Parking fines can be difficult to avoid, but ignoring letters from the local council or parking company can lead to further action being brought against you. This could include the debt being passed to a debt collection firm like Debt Recovery Plus.
Receiving letters or phone calls from debt collection agencies can be worrying – especially if you don’t recognise the name or you didn’t know you had debt in the first place. However, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
In this guide, we’ll explore Debt Recovery Plus in more detail. From who they are and where they’re based to how they collect unpaid debts and how to complain about them, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
Who is Debt Recovery Plus?
Founded in 2009, Debt Recovery Plus is one of the leading debt collection companies for parking charge notices, which are one of the most commonly issued penalties in the UK. This makes them one of the biggest debt collectors in the country.
The company is owned by the Bristow & Sutor Group, which is a UK-based enforcement agency that specialises in the enforcement of a wide range of debts, including council tax and parking fines.
They primarily deal with parking violations from private landowners and parking companies, but they also work on the recovery of County Court Judgments (CCJs) related to parking fines that have gone unpaid for some time.
The Debt Recovery Plus website states that they don’t own the land, issue the parking tickets, or deal with any appeals. They do, however, offer advice on how to deal with the debt as quickly and as efficiently as possible and, more importantly, in a way that avoids further legal action and costs.
They also claim to have the highest recovery rate in the industry and state that taking good care of motorists is their top priority.
Where is Debt Recovery Plus based?
Debt Recovery Plus is based in London, England.
Their full address is:
78 York Street
London
W1H 1DP
How does Debt Recovery Plus collect unpaid debts?
Debt Recovery Plus typically follows a set process for collecting unpaid debts. We’ve outlined the key steps in their debt collection process below:
Parking charge notice
The first step in the debt collection process is being issued with a parking charge notice. This is essentially another word for a parking fine.
In most cases, you’ll have 28 days to settle a parking fine and the total amount owed is typically reduced if you pay within 14 days.
However, if you don’t pay a parking fine within 28 days, you’ll likely be given a final 14 days to pay the original amount plus an additional 50% of the total debt.
Debt letter
Debt Recovery Plus usually gets involved if you have several unpaid parking fines from the same company or if you’ve continued to ignore a parking fine and the total amount owed has increased.
Like most debt collection agencies, they will usually send you a letter to let you know that they are now responsible for the debt.
This letter should also outline your personal contact details, the total amount owed, and your unique case number, which you’ll need for making payment.
Make payment
Once you’ve been contacted by Debt Recovery Plus, you must respond and arrange payment of the debt. This can be done by making full payment upfront or arranging a payment plan where you make regular instalments until your balance has been settled.
Simply log in using your unique case number and choose how you wish to pay. Payment can be made online, over the phone, or by bank transfer.
It’s important to keep a note of any payments made or agreements made in the event you’re contacted about the debt and asked to pay it after you’ve settled your balance.
Is Debt Recovery Plus regulated?
Debt Recovery Plus is accredited by the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC).
The BPA is a not-for-profit trade association serving parking and traffic management professionals across the UK. It provides a comprehensive framework for its members to adhere to when carrying out debt recovery action and aims to establish a fairer and more transparent system for all.
The IPC is the leading trade association for the professional parking community. It ensures its members uphold certain levels of professionalism and facilitates training courses to raise standards across the industry as a whole.
Unlike most debt collection firms, Debt Recovery Plus is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is because parking charge notices are non-consumer debts and therefore fall outside of the FCA’s scope of regulation.
What happens if I can’t afford to repay Debt Recovery Plus?
If you’ve ignored the debt for some time, chances are the total amount owed will have increased due to extra charges, interest, or fees. This can make it unaffordable to pay back – especially all at once.
However, you do have options for dealing with the debt other than paying it back in full:
Seek advice
If you can’t afford to repay the total amount owed, it’s crucial to seek advice so you know what your next steps should be. There are a number of free and impartial services available to help you better understand your options and get your financial situation back on track.
It can be tempting to ignore letters from debt collectors if you know you can’t afford the full amount, but this is unwise. In most cases, they will continue to contact you until they get a response and might resort to legal action to force you to pay what you owe.
Arrange a repayment plan
Most debt collectors will be happy to accept a payment plan with you where you make regular instalments towards your outstanding balance until the debt is settled. This can ensure they’re being repaid what they’re owed, even if it’s at a slower rate.
To work out how much you can afford towards the debt each month, take a look at your income and expenses and determine how much you have left over.
Consider a debt solution
If you can’t afford to repay the debt in full, you should check if you’re eligible for a debt solution where you make regular payments towards your outstanding balance over a set period.
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), for example, is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors to repay what you owe in monthly instalments over five to six years. Once you’ve made your final payment, any remaining debt will be written off.
Can Debt Recovery Plus take me to court over a parking fine?
Generally, debt collectors don’t have any more legal powers than creditors to get you to repay a debt and can only ask you to make payment. However, they can escalate your case if you continue to ignore them and this can result in court action being brought against you.
The most common form of legal action debt collectors take over unpaid debts is applying for a County Court Judgment (CCJ). This is a type of court order that forces you to repay a debt as per the court instructions (e.g. in full or in instalments).
Once a CCJ has been issued by the court, it will stay on your credit file for six years from the date it begins. This will make it difficult to get a loan, mortgage, phone contract, and even a bank account.
Can I complain about Debt Recovery Plus?
Even if you’ve let your debt escalate to the point where you’re being chased by debt collectors, you still have a legal right to be treated fairly and, more importantly, with respect.
Some debt collectors will threaten you with legal action to pressure you into paying or claim to be able to force entry into your home or take your belongings to repay the debt. This behaviour should be reported directly to the debt collection company itself or the necessary industry body.
The Financial Ombudsman Service also deals with complaints made about debt collection companies if it’s not resolved the first time around. If you’ve been told by the debt collection firm that your complaint has no basis, they should be able to investigate your claim and attempt to resolve the dispute.
Where can I get further advice and support about dealing with debt collection agencies?
Dealing with debt can be stressful – especially if you’re receiving intimidating letters and phone calls from debt collectors or you can’t afford the amount you’re being asked to repay. However, you don’t need to deal with it alone and sometimes, simply talking to the right person about it can make it feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
UK Debt Expert can review your financial situation and advise you on the best course of action for your circumstances, whether that’s a formal debt solution or a simple budget restructure.
Whether you’re being contacted by debt collectors or you’re anticipating collection action, don’t hesitate to get in touch. The more information you have, the more prepared you can be to navigate the debt repayment journey with confidence.