Know your rights and stop illegal debt collection calls
Under UK law, debt collectors must follow strict rules or they're breaking the law. You can demand proof of the debt, request they stop contacting you, and report harassment to the FCA. Debts over 6 years old with no contact are "statute barred" and collectors cannot take legal action. Send a formal cessation letter to stop harassment immediately.
Record all calls, emails, and letters with dates, times, and details. Screenshot threatening messages. This proves harassment for complaints and legal action.
Demand they prove they own the debt and have the right to collect it. Send by recorded delivery. They must respond or cannot legally pursue the debt.
Send a formal letter banning contact by phone, email, or post. Report any breach to the FCA. Use our DebtShield tool to generate this letter.
This breaches FCA CONC 7 rules. Document each call with date and time. Send a formal complaint to the FCA and demand they cease contact by phone. Use DebtShield to generate your cessation letter.
FCA CONC 7 prohibits calls outside working hours. Calls before 8am, after 9pm on weekdays, after 1pm on Saturdays, or on Sundays are breaches. Report to the FCA and request they cease contact.
The debt is statute barred under the Limitation Act 1980. Collectors cannot take court action. Respond to any letter stating the debt is statute barred and they cannot pursue it legally.
If the debt is statute barred, these are empty threats and likely breaches of the Protection from Harassment Act. Demand proof of debt, request cessation, and report to the FCA.
Threats, swearing, and intimidation breach the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Document the abuse, request cessation of contact, and report to the FCA and local police.
Contacting family or workplace is considered harassment and breaches FCA rules. Request they cease all contact immediately and report to the FCA for misconduct.
No. Under FCA CONC 7, debt collectors must not call more than once per week, and only between 8am-9pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Calls outside these times or excessive calling may breach harassment rules.
A statute barred debt is one where no payment or acknowledgement has been made for 6 years (5 in Scotland). After this period, the creditor cannot take court action against you, though they may still pursue collection.
No. In the UK, you cannot be criminally prosecuted for owing money. However, creditors can obtain a County Court Judgment and enforce it through bailiffs or other means if you ignore a court case.
Threats of violence breach the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and FCA rules. Document the threat, request they stop contacting you, and report to the FCA or local police.
Yes. Under FCA CONC 7 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you can request they stop contacting you by phone, email, or post. They must comply or breach the law.
Debt validation requires the creditor to prove they own the debt and have the right to collect it. Send a statutory demand for proof within 30 days of first contact. If not proven, they may not continue collection.
Use our DebtShield tool to generate a formal cessation letter and document all harassment for FCA complaints.
Start DebtShield Now