You might think paying Credit Resolution Services is your only way out. But you’ve got it wrong. However, ignoring them is not a good option as well. It will result in enforcement action and make matters worse.
So, how exactly should you handle them? In this article, we will guide you through your options and how you can handle CRS.
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It’s possible that this Credit Resolution Services company is unfamiliar to you in the first place, leading you to suspect it might be a scam. However, it’s important to note that they are a legitimate organisation specialising in debt collection.
In this guide, we will clarify the steps you should take upon receiving a payment request from Credit Resolution Services. You may find that you aren’t bound by law to make a payment in some unique instances!
Who Are Credit Resolution Services?
Credit Resolution Services is a UK-based debt collection agency, and they’re not new in this field. With the primary function of collecting outstanding debts, they’ve managed to build a name in the industry. CRS is also registered and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The company purchases bad debts from creditors for a low price and chases debtors to recover the debt. Once the debtors pay, they make a profit.
This debt collection company also collects debts from debtors on behalf of other companies and takes a commission once the debtor makes the payment. They are also well known for chasing debts and arrears for various clients.
Credit Resolution Services might be contacting you for two reasons:
Before you do anything, you should first try to figure out which category you fall under.
CRS is licensed and under the watchful eye of the Financial Conduct Authority. This ensures they abide by the industry’s rules. However, they have the right to take you to court and file for a County
Court Judgment (CCJ) against you if you don’t cooperate and keep ignoring them.
They also have the legal right to:
- Send you emails
- Send you letters
- Call you
But note that they have to adhere to the guidelines of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Thus, they should respect the debtor’s rights and always act respectfully. Some things they are not allowed to do include:
- Call you at unreasonable times
- Keep calling you even after you request them to contact you only through post or email.
- Harass or threaten you
- Pretend to be bailiffs
- Discuss your finances with other people
- Forcefully enter your home
- Confuse you by using technical jargon
Is Credit Resolution Services a Real Company?
Yes, Credit Resolution Services is 100% legitimate. They aren’t a group of people trying to scam hardworking individuals out of their money.
Remember, they’re closely regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and their authorization number under the FCA is 626796. This badge of authenticity makes them accountable for their actions.
Keep in mind that even though CRS is a legitimate company, they are not an enforcement company (bailiffs). So, they can only chase debtors to collect the debt and take them to court if they don’t cooperate. But they cannot seize property or possession. Only a court-appointed bailiff can do that.
Credit Resolution Services Reviews
Reviews about Credit Resolution Services are a mixed bag. Trustpilot shows them with a 68% five-star rating, while a not-so-insignificant 24% give them just one star at the time of writing.
The polarity in opinions is mainly due to their communication methods. Some find their service straightforward and convenient. Others claim they have been harassed even after making payments.
“Very easy to make an arrangement… I suffer from mental health, so this was quick and easy. I didn’t need to speak to anyone, which was a bonus, and it’s a weight lifted off my mind…read more” –Carter
“Due to a change in circumstances, I was unable to pay the set amount with the original creditor. My debt was then passed onto CRS, who made it easy and affordable to pay back my debt. No hidden fees, no silly interest. All done online and I wasn’t bombarded with constant texts or phone calls…read more” –Andrew Williams
“Poor company to speak to or communicate with and trying to extort extra money they are not owed. Better change your gameplay CRS or lose your licence to operate…read more” –Lee Derbyshire
“Appalling company has been sending text messages every other day demanding payment when I have a payment plan. Then I started receiving threatening emails…read more” –Donna Ryan
Credit Resolution Services Letters
Chances are, if Credit Resolution Services is after you, you’ll first receive a letter. CRS will make use of whatever contact information they have of you. But they will most likely send a letter stating you have an outstanding debt and you should make the payment before a particular date.
Additionally, they should also be willing to provide the option of setting up a payment plan if you are facing financial difficulties.
These letters might contain phrases like “legal action” or “late fees” that can make your heart race. Despite this, reading between the lines is crucial.
However, it’s possible these legal threats are real. After all, they do have the legal right to go to court and get a CCJ against you. So don’t ignore letters from CRS. But there is also a possibility that they might be using an intimidation tactic to get you to pay.
Can Credit Resolution Services Come to My Home?
No. Credit Resolution Services can’t just show up at your doorstep and seize your valuable belongings. They can only communicate with you during sociable hours, mainly via letters or court action, if you don’t cooperate or even agree to a payment plan.
In extreme cases where they cannot get in touch with you, their collection agent will visit your home to have a discussion about your debt. On those occasions, you are not bound by law to talk with them unless they are bailiffs with a warrant in hand. You can simply ask them to leave while stating to them in which method you wish to continue the communication.
Plus, you can call the police on them if they refuse your request to leave and keep harassing you.
But keep in mind that if CRS goes to court against you and wins the case, the court can appoint bailiffs to enter your home and seize valuable goods or property. This will also add more expenses to the debt that you already owe them.
But if CRS agents forcefully enter your home, they are breaking the guidelines of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). So, you can file a complaint against CRS to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or the FCA.
Should I Pay Credit Resolution Services?
Paying Credit Resolution Services is important in order to avoid legal action. But before you pay, make sure to do the following:
Before diving headlong into settling any debt, pause. Reflect. Ask the vital question: Is this debt genuinely yours? You have the right to double-check. Mistakes are not uncommon, and you’d be surprised how many times it happens.
In order to verify if the debt is actually yours, request proof by sending a Prove the Debt Letter. You can do this even if you know that the debt is yours.
Credit Resolution Services should provide clear documentation showing the original creditor, the amount owed, and any other relevant details. If they don’t provide proof, you are not legally obligated to pay.
If CRS is not able to prove that you owe them the debt, then you are not legally obligated to pay. In a case where they take you to court for not paying, you should show the judge the “prove the debt” letter you have sent them (this is why it’s important to keep the letters carefully stored) and their responses to it.
Once you show this, the judge will ask CRS to provide you proof, and if they cannot, then you don’t have to pay them. If they continue to bother you even after this, then you have the right to make a formal complaint against the debt collection company.
Another aspect you should consider is the age of the debt. In the UK, a debt might become ‘statute-barred’ after six years. This means Credit Resolution Services may no longer have the legal grounds to pursue it. However, in order for a debt to be statute-barred, you should meet the following criteria:
- You haven’t made any payments in the last six years.
- You haven’t admitted to owing the debt in the last six years.
- You have not received a County Court Judgment (CCJ) for it in the last six years
Note that statute-barred debt doesn’t mean that you don’t owe it or that the debt doesn’t exist. Surely your credit history will not cleared after receiving this excuse. It just means that CRS cannot go to court against you for it. This is because it’s legally unenforceable.
Credit Resolution Services Proved My Debt! What Should I Do?
If Credit Resolution Services proves your debt, then you have to pay them. If you refuse to pay them after they prove the debt, there is a possibility that they might take you to court. But don’t lose hope; if you cannot pay, there are ways to handle it.
If you’re unable to pay, make sure to speak directly with CRS and explain your situation to them. Based on your situation, they will provide you with a payment plan with affordable payments each month.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to agree to a payment plan that you know you cannot afford. Only agree once you’re sure you can meet its demands. But if you agree to a payment plan and then miss payments, it will make matters worse.
If you don’t believe a payment plan is suitable for you, we recommend that you choose a debt solution. Some debt solutions even help to completely write off your debts. A few of these debt solutions which you can consider include:
If you cannot pay and you inform CRS, they have to cooperate with you. They should either:
You can make a complaint against them if they threat you or force you to pay even after you communicate this to them.
How Do I Make A Complaint Against Credit Resolution Services?
If you want to make a complaint against Credit Resolution Services, first directly call or write to them regarding your issues. Give them a few days to respond and resolve the situation. If they don’t resolve the issue or take necessary action, then you can escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
You can directly speak with the FOS. Make sure to provide any proof that you may have, including emails, phone recordings, letters that show proof of threats or any behaviour that goes against the FCA guidelines. They will review your complaint. Thereafter, they will take action against CRS.
But if you don’t receive a satisfying response from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), complain to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They will review your complaint and take necessary action against them.
Usually, this involves the debt collection company having to:
How Do I Contact CRS by Phone?
Ironically, CRS prefers not to be contacted by phone, at least by debtors. Their corporate number exists, which is 01422 324 510. However, they request debtors to contact them through their online portals and websites.
Checking for Other Debt Collectors
There are many ways in which you can get into debt. It is not rare to owe money to many companies at the same time and lose track of the debts. Especially if you have a:
- Mortgage
- Car loan
- Multiple credit cards
- Buy now pay later schemes
This is why it’s important that you check your bank statements and your credit report to make sure everything is on track. While CRS might be your immediate concern, it’s also crucial to keep an eye out for other debt collectors like:
- PRA Group
- Lowell
- Cabot Financial
Credit Resolution Services Contact Details
| Address: | 2, Rockwood House, 9-17 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3TW |
| Phone: | 01444 449165 |
Where Can You Get Further Advice?
If you want to get further advice, make sure to speak to a professional debt advisor. There are also many debt charities in the UK that offer free debt advice. Some of these debt charities include:
- StepChange
- National Debtline
- Citizens Advice
- Debt Advice Foundation
Key Points
- Credit Resolution Services is a UK-based, FCA-regulated debt collection agency specialising in reclaiming debts from individuals on behalf of its clients. They are not a scam but a legitimate entity authorised to perform these functions.
- Public reviews of Credit Resolution Services are quite polarised, showing both satisfaction and discontent. Investigate these reviews to get a balanced view before proceeding.
- Typically, your first interaction with CRS is through a formal letter. These letters often contain intimidating phrases like “legal action” or “late fees,” which should not be immediately taken at face value.
- Before rushing to pay off a debt claimed by Credit Resolution Services, ensure its legitimacy. Validate that the debt is truly yours and is not statute-barred, which means it’s over six years old and has not been acknowledged.
- CRS is obligated to provide evidence validating the debt. If they fail to do so, you are not required to pay until they offer conclusive proof.
- In the UK, some debts may become ‘statute-barred’ after a specific period, usually six years. Credit Resolution Services can’t legally enforce payment for such debts.
- If you find yourself overwhelmed by the situation, UK debt charities are available for support
