Should I Pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Debt Collection?

Getting a letter saying you owe money is distressing. Especially when you don’t recognise who it’s from. It could leave you asking, “should I pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Debt Collection or not”?

I’ll explain who they are and why they could be contacting you in my post. I’ll also provide a little advice on how to deal with Mortimer Clark Solicitors when they get in touch.

For more information, check out my post below!

Do you have to pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors?

You might not have to pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors.

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.

Who are Mortimer Clarke solicitors?

Mortimer Clark Solicitors specialise in consumer debt recovery litigation. The law firm recovers debts on behalf of its customers having formed the company in 2007. Their head office is based in Worthing, West Sussex.

Is the debt collection agency regulated?

Yes. Like all debt recovery agencies, Mortimer Clark is authorised to operate in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

They are also members of the Credit Services Association (CSA) and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

As such, they should abide by the CSA code of conduct and UK laws when they contact you.

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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Is Mortimer Clark a legitimate debt collection company?

Yes. Mortimer Clark is a legitimate company that’s part of the Cabot Credit Management Group. That said, you’d be forgiven for thinking it could be a scam if you never had any previous dealings with the debt collector.

You can check their details on their website if you think the correspondence you receive from Mortimer Clarke is a scam. Plus, you can log onto Companies House to confirm the company is legitimate.

Who uses Mortimer Clarke debt collection services?

Mortimer Clark Solicitors collect debts for several customers in various public, and private sectors. I’ve listed a few of them here:

• PayPal
• Santander
• Natwest

Like many other debt collection agencies, Mortimer Clark also collects debts for credit card providers and other lenders which includes Hire Purchase companies. They also chase people for council tax arrears.

They have been known to collect debts for companies like Marlin Europe.

Does Mortimer Clark buy debts?

Yes. Mortimer Clark could purchase debts from other companies. They buy debt portfolios for a fraction of their value. It means their profit margins are huge when they successfully recover debts they own.

When debt collectors contact you, they may have purchased the debt from another company or they could be acting on behalf of a customer.

Why would Mortimer Clarke Solicitors contact you?

Chances are the original creditor tried to get in touch with you without success. When this happens, some creditors are quick to pass your details to a debt recovery company.

As such, Mortimer Clark Solicitors could contact you. They could write to you, send you an email or they may try to contact you by phone.

As mentioned, they could be acting on behalf of a customer who passed your details to them to recover an outstanding balance. Or, they may have purchased the debt and are pursuing you for payment for themselves.

The one thing to bear in mind, is that every letter and communication will be more threatening than the last one!

Should you ignore Mortimer Clark Solicitors?

No. It’s never wise to ignore Mortimer Clark Solicitors because it will make things much harder to resolve. Debt recovery companies are renowned for being tenacious.

In short, companies like Mortimer Clark won’t stop pursuing you for payment if you ignore them.

Would Mortimer Clark take you to court?

If Mortimer Clark purchased the debt from another company, the debt collector could start legal proceedings themselves.

However, if they’re acting on behalf of a customer, they could advise the client to take you to court. In this instance, it’s up to the original lender/creditor to start legal proceedings against you if they want to.

Could you get a County Court Judgement on your credit file?

You could get a County Court Judgment (CCJ) for ignoring and refusing to pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors if they’ve proven the debt.

A court will issue an order to pay which makes you liable for the outstanding balance owed.

A CCJ stays on your credit file for six years and you’d have trouble getting a bank loan, credit card, or mortgage for this amount of time!

It’s far better to prevent this from happening by negotiating an affordable monthly payment plan to settle the outstanding you owe. However, you should seek independent advice before agreeing to a payment plan!

Should you respond to Mortimer Clark?

Yes. Absolutely. It’s far better to respond to a debt collection agency rather than ignore things.

First, by contacting Mortimer Clark, you’d establish whether the debt is current or statute barred. Second, you can determine if the debt is actually yours!

Also, mistakes do happen and the debt recovery company could have the wrong person. Check out what happened to one person who posted this message on a popular forum.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Is the debt statute-barred?

You should always check whether a debt is statute-barred when debt collectors contact you about the money you allegedly owe. Mortimer Clark may have purchased a portfolio of older debts, one of which could be yours!

When a debt is statute-barred, it’s too old to enforce through the courts providing it means specific criteria, that is.

In short, you can’t be made to pay a debt that’s statute barred!

When is a debt too old to enforce?

As mentioned, a debt is too old to enforce when it meets specific criteria which I’ve listed below:

• The debt is at least 6 or more years old
• Nobody admitted owing the money in the six years, whether it’s the debtor or a representative
• No money was paid towards settling the debt in the six years
• A judge hasn’t registered a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against the debt

If the debt meets all of the above, it is deemed too old to enforce through the courts, so you can’t be forced to settle it!

Is the debt collector contacting the wrong person?

Next, find out whether Mortimer Clark is chasing the right person over an alleged debt. You have the right to ask a debt recovery agency to prove you owe the money even when you do.

Mortimer Clark may have already provided the proof, but if they haven’t, you should send them a ‘prove the debt’ letter. It’s up to them to provide hard proof the outstanding owed is yours to settle, not the other way around.

You shouldn’t just accept their word for it. Mortimer Clark must send you authenticated proof which could be a copy of a Credit Agreement or other contract.

What if Mortimer Clark can’t prove you owe the money?

You can’t be made to settle a debt if Mortimer Clark can’t provide proof that you owe the money.

Moreover, courts won’t rule in favour of a debt collection agency or original lender/creditor if there’s no proof the debt is yours.

What happens if Mortimer Clark proves you owe the money?

Unfortunately, you’ll have to settle the amount owed if Mortimer Clark proves the outstanding debt is yours!

However, you should seek independent advice before signing or agreeing to anything. Especially, if like many people, you’re experiencing financial hardship in these difficult times.

There are several debt charities in the UK and there are debt management companies too. Getting advice could help you sort out the right repayment plan before negotiating one with debt collectors!

If you choose the wrong debt solution, it could make your financial situation even worse!

What can debt collection companies do?

Debt companies like Mortimer Clarke must follow the law and the code of conduct when pursuing debts. They must respect privacy laws and your rights as a consumer!

That said, a Mortimer Clarke can:

• Call you on the phone, text you, send you emails and letters. They can also visit you in person if all other methods of contacting you are unsuccessful
• Discuss the problem with you but they must remain polite while at the same time showing empathy for your personal circumstances
• Ask you to pay them directly rather than the original lender/creditor

Is there anything debt collectors can’t do?

Yes. Debt collectors would be acting unlawfully and against the CSA code of conduct if they do or say any of the following things:

• Tell you they have more powers than they really have. For example, make out they are enforcement agents (bailiffs)
• Show you documents which look like a court has issued them when they have not
• Talk to you in a complicated way using lots of legal jargon to confuse you
• Urge you to borrow more money to repay what they say you owe
• Seize your possessions or clamp any vehicles
• Force their way into your property
• Visit you at your place of work
• Discuss an alleged debt with your neighbours, friends, employer or even a family member
• Harass you with phone calls, texts, and emails
• Threaten you

You have the right to lodge a complaint with Mortimer Clarke if one of their agents acts unlawfully. Moreover, the company must deal with the complaint promptly.

Can you report Mortimer Clarke Solicitors to the FOS?

If you still feel that Mortimer Clarke is not following the code of conduct or the law, you can report them to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

The ombudsman will investigate your complaint. You could be entitled to compensation if Mortimer Clarke is found to have acted unlawfully!

Moreover, the company could lose their licence to operate in the UK!

Will Mortimer Clark give up chasing you?

No. Rarely would Mortimer Clarke Solicitors give up chasing debtors for outstanding debts. In fact, these days, they have many tools to trace people who owe money.

It is their job to make sure outstanding debts get paid. In short, these companies do whatever is possible to collect debts!

Plus, some of the tactics companies use are suspect, to say the least!

How would you know if a debt has been sold?

You should have received two notifications. One from the original lender/creditor and the other one from the debt collection agency that purchased the debt.

For instance, if Mortimer Clarke Solicitors purchased the debt, they’d send you a letter in the post informing you they own an outstanding balance.

It means you have to deal with the debt collectors from that point on and not the original lender/creditor.

Moreover, The debt could be sold even if you already signed a payment arrangement with the original lender/creditor. Why? Because the original agreement you signed would typically have contained a clause that allows this to happen!

You shouldn’t ignore these notifications because debt collectors will soon escalate the matter to the courts.

Can you stop debt collection agencies from contacting you?

No. You can’t prevent them from contacting you whether they’re acting on behalf of a customer or pursuing a debt themselves.

However, you can send Mortimer Clarke Solicitors a letter telling them how you’d like to be contacted!

It’s always a good idea to ask debt collectors to contact you in writing by letter. Like this you have a record of their requests and demands should you face legal action.

Don’t sign the letter and send it by recorded delivery to make sure it arrives safely!

Can you complain about Mortimer Clarke?

Yes. You should file a complaint with Mortimer Clarke Solicitors if you feel they acted unlawfully or you felt harassed/threatened in any way.

Your complaint should be dealt with in a timely manner but you can escalate things to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you’re still not happy!

That said, you must complain to debt collectors before you contact the ombudsman!

How do you contact Mortimer Clarke Solicitors?

It’s always better to stay in touch with Mortimer Clarke Solicitors when they contact you. First, it prevents them from escalating the matter. Second, you can establish whether the debt is statute-barred. Third, you can check if the debt is yours!

I’ve listed ways you can contact Mortimer Clarke Solicitors in the table below:

You could use any of the above contact details to get in touch with Mortimer Clarke Solicitors.

Is there any free debt advice in the UK?

Luckily, there is free debt advice in the UK. Several charities provide advice to people who need help dealing with debt collection agencies and debts in general.

You should get in touch with one of them if you’re drowning in debt rather than bury your head in the sand and hope it all goes away!

Their advice could help you decide which debt solution would be the best fit. Moreover, Mortimer Clarke Solicitors must allow you the time to seek independent debt advice.

This way, you’ll know what kind of repayment plan is best for you before you negotiate with debt collectors!

I’ve listed several of the UK charities that provide free debt advice below:

• StepChange
• Advice Direct Scotland
• Citizens Advice
• National Debtline
• Money Advice Scotland

“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, should you pay Mortimer Clarke Solicitors or not?

You should first find out if the debt is statute-barred. Next, find out if the debt is truly yours if Mortimer Clarke hasn’t already proved it is!

That said, you should respond to a debt letter as soon as you can informing Mortimer Clarke of your intentions. For example, if you plan to seek independent debt advice, let the solicitors know!

Don’t ignore debt collectors because, unfortunately, they won’t go away. You’ll simply get bombarded with phone calls, texts, and emails. You may even have to deal with a field agent showing up at your home!

Ignoring things will just matters worse and harder to settle. Especially if a court issues an order for you to pay! You’d end up with a County Court Judgment (CCJ) on your credit report.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I hope the information clears up any questions you have about Mortimer Clarke Solicitors and what to do when they come calling over an alleged debt!