Are you being contacted by Andrew Wilson and Co and feeling uncertain about your next move? In the sea of debt collection, it’s crucial to navigate carefully to avoid sinking further.
Let’s dive into understanding who Andrew Wilson & Co. are and the steps you should take when dealing with them.
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If you’re being contacted by Andrew Wilson and Co debt collectors, it might be because you have not paid your council tax or rent or you have a large debt on a credit card that you’re finding difficult to pay off.
Let us guide on how you can handle this efficiently…
Who Are Andrew Wilson & Co Debt Collectors?
Based in Salford, London, and Bristol, Andrew Wilson and Co specialise in debt recovery. Working tirelessly, they chase up unpaid debts on behalf of businesses. From credit card arrears to payday loans, they’re on the case.
Sometimes, this firm does more than chase; they buy debts, owning them outright. It’s all above board, part of the deal in credit agreements.
Is Andrew Wilson & Co Legitimate?
Yes. As an arm of HMRC, they’re authorized to pursue debts like unpaid council tax and more. They’re not only legitimate; they’re a Civil Enforcement Association member committed to fair play. With their strong adherence to regulations, they are a trustworthy company.
So, if you receive a debt collection letter from them, do not ignore it, assuming it’s spam.
Why Are Andrew Wilson & Co Contacting Me?
Owing money can lead to calls from Andrew Wilson & Co. They might be a new name on your caller ID, representing someone you actually owe. Thus, they’re possibly holding the other end of your debt string.
Do Not Ignore Letters from Andrew Wilson & Co!
If you ignore letters from Andrew Wilson and Co, one of their agents will visit your home. But legally, they must allow you time to explore your options regarding your debt.
Many individuals assume that ignoring letters and calls will help them get rid of debt collectors or that they will give up. If you ignore them, there’s a risk of them taking further action and even taking your case to court.
How to Stop Home Visits from Andrew Wilson & Co
If you want to stop Andrew Wilson and Co from visiting your home, just respond to them. Communication is key, so let them know you’re on the case looking into your options. This shows you’re taking their notices seriously.
If their visits are too much, a complaint could be your shield.
Should You Pay Andrew Wilson & Co Outright?
If the debt is genuine and you can afford it, clearing it might be your smoothest path forward.
But if you’re uncertain about the debt and don’t recognise it, you might not have to pay.
There’s a path for those who find themselves in this foggy situation.
How Do I Verify Andrew Wilson & Co Debt?
If you’re unsure if a debt is yours, the best way to verify it is by demanding evidence. You can do this by sending a “Prove the Debt” Letter. If they fail to provide you proof, you’re not obligated to pay.
But note that it’s crucial you react swiftly to their claims, or you might be running up a tab in fees—or worse, facing court judgments such as County Court Judgments (CCJ).
What Action Can Andrew Wilson & Co Take?
When Andrew Wilson and Co come calling for debts, do you know what they can do? It’s a process designed to get your attention.
And yes, Andrew Wilson and Co can escalate to court action, but they’d rather not. They’re open to conversation and compromise. They should also get in touch with you and give you plenty of time to explore your options with regard to your debt.
Since legal action is expensive, they will prefer to negotiate alternative payment plans that you can manage without a hassle.
Will I Lose My Home if I Can’t Pay Off the Debt?
It’s unlikely, as they usually handle unsecured debts not tied to your home. Yet, there’s a ‘but’. A large, unpaid debt could lead to a Charging Order against your property.
But they can’t do this without a court’s say-so, giving you time to find a solution and avoid putting up your house as collateral.
How Do I Stop Andrew Wilson & Co Contacting Me?
So, Andrew Wilson & Co High Court Enforcement keep calling, and you want them to stop. Note that even if putting a stop to their reachouts is not possible, you can set communication preferences.
All you have to do is let them know a communication mode to contact you such as only through:
- Post
- Phone
If you ignore their reach outs, expect to receive continuous calls. However, they are obligated to follow the regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). A few things that go against the guidelines include:
- Threatening legal action even when they are aware that it won’t happen
- Sending letters that look like court forms
- Getting field agents to act like bailiffs
- Calling at unreasonable times of the day
- Sending bailiffs without a court order
- Chasing a debt that is being managed by an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
- Not respecting your contact preferences
- Talking to outsiders, such as family members or coworkers, about your debt
- Calling you at work without permission
- Forcing or advising you to take on more debt to pay off the current debt
- Not giving you a reasonable amount of time to make arrangements
- Trying to confuse the debtor by using legal jargon
How to Contact Andrew Wilson to Make a Complaint
If you think Andrew Wilson and Co crossed a line, don’t stay silent. Speak Up. If they’ve been unfair or broken FCA rules, lodge a complaint directly with them. It’s your right. This gives them the chance to resolve the matter themselves.
If you feel like they didn’t take your complaint seriously or address your issue, feel free to file a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). They will investigate the issue, and if your complaint is upheld, they will have to pay a fine, or you will be owed compensation.
You can contact Andrew Wilson and Co through:
- Phone: Dial 0161 925 1800 for a direct line to their office.
- Post: Prefer a letter? Send it to 26 Missouri Avenue, Salford, Manchester, M50 2NP.
- Email: Quick and easy, shoot an email to aw@andrewwilsonandco.com.
- You can also contact the Civil Enforcement Association, as they are registered under them.
Steps to Take to Deal with Andrew Wilson & Co
If you receive a letter from Andrew Wilson & Co High Court Enforcement, pause before you pay. Instead, follow the below steps:
3. Statute Barred?: According to the Limitation Act 1980, some debts have a time limit. In England, creditors can chase a debt for up to six years, starting from the last date you made the payment. After the six-year time period, the debt becomes statute-barred. So it becomes unenforceable.
In order for a debt to be statute-barred, it should meet the following criteria:
- You have not made any payments over the last six years
- You have not admitted to owing the debt (in writing) in the last six years
- You have not received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) for it.
What to Do if You Can’t Afford the Debt
Staring down a debt you can’t afford is like facing a giant with empty pockets. But there’s hope with Andrew Wilson & Co.
Reach out to them and inform them that you’re struggling to pay off the debt. A chat or a letter can start the process for a manageable payment plan. They should work with you, not against you.
So they will discuss with you and arrange an affordable payment plan over a reasonable time period.
But make sure to check if they’ve added any unfair interest rates, charges or penalties for taking up a payment plan.
If you’re finding it difficult to pay off the debt, you can consider taking up a debt solution. There are many debt solutions available in the UK, and some even help you to write off a portion of your unaffordable debt.
But note that while the right debt solution will help you to write off a portion of your debt, choosing the wrong one will be expensive and might even worsen your situation. So, we recommend you speak to a debt charity and get some advice regarding it.
Alternatively, feel free to fill out our online form, and our MoneyAdvisor Team will guide you on the best course of action.
A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is a type of informal agreement that helps you to pay a portion of your debt every month. Since it is informal, you’re not tied to a minimum number of payments.
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is an agreement to pay a portion of your debt every month for six years. During this time, your creditors agree not to contact you. An IVA lasts for 5 to 6 years. And any remaining debt after six years gets written off
Note that an IVA is not for everyone. In order to be eligible, you should owe several thousand pounds to multiple creditors. You should also prove that you have some disposable income every month.
Since IVAs are not available in Scotland, you will have to take up a Trust Deed instead. A Trust Deed is similar to an IVA. You should pay a portion of your debt every month, and your creditors agree not to contact you. By the end of the period, any remaining debt gets written off.
A Debt Relief Order (DRO) is suitable for you if you have little income and no assets. You don’t have to pay the debt for one year and your creditors freeze your interest. If your finances don’t show any improvement within a year, you may be able to get your debt written off.
You can declare Bankruptcy if you’re sure you can never pay off your debts. It has an unfair stigma attached to it, but it allows individuals to have a fresh start. But note that it is a serious financial situation, so you should not take it lightly.
The Scottish version of Bankruptcy is Sequestration. If you have no valuable assets and little income, you have the option of applying for a Minimal Asset Process Bankruptcy (MAP). It is a cheaper, faster, and much more straightforward version of sequestration.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay My Debts?
If you don’t pay your debts, a few things that will happen include:
- Your creditor will ask you to pay by sending you reminders
- Your account will default if you don’t make the payments
- If you keep ignoring paying the debt, your debt could get passed to an agency like Andrew Wilson & Co to chase you for the messed payments.
- If you don’t cooperate with the debt collectors, your creditor might decide to take legal action. This includes going to court and filing for a County Court Judgments (CCJ) against you.
What is a CCJ?
A County Court Judgement, or CCJ, is a judge’s decree that you owe money. Ignore it, and it will stain your credit report for six long years, which will make it difficult for you to obtain credit.
A CCJ consists of information such as:
- The amount you owe
- The amount you should pay
- Who you should pay it to
- The final date to pay
If you don’t make the payment within one month of receiving the CCJ, it will go into the records of the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines for a period of six years. If you pay the debt within six years, you can ask them to mark the judgement as ‘satisfied’ on the register.
To do this, write to the court stating that you have paid the full debt and send it with proof.
Also, once a CCJ is recorded on your credit file, it will make it difficult for you to obtain credit, as lenders will identify you as a high-risk customer. This is someone who finds it difficult to make payments on time.
But after six years, this will not be visible on your credit report, and you will find it easier to get credit once again.
Staying On Top Of Your Debts
In the debt world’s murky waters, it’s vital to remain vigilant. Debt collectors have many faces and names. So it’s important that you have a good idea regarding this.
A list of the largest debt collectors in the UK that operate under a different name include:
- Robinson Way will sometimes reach out to debtors as Hoist Finance
- Cabot Financial Group recently purchased Wescot Credit Services
- Credit Style also communicates as CST Law
- Lowell Financial owns Overdales, so they collect debts using both names
- PRA Group uses multiple names
If you have been reached out to by a debt collection company recently, it’s best you go through your emails and posts to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.
It’ll help you identify if they have started contacting you under a different name.
Andrew Wilson & Co Contact Details
| Phone: | 0428 345 419 Monday – Friday 9 am-5 pm |
| Website: | https://www.andrewwilsonco.com/ |
Additional Advice
If a debt collection company has contacted you or if you’re struggling to pay off your debts, we recommend that you reach out to a debt charity for free advice and guidance.
There are many debt charities in the UK that provide free advice and guidance to debtors. They will guide you depending on your situation. Some debt charities you can reach out to are as follows:
- National Debtline
- StepChange
- Debt Advice Foundation
- Citizens Advice
Key Points
- Andrew Wilson and Co are recognised UK debt collectors acting for various creditors, including businesses and financial institutions.
- It’s not widely known, but some UK residents might have the option to legally write off part of their debt.
- Receiving letters from Andrew Wilson and Co can be daunting. Ignoring them isn’t the best defence; engaging and exploring your options is.
- There may be a silver lining with the possibility of writing off debts that you simply cannot afford through proper debt solutions.
- When the debt amount is out of reach, opening negotiations with Andrew Wilson and Co could lead to a feasible payment plan or even an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).
- If the pressure from Andrew Wilson and Co becomes too great, individuals have the right to lodge an official complaint against the firm’s practices.
