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We advise you not to ignore any DCBL letter that comes into your home. It’s because ignoring their letters can escalate you to a situation where you cannot escape easily. 

Therefore, Let us talk more about what your options are available to deal with these debt letter-receiving situations…

Charlie Walsh
Last updated on 24 June 2023
 Fact Checked

Table of Contents

1. Who are DCBL
2. Who does DCBL chase debts for?
3. Why do original debt owners take services from Debt collectors like DCBL?
4. What is a DCBL letter? : Why are they contacting me
5. What is a DCBL final reminder letter?
6. Legal Implications: Should I ignore a letter from DCBL?
7. Long-Term Consequences: What happens if a CCJ is issued?
8. What happens if you ignore a CCJ?
9. Steps to Follow after Receiving a DCBL Debt Recovery Letter and avoid litigation
10. The Aftermath: What Happens After Responding to the DCBL Letter?
11. Conclusion: The Power of Timely Action
12. Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL) Contact Details
13. FAQ

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Who are DCBL

Debt Collection Bailiffs Limited which is known as DCBL in short, is a prominent debt collection and enforcement agency in the UK. As their company name suggests, they do both debt collection and bailiff operations.

The debt collection operations are held to chase down and recover debts before court action. On the other hand, they operate as bailiffs(enforcement agents) to acquire unpaid debts that have been taken to the high court and given a Country Court Judgement(CCJ).

Who does DCBL chase debts for?

There is no specific industry where DCBL focus the most. Because now, they have grown to be a huge company such that they have the capability to provide debt collections services to any industry in the UK. 

Among their diverse range of client base, Most of the cases they handled are for Loan providers, utility providers, banks, and parking companies that have parking ticket debts from their users.

DCBL is known for having the best debt recovery rates among all other debt recovery firms across the UK. It’s because of their use of modern technology implications for chasing debts and their ability to get in touch with the debtors.

Why is the DCBL debt collection agency famous in the UK?

It’s because of the famous Netflix and UK channel 4 programme “Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away!“. All the high court enforcement officers who appear in that show are from the DCBL debt collection agency. 

Why do original debt owners take services from Debt collectors like DCBL?

Sometimes credit issuers get tired of chasing unpaid debt after a considerable time. This happens when you keep ignoring the original debt owners reach outs in every way possible. At that point, they turn towards hiring debt collection services like DCBL to collect their debts on their behalf. 

Or even they might sell your debts to another collection agency for a fraction of the total debt (with a 5-20 % discount price).

This is where you will receive your first DCBL Letter to inform you about your unpaid debt issue.

What is a DCBL letter? : Why are they contacting me

DCBL letter – It is a letter sent by the DCBL debt recovery agency to notify a particular debtor like you who has not repaid on time to its original debt owner. This letter includes the message asking the debtor to repay their debts before it’s too late. And it will show the consequences he might have to pay due to ignoring it.

Imagine you’re going about your day when a DCBL letter lands on your doorstep. And the letter isn’t a friendly note or an invitation. But a DCBL debt recovery letter alerts you about unsettled debts. In addition, they might even call to notify you about the letter.

Why are they contacting me?

The simplest answer to your head-scratching problem, “Why are they contacting me?” is your original debt owner is tired of reaching out to ask for repayment and has taken the services of DCBL to recover their debts.

This is where it all begins the torcher. If you keep ignoring their reach out after receiving the initial notice, The new player DCBL debt recovery will keep using all your contact mediums to contact you.  

Below are some common methods they use to reach out to you. 

1. Emails,
2. Phone calls,
3. Letters,
4. And sometimes home visits(only in extreme cases) to talk about the debt

Now, you might be asking, “Why should I take this seriously?”

What is a DCBL final reminder letter?

At some point in time, the DCBL will send you a letter with the letterhead “Final Reminder”. This happens only if you keep ignoring their reach outs and do not get into an agreement on paying back the money. 

You might have ignored it, thinking that is a scam when you receive the first letter. This DCBL Final Reminder letter will be the last communication you will receive before the original debt owner goes to court to settle this matter legally. 

This final reminder letter can be called the Letter Before Action(LBO). DCBL need to include terms that suggest they are going to take legal action against you if the debtor(you) does not take any action to resolve it.

The below screenshot shows the user “Hi_everyone” asking for help from the community to solve this LBO notice from the DCBL firm. 

Source: – Money Saving Expert – Forum
DCBL Letter DCBL-MoneySavingExpert-Forum

Legal Implications: Should I ignore a letter from DCBL?

DCBL isn’t just an ordinary agency. It’s a potent force in debt recovery. Ignoring a DCBL letter can lead to a chain of serious legal complications. 

One such repercussion can be the original debt owner asking DCBL to start taking court procedures against you. 

The worst thing that could happen is the client(original debt owner) taking you to court to take a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This court order makes you legally responsible for the debt if proven in court. 

Additionally, this CCJ subjugation will be recorded in the public register for fines, and that will affect your credit score negatively.

Long-Term Consequences: What happens if a CCJ is issued?

Let’s assume the court subjugated you to a CCJ order. 

The first thing you have to do is to agree to repay the total debt at once or via a suitable repayment plan that will not make your financial situation vulnerable.

CCJ subjugation can be discharged and removed from your credit score if you have the ability to repay the total debt within the first month of CCJ subjugation.

But The CCJ subjugation status will show satisfied and remain in your credit report for six years if you were only able to clear the debt after the first month of receiving CCJ.

A hit on your credit score doesn’t end with immediate financial difficulty. It can hamper your ability to secure loans or credit cards in the future. This potentially long-lasting impact is not something to overlook.

Given these scenarios, what would your next steps be? Before you decide, there’s an important consideration.

What happens if you ignore a CCJ?

Let’s assume you have ignored this CCJ subjugation and keep on living.

What will happen next is that the original debt owner will urge DCBL to complain about your ignorance in the high court and take a Warrant or Writ of Control to enforce the debt. The court will consider all the facts and surely grant them authority for that.

1. Next, they will send you a letter showing a due date before the home visit by enforcement agents of DCBL(bailiffs). It’s the only time period you will get to settle the debt and get done with this drama.
2. The enforcement agents of DCBL (bailiffs) will visit your home with the Warrant or Writ of Control in hand given by the high court If you ignore their last notice. This will be really bad as they will enter your property(debtor’s property) and seize your valuable possessions until you settle the debt.
3. They will store your valuable items in a store until the debt gets settled in cash. But eventually, they will sell them in an auction to recover the debt in full if you do not do anything at all. They will surely return the rest of the money if there is a balance after recovering the whole debt.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay extra charges to settle debt from the moment the enforcement against(bailiffs) gets involved. It is allowed by law to acquire.

These extra charges can include 

  1. Your seized item’s transportation and storage costs
  2. Bailiff’s transportation and hourly cost and many more.

Caution

These extra expenses will not be cheap but will be really expensive. Thus we do not recommend you wait for this much. There is plenty of time between these processors. Use them wisely to get a better deal.

Steps to Follow after Receiving a DCBL Debt Recovery Letter and avoid litigation

You’re not alone in this. Here are some step-by-step instructions to guide you in addressing this situation:

1. Avoid Ignoring the Letter:
  • Ignoring a letter from DCBL can result in legal consequences. Swift action can prevent such undesirable outcomes. 
2. Request Proof of Debt:
  • In case of doubt about the debt, request proof. You have the right to know the specifics of your obligation. Always ask for proof to be in a written document. 
  • And keep a photocopy of the letter you send asking for proof as well because this can come in handy if the issue escalates to a court case without replying to you. They are bound by law to reply to you at all costs.
3. Assess your Financial Capacity if the debts are proven to be yours:
  • Examine your financial situation and determine if you can afford to pay off the debt in a lump sum or through a manageable payment plan.
4. Negotiate a Payment Plan:
  • Contact DCBL directly and discuss a feasible payment plan that won’t impose a financial hardship.
5. There are plenty of free charity debt counselling organisations where you can take help if you are unable to resolve this issue alone.
  • Click here to find out a list of organisations available to get help.

You took quick action and contacted DCBL. Thus you are on the right track now. 

But will this result in immediate relief?

The Aftermath: What Happens After Responding to the DCBL Letter?

A proactive response to the DCBL letter demonstrates your commitment to resolving the debt. However, it’s important to note that the debt doesn’t disappear overnight. It will take time to clear your debts. 

But remember, every penny counts towards a debt-free life.

Conclusion: The Power of Timely Action

Facing a DCBL letter or a DCBL debt recovery letter is undoubtedly stressful. But remember inaction can only worsen the situation. Timely action and effective communication with DCBL can help you navigate through this challenging period.

This comprehensive guide aims to alleviate your concerns and equip you with the essential knowledge to handle your DCBL letter effectively. 

Now, you’re not just an uninformed recipient of a debt letter. You are a well-informed individual ready to take control of your financial situation.

Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL) Contact Details

Website: dcbltd.com
Phone number for complaints: 0203 298 0201
Email address for complaints: complaints@dcbltd.com
London Regional Office: Solar House, 915 High Road, North Finchley,

London, N12 8QJ

London Phone Number: 0203 613 1604
Wales Regional Office: Sophia House, 28 Cathedral Road,

Cardiff, CF11 9LJ

Wales Phone Number: 0292 060 7141
Scotland Regional Office: Barn Cliuth Business Centre,

Town Head Street, Hamilton, ML3 7DP

Scotland Phone Number: 0141 326 0228
Midlands Regional Office: Colmore Plaza, 20 Colmore Circus,

Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT

Midlands Phone Number: 0121 581 0957
North West Regional Office: Direct House, Greenwood Drive, Manor Park,

Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1UG

North West Phone Number: 01606 361 585

FAQ

What is a DCBL final notice of debt recovery letter?

A DCBL final notice of debt recovery letter is a communication from Debt Collection Bailiffs Limited (DCBL) alerting the recipient about an unpaid debt. This letter indicates that the debt issuer has involved a reputable debt collection and enforcement agency, DCBL. And act on behalf of them to take action in recovering the debt.

Should I ignore a letter from DCBL?

No, ignoring a letter from DCBL is not advisable. This is considered as a ‘notice of enforcement’. And ignoring it can lead to the bailiffs visiting your home after 7 days. 

It is horrible to involve bailiffs in your debt case because they can charge you additional fees besides collecting payment for the debt. 

Therefore acting quickly and addressing the letter is vital to preventing further actions.

Should I pay a DCBL letter?

It is advisable to pay it to avoid legal action if DCBL can prove the debt. However, it’s important to communicate with DCBL to arrange a repayment plan that does not cause financial hardship if you cannot afford to pay. 

There is no obligation to pay unless their client obtains a court order mandating payment if DCBL doesn’t prove the debt.

How do you handle a DCBL letter?

To handle a DCBL letter effectively:

1. Understand the type of letter you have received, whether it’s a Letter Before Action or a Notice of Enforcement.
2. Don’t ignore the letter.
3. If in doubt, ask for proof of the debt.
4. Assess your financial situation and ability to pay the debt.
5. Settle the debt if you can pay it. But contact DCBL directly to negotiate a feasible payment plan if you can’t.
6. Ensure that the letter is authentic by verifying DCBL’s official contact details and cross-checking them with the information on their official website.
What happens if I don’t pay DCBL?

DCBL will surely go to court to solve this debt issue if you don’t pay while the debt is proven to be yours. The court will surely subjugate you to County Court Judgment (CCJ). 

1. The CCJ order will make you responsible for paying the debt. This will negatively affect your credit history and will be written in the public register for fines.
2. The court can discharge your CCJ subjugation and clear history if you settle the debt within the first month of the CCJ order received.
3. But the CCJ subjugation status will show satisfied, and your credit history will not change for 6 years if you get late to settle the debt more than a month from the day you receive the CCJ order.
4. If you don’t pay at all. This will allow DCBL and the original debt owner will reach to court again and complain about your ignorance to pay. The court will authorise to use enforcement agents(bailiffs) to visit your home and seize your valuable belongings. And store them in their custody or sell them later if they do not pay the total debt.
Is DCBL high court enforcement? 

No, DCBL is not High court enforcement. 

Yet, DCBL has enforcement agents working under their firm. But DCBL needs to go to the high court and take a court order against the debtor in order to use enforcement agents. 


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