiffs!

In short, the company buys a debt from another business for a discounted price and then chases you for payment. Naturally, the amount they chase you for is a lot more than Jacobs paid!

Hence, the profits are enormous!

Are Jacobs Enforcement Agents legit?

Yes. Jacobs Enforcement Agents is a legitimate business having been established for many years. The company specialises in corporate debt and is UK-based. That said, Jacobs also handles commercial and council tax debt recovery.

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

Are Jacobs enforcement agents bailiffs?

Yes. Jacobs Enforcement Agents are bailiffs or as they are called these days ‘Enforcement Agents’. They possess a court-issued certificate which gives Jacobs the power to act as bailiffs.

Jacobs is regulated by the Ministry of Justice.

Why would Jacobs Enforcement Agents contact you?

Jacobs Enforcement Agents may contact you over council tax or rent arrears. Or maybe you’re in corporate debt which is another arm of their recovery business. If so, Jacobs will contact you, sometimes relentlessly, to get you to pay!

Take a look at what one person had to deal with when Jacobs contacted them:

Source: Money Saving Expert

However, there are laws and rules and if Jacobs crosses the line, it could be deemed harassment. You could report them but first, file a complaint with Jacob’s head office in Birkenhead!

What should you do when Jacob contacts you?

Stay calm and find out if the debt is yours! Mistakes can and do happen. If the debt isn’t yours, Jacobs must stop contacting you. So, first, ask Jacobs to ‘prove’ the debt which they must do!

Second, find out if the debt is over six years old because if it is, the debt is statute-barred. In short, it’s no longer enforceable although it could still impact your credit rating.

The long and short of a statute-barred debt is:

  • You won’t get a County Court Judgement on your credit history
  • You can’t be chased for payment

A debt may be statute barred if the following applies:

  • You haven’t paid anything towards the debt
  • You haven’t admitted you owe the debt
  • There are no existing court proceedings to recover the debt 

What happens if Jacobs proves the debt is yours?

Jacobs must provide you with authenticated proof the debt is yours. For example, an authenticated copy of an agreement you entered into. You may have to pay Jacobs if they can prove the debt is yours.

But only when you’re sure the debt is not statute-barred. Seek advice from one of the debt charities before you agree, sign or pay anything over to Jacobs Enforcement Agents!

What happens if I don’t pay Jacobs?

Things could get messy and expensive if you don’t pay Jacobs and they’ve proved the debt is yours. For instance, you could end up facing court proceedings. You could get a CCJ registered against you.

Your credit rating could be ruined by a County Court Judgement!

So, don’t ignore correspondence from Jacobs Enforcement Agents. Instead, find out whether the debt is yours and whether it’s not statute-barred. If the debt is yours and it’s still current, negotiate an affordable payment plan with Jacobs.

Negotiate a repayment plan you can afford!

What can Jacobs legally do when they contact you?

There are regulations that must be followed by Jacobs. They are set out by the Office for Fair Trading (OFT). The guidelines state that:

  • You must be treated fairly and proportionately
  • You’re spoken to in clear and transparent terms
  • You’re treated with understanding and empathy

The legislation states that debt collectors may not legally do any of the following:

  • Force entry into your home without a court order
  • Use deceptive tactics to get you to pay
  • Encourage you to take out other loans to repay the debt
  • Pretend they have more powers than they really have
  • Threaten or harass you in any way
  • Discuss your debt with other people which breaches your privacy

You can report a Jacobs representative to the Financial Ombudsman if you feel they are acting unlawfully.

How do you contact Jacobs Enforcement Agents?

I’ve listed Jacobs Enforcement Agents’ contact details here:

By email: [email protected]
By phone 0345 601 2692
Online: Contact Page
In writing Jacobs 6 Europa Boulevard, Birkenhead Merseyside, CH41 4PE

What debt help is there?

Several recognised debt charities offer free, impartial advice to people who struggle with their finances. The advice you receive is free and could be invaluable when you’re not sure what to do!

I’ve listed some of them below:

“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

Lastly, do I have to pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents?

Whether you pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents or not depends on a few things. For example, is the debt yours? Maybe the debt is over six years old and therefore, statute barred?

So, the first thing you should do is ask Jacobs to prove the debt is yours. Next, establish the debt is not statute-barred.

You may have to pay if Jacobs proves the debt is yours with an authenticated copy of an agreement you signed. The best route forward is to negotiate an affordable repayment plan with Jacobs.

But seek independent advice from a debt charity first to make sure the plan you’re being offered is acceptable! That said, Jacobs must allow you the time to assess your situation so you can find the best solution.

Thanks for reading my post about a debt you’re being chased for. I hope the information helps answer the question ‘do I have to pay Jacobs Enforcement Agents debt or not?

The authors
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My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.
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How to beat Jacobs Enforcement Agents
How to beat Jacobs Enforcement Agents

Looking into debt solutions could help. 

  • Lower monthly payments
  • Reduce pressure from the people you owe
  • Affordable monthly repayments. 
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