Not everyone ends up paying Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Ltd, just because they received a debt letter from them. But it’s not wise for you to ignore their reach outs as it could escalate to a situation where you might find hardship in solving it easily.
So, what should you do next? Hold on because We are about to unravel your choices…
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Village Investigations Ltd also goes by the name Vilcol most of the time when collecting debts on behalf of their clients. Sometimes, a debt collector’s approach towards you to convince you to settle the debt can become aggressive and intimidating. You may be wondering what to do in those situations.
Plus, you may have doubts about whether to settle the debt or not.
Don’t worry. We have already answered all these questions within this article. Here, you will find guidance and ways to deal with Vilcol effectively.
Who are Vilcol or Village Investigations Ltd?
Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Limited, is a company that has been offering debt collection services in the UK since 1988. They are based in Surrey but are known for providing their services across the UK.
They mainly focus on providing debt collection services to other businesses. It simply means they chase after debtors on behalf of their clients.
In addition to providing debt collection services, they offer separate services to trace missing persons (like long-lost relatives). Their website claims that they have a 98% present success rate in tracking down debtors or missing persons within the UK.
Vilcol operates on a simple yet compelling ethos: ensuring creditors get their rightful due while maintaining a respectful approach towards debtors. They aren’t just about recovering money; they prioritise human values, fostering understanding and empathy.
Below are some facts that will help you to verify their legitimacy.
As you can see, they are a legitimate business that operates in the UK. Yes, you might be surprised if you are hearing about this company for the first time. It happens because they have been hired by your original creditor to chase after you and recover their debts. Here, they earn a commission or a fixed fee for each debt they succeed in collecting.
Are Village Investigations Ltd bailiffs?
No, Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Ltd company’s debt collecting agents, are NOT bailiffs. They operate primarily in the realm of pre-court actions, working as intermediaries. They lack the legal authority to seize assets while they might send out strongly worded communications.
In order to involve bailiffs, Vilcol can ask your original creditor to go to court to solve this debt issue if you ignore all of their communication. Then, your original creditor will take your debt issue to court and take a warrant or a writ of conduct to use bailiffs to visit your home and seize your belongings. Only the judge can permit the claimant to use enforcement action through bailiffs.
As you can see, getting the involvement of bailiffs in your debt issue is the last resort they are going to use unless all other attempts to recover the debt fail.
Hence, Village Investigations Ltd lacks the right to assert that they can seize your possessions as a means to settle the debt. Should they proceed with such actions, it is advisable to notify the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which may lead to potential fines for the company
Who do Village Investigations Ltd collect for?
Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Ltd, dont have any specific debt type that they heavily focus on collecting.
Thus, any company or individual just needs to hire them to chase after their debtors to recover their debt. Below are some of the debt types they have majorly succeeded in recovering, according to their website.
It’s evident that they cater to multiple industries with a roster that has exceeded 5,000 clients. Below are some of the major clients that have taken the services of Vilcol debt collection agency to recover their bad debts (according to their website).
Thus, if Vilcol is reaching out, it’s a sign that someone, somewhere, is waiting for their money.
Village Investigations Ltd reviews
Most of the reviews that Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Ltd, has received are from their clients. Below are some of the Google reviews given to them by their clients and debtors. They have managed to secure a 4.5 overall review score over the years.
Some of the Google reviews they receive are as follows.
- Emma Lodge has said,
“I hired Vilcol to do an In-Depth trace after our chosen debt recovery company failed to find a debtor’s new address with their own basic search. Vilcol found the debtor within a week! I’m very pleased and impressed with this service and would recommend them.” [Source link]
- Joy Boateng has said,
“Great company. Needed a professional process server to serve an eviction notice to extremely problematic tenants. Swift process, they act on your terms. Superb communication throughout. Del Hudson is great at his job!”. [Source link]
Have you received a Village Investigations Ltd debt letter?
Village Investigations Ltd, also known as Vilcol, will start trying to get in touch with you to request settling the debt using letters, phone calls, and emails if you ignore their initial notice letter.
You can reply to one of those letters to get in touch with them and discuss an affordable payment plan in order to settle the debt with time.
They will send you one last letter titled “Letter Before Action (LBA)” to let you know that they are going to take your debt case to court to find a solution if you do not settle the debt before the due date mentioned in the letter. You will have to face a court case if you ignore or throw away this letter.
Here’s a breakdown of what you might typically find in the letters sent by Vilcol:
- Debt Details: It will clearly state the amount you owe, to whom, and possibly the origin of the debt.
- Actions to Take: Vilcol will outline the steps you should ideally follow. This could be anything from contacting them for a repayment plan to disputing the debt.
- Consequences of Non-action: The letter will list potential repercussions if you choose to ignore it. While it sounds dire, remember it’s meant to emphasise the importance of the situation.
There are 3 main reasons why Vilcol may be trying to get in touch with you. This includes:
- Unpaid Debts: The most apparent reason is an outstanding debt. It might be something you’ve overlooked or are unaware of.
- Misidentification: Errors happen. There’s a possibility that Vilcol has the wrong person, and the debt isn’t yours.
- Previous Owner’s Debt: You might have moved into a new place recently. Sometimes, debt letters are addressed to previous occupants, landing mistakenly in your hands.
Receiving a letter from Vilcol isn’t the end of the world. Here’s a hint: your approach can make a world of difference. So, what should you do?
- Stay Calm: Panic won’t help. Take deep breaths and approach the situation logically.
- Verify the Debt: Before any action, ensure the debt is legitimate and yours. Mistakes can happen.
- Contact Vilcol: Communication is essential. Reach out to them, express concerns, ask questions, or even set up a repayment plan.
- Seek Legal Counsel: If things seem complex, consider seeking legal advice. Knowledge is your best defence.
Still, there’s a nagging thought: can this situation turn in your favour? Well, the answer might surprise you. Read on!
While it’s a challenge, the letter also serves as an opportunity. Think about it:
- Clearing Debts: It’s a push towards clearing any lingering financial commitments, setting you free from debt chains.
- Building Financial Awareness: Such experiences often lead to better financial management in the future.
- Engaging in Constructive Dialogue: Instead of fearing Vilcol, see them as a mediator. Engage in open conversations, and you might find them more understanding than you think.
Will Village Investigations Ltd take me to court?
Vilcol operates primarily as a mediator. Their aim is to resolve matters before they escalate to courtrooms. However, the clients they represent may have different thresholds.
Some might opt for a quick out-of-court settlement, while others may be patient enough to tread the legal path. On the other hand, Vilcol also might ask your creditor to take your debt case to court if you ignore their reach outs.
So it’s not so much about what Vilcol wants but what their client deems necessary.
Do you have to pay Village Investigations Ltd?
Just because you’ve received an LBA from Vilcol doesn’t mean you’re bound to pay immediately. However, sweeping it under the carpet isn’t wise either.
However, it’s crucial not to disregard their notice letters. As previously mentioned, failing to respond to their legal notices could potentially result in a court action against you.
In light of the fact that neither immediate payment nor ignoring the letter is advisable, you might wonder how you should go about responding to Village Investigations Ltd.
Ask Village Investigations Ltd to prove the debt!
It’s your right to request debt validation from Vilcol before having thought of making any payments.
For that, simply write a request letter titled “Prove the Debt“, asking Vilcol to prove your debt. Additionally, make sure to ask them to send you written proof. They are bound by law to send a reply to you with proof. Vilcol should at least send you a copy of the initial credit agreement you had with your original creditor to verify the debt.
You are not bound by law to settle a debt if they fail to send you proof. Make sure you keep a copy of the request letter and send it through a trackable mail service. These records will come in handy if Vilcol goes straight to the court without replying to you with proof.
Is your Village Investigations Ltd debt collectable?
Sometimes, your debts with Vilcol, also known as Village Investigations Ltd, can become legally unenforceable if they are sorted under the Statute-Barred debt category. For that, there are 3 main conditions you need to fulfil simultaneously in order to get a Statute-Barred excuse from the court.
They are such as:
Your debt becomes statute-barred if the above three conditions are fulfilled at the same time. As a result, your debt becomes legally unenforceable while the debt technically still exists. Simply, it means that if you ignore paying the debt, they cannot go to court against you for it.
But just because your debts become legally unenforceable by the court does not mean your credit history will clear your debt as well. Instead, receiving a Statute-Barred excuse for your debt will negatively affect your credit history.
As a result, you may face difficulties in getting new loans and credit cards in the future.
However, not all debts become statute-barred. HMRC debts and debts with a County Court Judgment (CCJ) remain enforceable for extended periods.
It’s better to seek debt advice from a debt advisor if you’re unsure about your debt’s status. These advisors can assess your debt, determine its status, and guide you on the appropriate actions to take.
How to Make a Complaint against Digital DRA
The Vilcol Debt Collection Agency operates under the authorisation and regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Thus, they are obligated to adhere to stringent FCA guidelines in their debt recovery processes.
You are entitled to certain rights when dealing with debt collectors like Vilcol Debt:
To address such grievances:
If legal authorities find Vilcol guilty of misconduct, they may be subject to substantial fines or required to provide compensation to you.
If you encounter challenges in your dealings with Vilcol, you can seek assistance from respected debt advisory organisations such as Citizens Advice, National Debtline, and StepChange.
These organisations offer free debt advice to help you comprehend your rights and navigate the complaint process with Vilcol Debt Collection Agency.
Other Debt Collectors
It’s advisable to thoroughly examine the possibility of having additional outstanding debts with various entities or debt collection agencies.
In order to do this, you can follow these four steps:
The United Kingdom has numerous debt collection agencies, each of which collaborates with different creditors to recover debts.
For instance, Cabot Financial is recognised for collecting on behalf of the DVLA, while Lowell Financial and PRA Group specialise in purchasing debts from various credit card companies such as Barclaycard.
Village Investigations Ltd Contact Details
You can get in touch with Vilcol using one of the contact methods mentioned below.
| Website: | https://vilcol.com/ |
| Phone: | 0208 390 9988 |
| Fax: | 0208 399 2959 |
| Email: | customercare@vilcol.com |
| Address: | 97 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6AH |
FREE debt support is available
If the complexities of debt have you feeling cornered, remember there’s always help available. Organisations like National Debtline and StepChange provide stellar support to those in need.
Empower yourself with knowledge and seek assistance when needed. You’re never alone in this.
More help dealing with arrears and debts
In the UK, there are various alternative debt solutions to consider. On occasion, you might encounter challenges in agreeing to the payment plans proposed by Vilcol Debt Collection Agency, particularly if they are unaffordable.
In such circumstances, it’s advisable to explore alternative debt solutions that can effectively address your debt-related issues.
However, it’s essential to bear in mind that each of these debt solutions comes with specific eligibility criteria. And choosing the right one can lead to debt resolution while selecting the wrong one could exacerbate your financial situation.
Hence, seeking guidance from a professional debt advisor is a wise decision to take if you find it difficult to determine the most suitable debt solution on your own.
Here are some key debt solutions available in the UK:
- Additionally, you may be eligible for Minimal Asset Process bankruptcy (MAP) if you have limited income and few valuable assets.
- This MAP option is known for its speed, cost-effectiveness, and simplified process, making it a practical choice to explore.
If you require personalised assistance based on your current financial situation, feel free to complete our online form by clicking here to receive help from our Money Advisor Team.
Key Points
- Village Investigations Ltd, commonly known as Vilcol, is a seasoned player in the UK’s debt collection arena.
- Vilcol sends debt letters, usually formal in nature, to alert debtors about outstanding payments. These letters often highlight potential legal consequences if the debt is not addressed.
- Just because you receive a debt letter from Vilcol doesn’t mean you have to rush to pay. It’s essential to verify the debt’s legitimacy and terms.
- Many UK citizens might have the legal option to write off a portion of their outstanding debts.
- It’s crucial to understand that Vilcol is a debt collection agency, not a bailiff. Their role primarily focuses on pre-court actions.
- If Vilcol contacts you regarding a debt, always request documented proof of the debt before considering any payment.
- Statute Barred Debts: Investigate the age of your debt. Older debts, sometimes referred to as statute-barred, might not be legally collectable in certain situations.
- Seeking Support: Should you find yourself overwhelmed, consider seeking assistance from UK debt charities. Organisations like National Debtline or StepChange offer free support and can provide personalised advice.
- Engage in constructive dialogue with Vilcol if you have concerns or questions or seek potential repayment plans. They can be more understanding than one might initially assume.
