They can contact you by letter, phone call or home visit but at all times they have to act within the law and obey a number of guidelines. You can find the most important of these in the Office of Fair Trading.

Unfair debt collection practices

This document sets out many examples of what the OFT consider to be unfair debt collection practices. These include:

• Calling you at work without permission
• Discussing your debts with an employer or family member
• Refusing to deal with advice agencies like us
• Pressuring you to borrow more money to pay off debts
• Pretending to have legal powers they do not have
• Adding unreasonable charges
• Continuing to contact you when the debt is being disputed

If a creditor repeatedly fails to follow these guidelines, the OFT can issue a warning, impose a fine or withdraw their credit licence.

The guidance is available to download free from the Office of Fair Trading website.

Debt advice from CCCS

If you are concerned about your level of debt, make sure you get professional debt advice as soon as possible. As the UK’s leading debt help charity, we provide free, impartial and professional advice and we can assist with a range of debt solutions free of charge.

For an online assessment of your situation and instant advice, visit CCCS Debt Remedy, our online debt counselling service.