Whenever anyone receives a letter from an agency such as BLS Collections, it can raise a range of questions and worries:
- What is the debt they’re talking about?
- Do you owe them the money?
- How did they get your details?
- Do you have to pay?
You might recognise the debt they’re talking about, yet you didn’t take out the loan or fall into arrears with them, but another company.
We can answer all of your questions. The following page will outline who BLS Collections are and how they operate. We will also show you if you can have the debt removed, or what you should do to find your best solution to repay it if not.
BLS Collections contact details:
Company Name: BLS Collections
Other Names: BLS, Lloyds Bank, Lloyds TSB, Lloyds Credit, Halifax Building Society
Address:
PO BOX 467E
Oxford
OX4 1WA
Main Contact Number(s): 0800 1214 792
Who are BLS Collections?
Many of the agencies on our debt collector and bailiff’s list are stand-alone independent operations. BLS Collections, however, work as part of the Lloyds banking group, created to chase outstanding accounts and unpaid credit and loan repayments.
Many banks and credit companies act this way. By appearing to have passed an account on to an outside company, the situation often seems more serious and puts additional pressure on the borrower to make their repayments.
BLS Collections must follow the code of practice outlined by the Consumer Credit Association that is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Why would they contact you?
If you took out a credit card or loan with any of the banks that are part of the Lloyds group, then BLS Collections could be contacting you about money that you owe them.
It’s their job to recover any outstanding amount on credit cards or loans, or where an agreement has fallen into arrears.
The reason for failing to make payments could be as simple as lost contact details or changing your bank. In instances where the borrower’s circumstances have changed, and they can’t afford to make their repayments, BLS Collections should work with you to provide a payment plan that’s affordable to you.
If you don’t at least attempt to contact BLS Collections to discuss a solution that is suitable for both sides, you run the risk of being subject to further action. This includes being taken to court.
Do you owe BLS Collections money?
BLS Collections should have clearly stated the original loan or credit facility that you took out along with what you’ve already paid and how much you still owe.
If you can provide clear proof that the debt has been paid in full, or that someone else is responsible for the payments, it should be cancelled without further issue.
In cases where you do owe them the money, they are required to work with you to come to a solution that’s affordable for you. If you are unable to do this, then it’s important to flag this to the relevant people as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you can talk to our resident debt expert, TAD, who can offer you advice and solutions to make life more comfortable under your current budget.
How old is the debt they are collecting?
There is a time limit on many consumer debts in the UK, and in many case they actually expire after this time. In Scotland, it’s usually 5 years, and 6 years in England. If the debt in question meets specific criteria, there’s a good chance you could have your debt cancelled without paying another penny.
This is known as statute barred debt. The time limit starts from the last payment date made towards what you owe, or the most recent written correspondence that detailed your responsibility for the debt in question.
If your debt isn’t statute barred, we can explain your rights and the alternatives to settling the amount if you can’t have it cancelled.
Are BLS Collections treating you unfairly?
There are laws to make sure that anyone who borrows money or enters into a credit agreement is treated fairly. The law also dictates that the companies recovering the money behave responsibly and take their clients’ circumstances into account so as not to cause undue pressure or distress.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates these laws, so if you feel mistreated in any way, it’s their job to protect you, and help you achieve compensation wherever applicable.
Have you been subject to any of the following, or to any action that follows similar lines of unjust treatment?
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Threats
- Having payments taken from your account without your permission
- Providing false information to pressure you into paying
- Suggesting taking out additional loans or credit to pay for your existing debt
- Not providing information that you have asked for
- Visiting or calling your place of work after being told not to
If you have, then it’s important to flag this to the FCA and to the company in question to come to a resolution.
Managing your debt
We understand that struggling with debt can be very stressful. We will always be sympathetic to your situation and help you to find the best possible way to get back into good financial health.
We will help you determine how much you can realistically be expected to pay in line with your current income and expenses. This will be the figure we use to negotiate the fairest and least stressful method of paying back the money you owe.
We’re here to help you take control of your budget—to understand the many issues and causes of debt, how to avoid them, and how to resolve problem situations whenever the need arises.
Support from our trusted debt advice partners will help you determine the state of your debt to be certain you do owe the money, or if it has been statute barred.
If they can challenge the debt, they will make sure you don’t have to pay them a penny.
If, however, the debt is live, then they can help you find a debt solution that suits your circumstances to help regain control of your finances.
Your debt solution will allow you to repay what you owe with monthly payments based on what you can realistically afford each month.
For help dealing with your debt, talk to TAD to be connected with one of our trusted debt partners.
*Talk About Debt is not associated with BLS Collections or any of the agencies in our debt collection agency and bailiff directory.
