DCBL Final Reminder Letter? Worst Case Scenario

Are you worrying about a DCBL final reminder letter? You’re in the right place for answers. Each month, over 170,000 visit our site for information about their debt issues, just like you.

This article will help you understand:

• The meaning of a DCBL final reminder letter.
• How to find out if a debt is really yours.
• The right way to deal with DCBL.
• Ways to set up a payment plan or write off some DCBL debt.
• Steps to take if you can’t afford a DCBL payment plan.

Research shows that 64% of UK adults find interactions with current debt collectors stressful¹. So, we understand how you feel.

Many of our team members have also dealt with debt collectors and financial issues. With our experience, we’ll help you understand your options when it comes to dealing with DCBL.

What is a DCBL final reminder letter?

DCBL may call or send you a letter. This letter informs you that they have been charged to recover the money you owe to their client. 

A final reminder letter is a subsequent letter that is sent after the initial letter was ignored, possibly because you thought DCBL was a scam or because you can’t afford to pay right now. 

This forum user ignored previous communications from DCBL and received a DCBL final reminder letter:

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6309439/dcbl-final-reminder 

The final reminder is highly likely to be the last communication from DCBL before their client takes court action – if they ever will. For this reason, these letters can also be called Letter Before Action. The letter must state that legal action will be taken if no action is taken by the debtor. 

Typical Debt Collection Process

As mentioned above, DCBL will send a letter or call to request payment. This is part of the first stage of the debt collection process.

To keep them from filing a CCJ against you, it’s important to understand all the key stages in the debt collector timeline. That’s why we’ve put together this table. If you’d like to learn more, please read our specialized guide.

Should I ignore a letter from DCBL?

We always recommend responding to debt collectors – even just to question the debt’s validity. Remember, you have the right to request proof of the debt. They have to prove it or they can’t charge you.

If you ignore a letter from DCBL, you run the risk of DCBL’s client taking court action against you. 

If the client is not willing to start litigation, it’s likely that you’ll continue to receive calls and letters asking you to pay. But this is never guaranteed, and it’s impossible to know the repercussions of ignoring DCBL. 

The impact of ignoring DCBL letter will far outweigh any benefits that you mistakenly think you’re getting from ignoring it.

DCBL final reminder letter – worst-case scenario

After receiving a DCBL final reminder and ignoring it, the worst-case scenario is that you are taken to court. If you really do owe the money and the court agrees with the claimant, you’ll be subject to a County Court Judgment (CCJ).

This is an order for you to pay the money to the claimant, making you legally responsible. It will also be recorded on a public register for fines, and your credit score will be affected.

What happens if a CCJ is issued?

A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is an order from a judge that states you have to pay the debt. This means that the court agrees with your creditor, and you owe the money.

Your judgement will include the following:

• How much you owe
• How you should pay
• Who you should pay
• Your deadline to pay.

Unless you pay within one month of the CCJ being issued, it will be recorded in the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines for 6 years. If you pay off your debt within these 6 years, you can request that your judgement is marked as ‚Äòsatisfied’ on the register.

To do this, write to the court with proof that you have paid off the debt in full.

If you manage to pay within one month of the CCJ being issued, the judgement will not be recorded in the register. You will need to write to the court explaining that you have paid and provide proof.

CCJs are also visible on your credit file for 6 years. This will make it almost impossible for you to get credit during this time.

This is because companies use your credit file to see if you are a ‚Äòhigh-risk’ customer – someone who might have difficulty paying their bills on time. If you have a CCJ, you have had such trouble paying back your debt that someone had to go to court about it.

Understandably, companies are going to be reluctant to give you credit!

After 6 years, it is no longer visible on your credit report and you should find it easier to get credit again.

What happens if you ignore a CCJ?

If you ignore a CCJ, the claimant can go back to the court and ask for a warrant to enforce the debt. The warrant, or a Writ of Control from the High Court, is used by enforcement agents to recover the money owed by entering the debtor’s property and seizing possessions.

Their possessions will be stored and eventually sold at auction. The sale proceeds will then be used to pay the claimant the money owed. Any leftover money will be given back to the debtor.

However, as soon as debt enforcement agents get involved, they can add fixed fees set down in law. These fees can be mighty expensive, so you should aim to avoid this escalation. If the claimant used DCBL to chase the debt, they might also use their bailiffs to recover the debt at this stage of the process. 

How to avoid litigation

The best method of avoiding DCBL court action is to pay your DCBL debt when you receive a DCBL final reminder letter. Alternatively, get in touch with them to ask for an affordable repayment plan.

Another option would be to ask for proof you owe the debt. You can request proof you own the debt before being made to pay, and you can do this with our prove the debt letter template. 

Can you set up a payment plan with DCBL?

The average unsecured debt has increased by 25% year-on-year, rising to ¬£13,941². As you can imagine, it’s common for people to struggle with debt.

So, if that’s your case and you can’t pay your debt, don’t worry. DCBL will welcome you to offer a repayment arrangement instead of paying the debt in full. The payment plan should show you’re doing your best to repay without causing financial insecurity and hardship.

If you want to discuss a payment plan with DCBL, it’s best to call them as soon as possible to reduce your chances of being taken to court.  

You could even get a brief internet freeze or similar as part of your payment negotiation with DCBL.

What if I can’t afford to use a DCBL payment plan?

You might be able to write off your parking fine debt with a debt solution or another of the debt relief options in the UK. Keep in mind that this is not guaranteed and depends on your type of fine and its legal status. If you are unsure, you need to speak to a debt charity to be sure.

There are several different debt solutions available in the UK, so we recommend speaking to a debt charity as soon as possible. Their advisors will be able to look at your finances in detail and help you work out which debt solution will work best for you.

We have linked a few charities that offer these advisory services for free below.

Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)

An IVA is a formal agreement between you and your creditors. You agree to pay a monthly sum that is distributed amongst your debts, and your creditors agree not to contact you during your IVA.

IVAs typically last for 5 or 6 years, and any outstanding debt is wiped off when it ends.

Keep in mind that IVAs are not suitable for everyone. You need to owe several thousand pounds to more than one creditor to be eligible. You also need to demonstrate that you have some disposable income every month.

Trust Deed

IVAs are not available in Scotland. Instead, you will need to opt for a Trust Deed.

Trust Deeds work in the same way as an IVA ‚Äì you pay an agreed sum each month that is shared amongst your creditors, they can’t contact you, and any leftover debt at the end of your Trust Deed term is written off.

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO is a good option for those facing financial hardship with no assets and little income.

For 12 months, you make no payments, but your creditors freeze your interest and don’t contact you.

If your finances haven’t improved during this year, you may be able to write off your unsecured debts.

Bankruptcy

If you have debts but no realistic possibility of ever paying them off, you may need to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy has an unfair stigma attached to it as it may be your only way of getting a fresh financial start. That said, it is a serious financial situation that should not be taken lightly.

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy.

If you have little income and no valuable assets, you may be able to apply for a minimal asset process bankruptcy (MAP). A MAP is a quicker, cheaper, and more straightforward version of sequestration, so worth considering.

How do I complain about DCBL?

If you think that DCBL has been unreasonable or behaved inappropriately, you can make a complaint. You can also make a complaint if you feel that they have broken any of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) guidelines.

Fortunately, the DCBL complaint process is straightforward.

Make your first complaint to DCBL so that they have the chance to sort out the issue themselves. If you feel that they have not taken your complaint seriously enough or have not addressed your issue properly, you can escalate matters.

You can make any secondary complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). They will investigate and, if your complaint is upheld, DCBL may be fined. You could even be owed compensation.

Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL) Contact Details

Website:	https://dcbltd.com/
Phone number for complaints:	0203 298 0201
Email address for complaints:	[email protected]
London Regional Office:	Solar House, 915 High Road, North Finchley, London, N12 8QJ
London Phone Number:	0203 613 1604
North West Regional Office:	Direct House, Greenwood Drive, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1UG
North West Phone Number:	01606 361 585
Midlands Regional Office:	Colmore Plaza, 20 Colmore Circus, Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT
Midlands Phone Number:	0121 581 0957
Scotland Regional Office:	Barn Cliuth Business Centre, Town Head Street, Hamilton, ML3 7DP
Scotland Phone Number:	0141 326 0228
Wales Regional Office:	Sophia House, 28 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ
Wales Phone Number:	0292 060 7141

References

1. Indebted Debt Collection Survey
2. StepChange Statistics Yearbook