Being contacted by a debt collector can be an unsettling experience and it’s normal to fear the worst. However, knowing who you are dealing with and how to respond can help you prepare for the debt collection process.

Advantis Credit is a debt collection agency based in Stoke-on-Trent. If they have contacted you, it means that the person or company you owe money to has passed your unpaid debt onto them to collect on their behalf because they have more time and resources to recover payment.

This page includes everything you need to know about Advantis Credit, including which companies they typically collect for, why they might be getting in touch with you, and what you should do if you don’t think you should repay the debt.

Who are Advantis Credit?

Advantis Credit (also known as Advantis Credit Limited and Advantis Credit Ltd) is a debt collection agency that specialises in debt collection and credit management. They work on behalf of a number of businesses, including banks, utility providers, government bodies, and telecommunications companies. They are also the chosen debt collector for the Student Loans Company.

Established in 2004, the firm was acquired by JBW (now London-based CDER Group) in 2020 and now employs over 250 staff members, serving more than 2 million customers annually.

On their website, Advantis Credit pledges to work with each customer individually to ‘establish affordable and realistic repayment plans for the debt’. It’s also important to note that Advantis Credit is a debt collection agency, not a bailiff company. This means that they only have the same powers as your original creditor.

Which companies use Advantis Credit for debt collection?

Advantis Credit represents a number of well-known UK companies, such as high street retailers, energy suppliers, and government bodies.

Their client base is made up of some of the largest companies in the UK, including EE, BT, United Utilities, Thames Water, and HMRC.

This means that they could be contacting you about an unpaid store card, water bill, gas or electricity bill, self-assessment debt, DVLA fine, or tax credit overpayment. If you’ve used any of these companies in the last few years, that’s likely what they are contacting you about.

Where are Advantis Credit based?

Advantis Credit are based in Stoke-on-Trent. Their full address is:

Minton Hollins Building

Shelton Old Road

Stoke-on-Trent

Staffordshire

England

United Kingdom

 ST4 7RY

If you’re looking to contact Advantis debt collection to complain, this can be done by calling 01782 971 346 or emailing [email protected]. If you’re unsatisfied with the way your complaint is dealt with, you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which is the body that deals with complaints between consumers and companies within the enforcement industry.

Are Advantis Credit regulated?

Advantis Credit are regulated by a number of relevant organisations to ensure they are held to the highest industry standards.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Advantis Credit are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA’s main purpose is to ensure financial service companies are legally compliant and consumers are protected from harassment. This means that Advantis Credit must operate within a specific legal framework and adhere to specific rules and regulations during the debt recovery process.

Credit Services Association (CSA)

As well as the FCA, Advantis Credit are also members of the Credit Services Association (CSA). The CSA is the UK’s only trade association for the debt collection and debt purchase industries. It represents a range of companies, including debt collection firms, tracing agencies, and law firms.

How should I deal with Advantis Credit?

If you’ve received letters or phone calls from Advantis debt collectors, it’s important to respond accordingly. Because your original creditor is no longer involved, all communication from this point should be with the debt collection agency.

Here are the steps you should follow if you’re being contacted by a debt collection agency like Advantis Credit:

Confirm the debt is yours

Before you do or pay anything, you must confirm the debt is yours and the amount you’re being asked to pay is correct. To do this, compare the debt letter against your credit file and request more information from the debt collection agency if necessary.

If you don’t think the debt is yours, you can send a ‘prove it’ letter to the debt collection agency. They will then be required to provide proof that the debt is valid, inform you who the original creditor is, and list your total debt amount.

Pay in full if you can

If a debt collection agency has contacted you and you’re in a position to repay the debt in full, you should do so. This will put a stop to any further extra interest or charges being added to your account and allow you to move on from the debt for a fresh financial start.

Most debt collectors prefer full payment of the debt, but don’t worry if you’re not in a position to do so as it isn’t the only option available to you.

Arrange a payment plan

If you agree to owing the debt but you can’t afford your full balance upfront, you should be able to arrange a payment plan with a debt collector where you make regular instalments towards the debt for a fixed period.

This can allow you to settle your balance at a pace you can comfortably afford and, more importantly, prevent you from defaulting on your other financial obligations and falling into further financial hardship.

Seek free expert advice

If you’ve been contacted by a debt collector and you don’t how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out for free expert advice.

They should be able to guide you towards the right solution for you. Depending on your circumstances, you could be recommended for a gradual payment plan or a formal debt solution.

What happens if I don’t pay Advantis Credit?

Ignoring a debt collection agency is not recommended, even if you’re confident you don’t owe the debt you’re being asked to repay.

Here are some of the things that can happen if you ignore Advantis Credit:

Repeated contact from debt collectors

It can be tempting to ignore a debt collection agency in the hope that this gets them to stop contacting you about the debt, but this is unlikely.

Instead, you should expect them to continue contacting you until they get a response. This can mean you receive multiple letters, phone calls, and text messages about the debt, which can be frustrating and disrupt your day-to-day life.

Field agents can visit you at home

In most cases, debt collectors will carry out home visits to discuss the debt and come to an agreement with you over how you plan to repay it. This can be distressing, but there are rules they must adhere to when to do this to ensure it causes minimal stress to you and anyone you live with.

For example, they can only visit between certain times and must not threaten you or intimidate you into paying more than you can afford.

Legal action could be brought against you

If you repeatedly ignore debt collectors and they believe you’re not going to pay the debt, they could take legal action against you. Usually, they will do this by serving you with a County Court Judgment (CCJ).

A CCJ is a court order that instructs you to pay a debt in full or in instalments. It will be visible on your credit file for six years, which can make it extremely difficult to get approved for credit.

I don’t think I owe Advantis Credit any money. What are my options?

If Advantis Credit has contacted you about a debt that you’re certain you don’t owe, it’s still important to speak to them to understand why this has happened and to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Many people find themselves in a position where an old debt from years ago has caught up with them again, even if they didn’t know they owed anyone money in the first place. For example, you could have moved house and forgot to pay a final bill or you could have had a joint debt with someone else that wasn’t fully repaid.

Debt can materialise for a number of reasons. It’s always best to respond to a debt collection company to find out what the debt is for and, more importantly, if you should repay it. Even if you don’t recognise the name of the company, it’s likely they bought the debt from your original creditor and they will be able to tell you who this is when you get in touch.

You should never feel pressured to pay a debt you don’t think you owe. Just because you’ve receieved a letter with your name on it, it’s always a possibility that it’s been sent to you in error.