BPO Collections: Should I repay what I owe them?

Receiving a call or letter from debt collectors is never a pleasant experience, especially if you’re not sure whether the company in question is legitimate.

If a company named BPO debt collections has been in touch with you, you may not be sure what to do next.

In this guide we’ll provide more information on BPO Collections, including who they are, whether they’re a regulated debt collector, and what you should do if a BPO debt collector reaches out to you.

Who is BPO collections Ltd?

BPO Collections Limited is a debt collection company. Their registered UK company number SC295285.

According to their website, BPO are well-established in the UK debt recovery industry and act on behalf of a number of ‘blue chip clients’ to recover unpaid debts. These clients include:

• The DVLA
• HMRC
• Virgin Mobile
• Sky TV
• Barclaycard

BPO works to recover a number of debts, including unpaid tax bills, mobile phone contracts, and unpaid utilities.

Where are BPO collections based?

BPO collections are based in Ayrshire, Scotland, although they claim to have clients all throughout Europe.

BPO Collections business address

The main business address for BPO debt collectors is:

Marina Quay,

Dock Rd,

Ardrossan,

KA22 8DA

BPO Collections is owned by a parent company, Prospect Financial Europe, who are based in Iceland.

Are debt collection agencies like BPO regulated?

Consumer Credit Act

According to their website, BPO Collections Limited are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The FCA is the biggest regulator of financial services companies in the UK. The independent regulator oversees around 50,000 companies in the financial industry, and being authorised by the FCA means BPO Collections are bound by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Can I trust debt collectors who are regulated?

Just because a company is a member of a regulatory body doesn’t mean you should simply do as they say.

You should always seek professional debt advice before agreeing to hand over money to a debt collection company like BPO.

What if I’m contacted by a debt collection agency like BPO?

You might have seen television segments or newspaper articles highlighting heavy-handed tactics by creditors and bailiffs who seek to intimidate people into repaying expensive debts.

While the government has come a long way towards reducing the power of predatory debt collection agencies, the principal tactic is still intimidation.

That said, companies like BPO should follow a process before attempting to recover money from you.

Debt letter to notify you of debt recovery process

BPO collections should always contact you by post to make you aware of their intention to proceed with debt recovery activity.

Debt letters like these typically include a brief introduction to the company, an acknowledgement that they have purchased your debt from another party, and details of the money they are seeking to recover from you.

Increase in debt recovery tactics

Once you receive your debt letter, you can expect BPO to ramp up their recovery procedures.

At this point, it’s up to you to decide whether you would like to repay the money owed or contest the debt in question.

What are my options if I owe money to BPO collections?

When a debt collector gets in touch, it’s important not to rush to any decision. There are several ways of dealing with this situation; we’ve outlined the options available to you.

Contact BPO collections

The most sensible first step when debt collection agencies begin chasing you for payments is to contact them directly.

The best ways to contact BPO Collections are listed below:

• Phone number: 0141 375 0900
• Email: [email protected]
• Post: Marina Quay, Dock Rd, Ardrossan KA22 8DA

Ask for proof of the money you owe

Once you get in touch with BPO Collections, you have the right to ask for proof of the debt they say that you owe.

By law, if a debt collection agency can’t provide you with some form of proof that you owe them money – whether that’s an email, receipt, or other form of correspondence – then you have no obligation to pay the debt being pursued.

Pay BPO collections upfront

If BPO are able to provide proof that you owe money to them, the simplest way to put an end to the harassment is to repay the debt in full.

How to pay BPO Collections Ltd

If you can afford to repay what you owe upfront, BPO accepts payment in multiple ways. You can visit their website, bpocollections.co.uk, enter your case reference number, and pay online.

If that’s not suitable, you can also make a direct payment over the phone, post a cheque to their business address, or pay the sum via BACS transfer.

Agree a payment plan to repay outstanding debt

If you’re interested in repaying BPO but can’t afford to repay the debt owed in one payment, BPO will be happy to explore a payment arrangement with you.

Payment plan to repay your debt in full

The first option is to offer to repay your debt in full over a longer period of time.

In that instance, you would reach an agreement over the size of the monthly repayment and the length of the repayment term, giving you more time to pay off your debt.

Debt settlement offer

Another option is to make a settlement offer. You offer to repay a portion of the debt upfront and, in exchange, BPO agrees to wipe off the rest of the debt.

While you might think debt collection agencies would be reluctant to accept less than what they’re owed, companies like BPO often purchase debts at a reduced cost. They may decide it’s better value to receive a partial payment than commit time and resources to the recovery process.

While a settlement offer may save you money, it’s important to note that it will remain on your credit file for six years.

What if I owe money I can’t afford to repay?

If you can’t afford to repay the money you’re being pursued over, don’t worry, you still have options available to you.

Seek free debt advice

When you’re being pressured over debts you can’t afford, the most important thing is not to ignore them. That will only make the situation worse. Instead, you should seek professional debt advice.

A debt charity, like StepChange, or a debt management company, like Creditfix, can offer you the support you need, whether that’s helping you create an informal repayment arrangement like a Debt Management Plan, or exploring formal debt solutions.

Consider formal debt solutions

There are various formal debt solutions in the UK that allow people to deal with serious debt while protecting themselves from creditors and debt collection companies.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement

If you have built up a level of debt you have no ability to repay, a formal solution like an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) enables you to combine all your unsecured debts into a single, affordable monthly payment and write off the debts you can’t afford.

You can find out more about IVAs and other debt solutions here.

Can a debt recovery company like BPO take me to court over money owed?

Yes, if you ignore letters and calls or refuse to come up with a payment arrangement, it’s possible that BPO collections will take out a County Court Judgement against you.

County Court Judgement

A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is a court ordered a debt collector or lender can apply for if they have been otherwise unable to recover money they feel they are owed.

If a judge agrees and grants a CCJ against you, you will be order to repay the money you owe over a defined timeframe.

Further legal action

If you receive a CCJ and still refuse to pay, you will leave yourself open to further legal action.

The courts have legal powers that enable them to take money directly from your wages, and in extreme circumstances they can even force you to sell your home and use the process to repay your creditors.

If you receive a County Court Judgment, you should seek professional debt advice immediately.

Will BPO come to my house to collect debts?

BPO Collections Ltd may employ field agents – i.e. debt collectors – to visit you at your home. The purpose of this visit will be to talk about your debt and discuss some form of repayment arrangement.

This method will only be employed by BPO if you refuse to repay the debt you owe.

What can BPO Collections enforcement agents do?

While debt collection visits can be extremely unpleasant and stressful, it’s important to remember that a debt collector has no right to enter your property unless you give them permission.

If a BPO debt collector comes to your home, make sure you ask them to identify themselves and provide proof of the debt they intend to collect.

Can I make a complaint against a debt collection agency?

If they try to force their way onto your property or act inappropriately in any way, you should consider filing a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The Financial Ombudsman Service is a free-to-use service whose purpose is to settle disputes between customers and financial services companies. You can make a complaint online here.

What if my debt is over 6 years old?

In England and Wales there is a limitation period that prevents debt collection agencies and creditors from recovering a debt after a certain amount of time.

For most types of debts the limitation period is six years.

If you owe a debt that is more than six years old, and your creditors have made no attempt to contact you or begin the recovery process during that time, then you shouldn’t have to repay the money you owe.

Where can I get reliable advice about dealing with my unsecured debts?

If you’re being pursued by BPO Collections or another debt collection agency and you’re worried about how you’re going to repay what you owe, we can help.

At Creditfix, we’ve helped over 182,000 people deal with their debts and get their lives back on track. We can provide free debt advice, offer guidance, and help you find the solution that best fits your financial situation.

For debt advice you can rely on, get in touch with one of our friendly advisors today on 0800 0431 431.