CCS Collect is a debt management business that might contact you if you’ve got an outstanding debt that’s gone unpaid for some time and your original creditor has passed it to a debt collection agency.

Getting letters or phone calls about your debt from a company you don’t recognise can be daunting, but the important thing is not to panic. Whether or not you agree to owing to money you’re being asked to pay, there are several options available to you.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about CCS Collect. From where they are based to how to respond, the more you know about a debt collection agency, the more prepared you can be to navigate the situation.

Who is CCS Collect?

Commercial Collection Services Limited – better known as CCS Collect – is a debt collection company that operates nationwide.

For over forty years, it has been specialising in the collection of debts on behalf of private firms, financial institutions, and government departments. This includes the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the NHS Business Services Authority.

Some of the outstanding debts collected by CCS collect include credit cards, council tax, catalogues, payday loans, utility bills, and tax arrears.

Where is CCS Collect based?

CCS Collect is based in Croydon, Surrey.

Their full address is:

Norfolk House

Wellesley Road

Croydon

CR0 1GR

Is CCS Collect a regulated debt collection agency?

CCS Collect is regulated by all the relevant industry bodies to carry out a broad range of debt collection services in the UK.

Most importantly, they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is the main independent regulator of financial services in the UK. Formally established in 2013, it oversees over 50,000 firms within the financial services.

They are also accredited by the Credit Services Association (CSA), which is the trade association for debt collection and debt purchasing companies. With a history dating back to 1902, its 400-plus membership accounts for over 90% of the industry.

Being both FCA-regulated and CSA-accredited means that CCS Collect must adhere to specific rules, regulations, and guidelines related to the fair treatment of customers facing debt – especially those in vulnerable situations.

Why is CCS Collect contacting me?

We know how daunting it can be to be contacted by a debt collection agency – especially one you don’t recognise – but it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Firstly, it usually means the company you owe money to has passed the debt on to another company with more time and resources to chase the debt on their behalf.

According to CCS Collect’s website, they don’t purchase debt, they only collect debts that have been transferred to them by creditors (e.g. banks, utility companies, local authorities). This is common practice during the debt collection process and, in most cases, means nothing about the original debt has changed apart from where you should send payment.

CCS Collect essentially acts as an intermediary between you and your original creditor, ensuring all money owed is recovered fairly and efficiently.

Some common reasons for being contacted by CCS Collect include unpaid bills, loan defaults, government debts, missed payment plan instalments, and outstanding memberships or subscriptions. The debt they are contacting you about should be clearly outlined in the first letter they send you.

How should I respond to contact from CCS Collect?

When you’re contacted by a debt recovery firm like CCS Collect, it’s important to respond in the right way. We’ve included a set of steps you should follow when you receive a debt collection letter below:

Verify the debt

Before doing anything, it’s crucial to verify the debt by checking it belongs to you and that it’s for the right amount. The initial debt letter should contain basic information about the debt in question, but it’s always best to talk to the debt collector over the phone to clarify the information provided.

It can be tempting to ignore CCS Collect in the hopes that this makes them stop contacting you, but this won’t happen. Instead, they will continue to call or write to you until they get a response.

Pay the debt upfront

If you agree to owing the debt and you’re in a position to make full payment, it’s always recommended to do so as soon as possible. This will put a stop to all collection efforts and allow you to move on from the debt while you work to improve your damaged credit score.

The debt letter you receive will tell you your options for making payment, but it is usually done online through the company’s online portal or over the phone.

Set up a repayment plan

If you’re committed to dealing with your unpaid debts but can’t afford to repay the full amount at once, most debt collection agencies will be happy to help you set up a repayment plan where you make regular instalments until the balance has been repaid.

Once you’ve agreed on a monthly amount, the best way to do this is to set up a direct debit from your bank to the debt collection firm.

Can CCS Collect visit me at my address?

Most debt collectors contact you using letters, phone calls, and emails. However, if CCS Collect believes they are being continually ignored, their debt recovery process can include instructing ‘doorstep agents’ to visit you at your address.

This can be scary, but it’s important to remember that they don’t have any extra legal powers to get you to pay and they can’t force entry into your home. They can only ask you to pay or set up a repayment plan where you make regular instalments towards your outstanding balance.

Some debt collectors use the threat of legal action to intimidate you into handing over money, but they can’t pursue this avenue without a court order, no matter what they tell you.

Can CCS Collect take me to court?

CCS Collect doesn’t have any more legal powers than your original creditor, but they can take further against you if continually refuse to pay or if they believe you have the means to pay but are withholding payment for whatever reason.

The most common action taken by debt collectors to recover money for overdue payments is to apply to the court for a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This is a court order that instructs you to repay a debt as per the court’s instructions (e.g. in full or in monthly instalments) within a set timeframe.

Having a CCJ on your credit report for six years can severely damage your credit score. This will make it difficult to get approved for any form of credit, including a credit card, mortgage, utility agreement, payday loan, bank account, and even a phone contract.

Failure to repay a CCJ will result in further legal action being taken against you, which will make your already damaged credit score even worse.

What if I can’t afford to repay CCS Collect?

If you can’t afford to repay CCS Collect – even with a repayment plan – you still have options. In the UK, various debt solutions exist to help you deal with your unaffordable debt in a way that’s manageable for you.

We’ve outlined some of the most common debt solutions that might be available to you below:

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors to repay your unsecured debt at a rate you can comfortably afford. It is only available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

During an IVA, all interest and charges will be frozen and your creditors won’t be able to contact you. This could give you peace of mind to deal with the debt without any unnecessary distractions.

Most IVAs last between five and six years, after which time any of the debt that’s included in the arrangement but not repaid will be written off. This means you only repay a percentage of your total debt.

Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a government scheme that can help you repay what you owe in a manageable way without the threat of legal action. It is only available in Scotland.

Under the DAS, you’ll make one regular payment into a Debt Payment Plan (DPP). This amount will then be split among your creditors, ensuring they all receive a set amount until the debt has been repaid.

Unlike an IVA, you’ll stay in the DAS until your total debt has been repaid. Depending on the amount of debt you have, this can mean it lasts anywhere from a few months to several years.

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is an informal agreement with your creditors to repay your debt in affordable monthly payments. It is available throughout the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

DMPs must be managed by a DMP provider and can only be used to deal with non-priority debts. This includes things like credit cards, store cards, overdrafts, and personal loans.

Like a DAS, there is no set time a DMP lasts. It can be shortened if you increase your payments and take longer if your circumstances worsen.

Debt settlement

Another option available to you is negotiating a debt settlement agreement where you offer to pay a portion of the debt in exchange for CCS Collect writing off the rest.

The amount they are willing to accept can vary but you should suggest as much as you can, ideally between 80% and 90% of your total debt.

However, it’s important to remember that despite the debt being settled, it won’t be noted on your credit file that the debt has been repaid in full. This could continue to harm your chances of getting credit for six years.

Can I contact CCS Collect directly?

CCS Collect can be contacted directly for account queries and payments. We’ve provided the contact details you need to get in touch with them below:

Call: 020 8665 4929

Email: [email protected]

Post: Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1GR

Where can I seek advice about debt collection agencies?

If you’re facing severe financial difficulty and need help to know where to turn, don’t hesitate to reach out for free debt advice from UK Debt Expert. We will assess your situation and advise you on the best course of action for your circumstances, whether that’s an IVA or budgeting advice.

Alternatively, a debt charity can assess your financial situation and give you advice on how best to move forward. They can help you create a plan to deal with your debt and move forward financially, whether you’ve already got a County Court Judgement (CCJ) or you’re just worried about your financial situation getting worse.

Finally, if you believe you’re being harassed or treated unfairly by CCS Collect debt collectors, you can file a complaint directly with the debt collection agency or the Financial Ombudsman Service. They are required to thoroughly review your complaint and inform you of the outcome of their investigation.