{"id":5154,"date":"2024-11-27T17:15:03","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T16:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/?page_id=5154"},"modified":"2025-11-14T12:35:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T11:35:38","slug":"what-action-a-creditor-can-take","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/what-action-a-creditor-can-take\/","title":{"rendered":"What action a creditor can take"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"5154\" class=\"elementor elementor-5154\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d9c2057 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d9c2057\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1d554981\" data-id=\"1d554981\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68a92f7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68a92f7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ea6a095\" data-id=\"5ea6a095\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1488b64d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1488b64d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-25e35289\" data-id=\"25e35289\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45faeb30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45faeb30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Money Confidence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da36c4e hfe-nav-menu__align-left hfe-submenu-icon-arrow hfe-link-redirect-child hfe-nav-menu__breakpoint-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-navigation-menu\" data-id=\"da36c4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;dropdown_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"navigation-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu hfe-layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu-layout vertical\" data-layout=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"button\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu__toggle elementor-clickable\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Menu<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\"  class=\"fas fa-align-justify\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"hfe-nav-menu__layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu__submenu-arrow\" data-toggle-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;fas fa-align-justify&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-close-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;far fa-window-close&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-full-width=\"yes\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-da36c4e\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-701\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/save-money\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Save money<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-700\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/cutting-down-on-bills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Cutting down on bills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-699\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/increasing-your-income\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Increasing your income<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1981\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/energy-advice\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Energy Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1958\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence\/planning-for-christmas-2023\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Planning for Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2932\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/budgeting\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Budgeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2968\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/household-costs\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Household Costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-4742\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/life-skills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Life Skills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-5443\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-and-mind-hub\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money and Mind Hub<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6327\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence-resources\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money Confidence Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul> \n\t\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63158686 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63158686\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Select advice topic<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79eb9c44 hfe-nav-menu__align-left hfe-submenu-icon-arrow hfe-link-redirect-child hfe-nav-menu__breakpoint-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-navigation-menu\" data-id=\"79eb9c44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;dropdown_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"navigation-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu hfe-layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu-layout vertical\" data-layout=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"button\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu__toggle elementor-clickable\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Menu<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\"  class=\"fas fa-align-justify\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"hfe-nav-menu__layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu__submenu-arrow\" data-toggle-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;fas fa-align-justify&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-close-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;far fa-window-close&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-full-width=\"yes\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-79eb9c44\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-627\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/benefits\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Benefits<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-626\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/debt-and-money\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Debt and money<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-623\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/gambling\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Gambling<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-3890\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/scams-2\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Scams<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-625\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/employment-advice\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Employment Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1998\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/energy-advice\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Energy Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-622\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/housing\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Housing<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-621\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/food-vouchers\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Food Vouchers<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2298\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/other-sources-of-help\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Other sources of help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul> \n\t\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2589485a\" data-id=\"2589485a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d931d5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1d931d5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/What-action-a-creditor-can-take.png\" title=\"What action a creditor can take\" alt=\"What action a creditor can take\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dca1dca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2dca1dca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019ve stopped paying your bills or repaying your debts, a creditor might take legal action to try and retrieve the money you owe them.<\/p><p>You should seek help immediately, Citizen Advice is able to help and support you with your debts. You can find your local Citizen Advice and contact them.<\/p><p>The following explains the different ways you can be ordered to pay back the money through county court judgments and using bailiffs. There are other ways creditors can recover money including deductions from benefits and earnings which do not require a county court judgment or involve bailiffs. For more information, you can read the guide \u2018What happens if I can\u2019t pay my debts.\u2019<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebd6300 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ebd6300\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bailiffs <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-340718b3 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"340718b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the ways a creditor can retrieve their money is by using a bailiff. <br \/>A bailiff, also known as an \u2018enforcement agent\u2019, is someone who will visit your home if you fail to pay your debts. <strong>These debts include things like:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Council Tax bills<\/li><li>County court judgment<\/li><li>High court judgment<\/li><li>Family court judgment<\/li><li>Parking fines<\/li><li>Court fines<\/li><\/ul><p>If you haven\u2019t paid a debt you might be sent a letter from bailiffs (called a notice of enforcement) saying they will visit your home to collect payment. Bailiffs must usually give you at least 7 days\u2019 notice before they do their first visit.<\/p><p><strong>There are different kinds of bailiffs, known as:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>certificated enforcement agents (also known as civil enforcement agents)<\/li><li>high court enforcement officers<\/li><li>county court bailiffs<\/li><li>bailiffs who enforce magistrates\u2019 court fines and warrants for arrests (either \u2018civilian enforcement officers\u2019 or \u2018Approved Enforcement Agents\u2019)<\/li><\/ul><p>A bailiff might also visit your home for other reasons such as delivering or serving a court document or giving notices and summons.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a5a9d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5a5a9d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Check the notice of enforcement is valid<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bbea3c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bbea3c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You should first make sure your notice of enforcement includes the right information. If it doesn\u2019t, you can complain to stop the bailiffs from coming until a new notice is sent.<\/p><p><strong>For your notice to be valid it must:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>show your correct name and address<\/li><li>show what debt you owe and state the correct amount<\/li><li>explain that you have 7 days\u2019 notice before the bailiffs can visit\u00a0<\/li><li>come from a registered bailiff, not a debt collector &#8211; you can check on the Bailiffs Register on the Justice website<\/li><li>be sent to you by letter &#8211; either by post, fax, email, by being fixed to your front door if you don\u2019t have a letterbox or by being given to you<\/li><li>be written in a certain legal style &#8211; see an example of a notice of enforcement on GOV.UK<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e1de76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8e1de76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Work out what day the bailiffs will visit on<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca610d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca610d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After sending you the notice of enforcement, the bailiffs have to wait 7 full days before they can visit you. This doesn\u2019t include the day you get the notice, the day of the visit or Sundays and bank holidays.<\/p><p>For example, if you get your notice on Monday, the bailiffs can\u2019t visit you until the Wednesday of the next week.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-211e412 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"211e412\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">If your notice of enforcement is from a debt collector<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17c922d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17c922d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your notice of enforcement won\u2019t be valid if it\u2019s come from a debt collector.\u00a0 They don\u2019t have the same powers as bailiffs &#8211; they can\u2019t come to your home to collect a debt. You can send them away if they do.<\/p><p>Even if you send the debt collector away, if you owe the debt, you\u2019ll still need to make arrangements to deal with it. Find out how to deal with debts.<\/p><p>If you think your notice of enforcement has come from a debt collector and you\u2019re worried about dealing with them, contact your nearest Citizens Advice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63142d85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"63142d85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Money-and-mind-hub-photo-2.png\" title=\"Money and mind hub photo 2\" alt=\"Money and mind hub photo 2\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f56127 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f56127\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Preparing for a bailiff visit<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-713295bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"713295bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you haven\u2019t been able to pay your debt or set up a payment arrangement and the bailiffs are coming to your home, you don\u2019t have to let them in.<\/p><p><strong>You can stop them from getting in and from taking your belongings by:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>telling everyone in your home not to let them in<\/li><li>not leaving any doors open (they can enter through an open door)<\/li><li>parking or locking your car in a garage away from your home<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29098848 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"29098848\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bailiffs visiting your home\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5ddc6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5ddc6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Bailiffs visiting your home can be a stressful experience but you have rights:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Bailiffs are only allowed to try to come into your home between 6am and 9pm.<\/li><li>They cannot use force to enter your home, for example pushing past you.<\/li><li>The only exception is when they come to collect criminal fines, Income Tax or Stamp Duty but they will only use this as the last resort.<\/li><li>Bailiffs can only enter your home through a door or other usual means of entry. This might include an unlocked garage door. They are not allowed to climb over gates or fences or through windows.<\/li><li>They\u2019re also not allowed to enter if the only people in your home are under the age of 16 or vulnerable adults.<\/li><\/ul><p>Where possible, you shouldn\u2019t let a bailiff into your home &#8211; it\u2019s always best to try to sort out your debt by keeping them outside and speaking through the door or over the phone.<\/p><p>Make sure your doors are locked and your windows are closed &#8211; bailiffs are allowed to come in through unlocked doors. If you have a porch with a lockable door you should lock this too.<\/p><p><strong>Call 999 if you\u2019re being physically threatened by a bailiff.<\/strong><\/p><p><b>Before you speak to bailiffs, check the extra rules they should follow if you:<\/b><\/p><ul><li>are disabled or seriously ill<\/li><li>have mental health problems<\/li><li>have children or are pregnant<\/li><li>are under 18 or over 65<\/li><li>don\u2019t speak or read English well<\/li><li>are in a stressful situation like a recent bereavement or unemployment<\/li><\/ul><p>You might be able to get more time to deal with the notice of enforcement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34cf5e49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"34cf5e49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Get proof of who they are<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29d16c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29d16c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The first thing to do when a bailiff arrives is to ask for proof of who they are and why they\u2019re visiting.<\/p><p>If they say they\u2019re a \u2018debt collector\u2019 tell them to leave. They don\u2019t have the same powers as bailiffs and they have to go if you ask them to.<\/p><p>If they say they\u2019re a bailiff or enforcement agent, ask them to show you a badge, ID card or \u2018enforcement agent certificate\u2019. All registered bailiffs have to carry proof of who they are.<\/p><p>They\u2019ll also need to tell you which company they\u2019re from and give you a telephone contact number for the head office.<\/p><p>Tell them to pass the documents through your letterbox or show you at a window. Their proof of identity will show their name and what kind of bailiff they are.<\/p><p><strong>To check their identity you should either:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>check the certificated bailiff\u2019s register &#8211; if they say they\u2019re a certificated enforcement agent<\/li><li>check the directory &#8211; if they say they\u2019re a high court enforcement officer<\/li><li>contact the court that sent them &#8211; if they say they\u2019re a county court bailiff, family court bailiff or a civilian enforcement officer<\/li><\/ul><p>Tell them to leave if they can\u2019t prove who they are. Say you\u2019ll report them to the police if they don\u2019t go. If they won\u2019t leave you should call 999.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85f2286 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"85f2286\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/photo-things-they-didnt-teach-you-at-school-10.png\" title=\"photo things they didn&#8217;t teach you at school 10\" alt=\"photo things they didn&#039;t teach you at school 10\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65eca95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65eca95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Check if bailiffs can take property from your home<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56978005 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56978005\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Bailiffs need to follow extra rules if they\u2019re collecting the following types of debt:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>your local council &#8211; for example council tax or a parking fine<\/li><li>court fines you owe<\/li><li>child maintenance<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Even though the bailiffs can\u2019t take property from inside your home, they can still:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>take your things from a road or driveway &#8211; like your car<\/li><li>talk to you<\/li><li>collect money<\/li><li>give you documents<\/li><\/ul><p>If bailiffs visited you when they shouldn\u2019t have or didn\u2019t follow the rules, you can check how to complain about bailiffs.<\/p><p><strong>If bailiffs say they\u2019re evicting you <\/strong><\/p><div>If you get a letter saying bailiffs are going to evict you, find out how to deal with eviction by bailiffs on <a href=\"https:\/\/england.shelter.org.uk\/housing_advice\/eviction\/what_happens_when_bailiffs_evict_tenants\">Shelter\u2019s website.<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c87f8ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c87f8ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">County Court judgment<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5531148 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5531148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you owe money and you don\u2019t pay it back your creditor might take you to court.<\/p><p>You should reply to the claim as soon as possible &#8211; usually within 2 weeks. If you disagree you owe the debt, mention this to your creditor in your reply.<\/p><p>You should also check your options for getting out of debt &#8211; you might be able to agree on a plan with your creditor instead of going to court.<\/p><p>If you\u2019re taken to court, a court order will be made. If you need to pay the debt, the court order will say how much you need to pay and when you need to pay by.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6357e8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6357e8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Check your creditor has sent you the right documents<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0b5a42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d0b5a42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your creditor has to send you the right documents before taking you to court. If they haven\u2019t, you might be able to challenge the claim.<\/p><p>When you borrowed the money you should have been asked to sign an agreement that says what you and your creditor agree to.<\/p><p>For most credit agreements, you\u2019ll be covered by the Consumer Credit Act. If you\u2019re not sure, find out if your credit agreement is covered by the Consumer Credit Act by visiting your local Citizen Advice.<\/p><p>If your agreement is covered by the Consumer Credit Act, your creditor must follow all 3 steps of the process before taking you to court for debt.<\/p><p><strong>Your creditor must send you a:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>default notice<\/li><li>letter of claim<\/li><li>claim pack<\/li><\/ul><p>If your agreement isn\u2019t covered by the Consumer Credit Act, your creditor might not send you a default notice &#8211; they might send you a \u2018final demand\u2019 or another document instead.<\/p><p>Your creditor still has to send you a letter of claim and a claim pack, even if your agreement isn\u2019t covered by the Consumer Credit Act.<\/p><p>If you feel your creditor hasn\u2019t acted properly, you might be able to challenge the claim against you. For example, if your creditor hasn\u2019t warned you of the debt or they\u2019ve started legal action too quickly. You should contact your nearest Citizens Advice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a05ef4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2a05ef4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Default notice<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f5f317 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f5f317\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The default notice includes details of what payments you missed and how long you have to pay. Your creditor has to give you at least 2 weeks to respond. After 2 weeks they can send you a letter of claim. If you make the missed payments, your creditor won\u2019t take any further action.<\/p><p>The default notice also includes a fact sheet from the Financial Conduct Authority which explains your rights.<\/p><p><strong>At the top of the first page, it should say:<\/strong><\/p><p>\u2018Important you should read this carefully\u2019<\/p><p>\u2018Default notice served under section 87(1) Consumer Credit Act 1974\u2019<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24c479b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"24c479b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Letter of claim<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c406cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c406cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your creditor will have sent you a \u2018letter of claim\u2019 because they want to start legal action. This gives you 30 days to reply.<\/p><p><strong>The letter of claim should have come with:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>a \u2018reply form\u2019 &#8211; use this form to say if you agree you owe the debt or say you need more time<\/li><li>a \u2018standard financial statement\u2019 &#8211; use this to make an offer of payment if you can\u2019t afford to pay the debt in full<\/li><li>details of advice organisations<\/li><li>an information sheet explaining how you and your creditor should act<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aed74c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4aed74c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Claim pack<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b57c67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b57c67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you and your creditor don\u2019t reach an agreement, they can start legal action against you.<\/p><p>If your creditor has started legal action, the court will have sent you a \u2018claim pack\u2019.<\/p><p>You\u2019re given 2 weeks to reply to your creditor from the day you receive the claim pack.<\/p><p>You should always check the documents are genuine. The form name should be at the top and the form number in the bottom right corner.<\/p><p>There should be 4 forms in the claim pack, which you can also download from GOV.UK:<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-n1-claim-form-cpr-part-7\"><strong>\u2018N1: Claim form\u2019<\/strong> <\/a>&#8211; this tells you how much you owe and what the debt is.<\/p><div><div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-n9-response-pack\"><strong>\u2018N9: Response pack\u2019<\/strong> <\/a>&#8211; use this to tell the court you need 4 weeks to prepare your defence if you disagree with the debt.<br \/><span style=\"color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;\"><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-n9a-form-of-admission-specified-amount\"><b>\u2018N9A: Admission (a specified amount)\u2019<\/b><\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;\"> &#8211; use this to tell your creditor you agree to all or part of a debt, and make an offer to pay.<\/span><\/p><\/div><div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-n9b-defence-counterclaim-specified-amount\"><strong>\u2018N9B: Defence and counterclaim\u2019<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; use this to defend a claim if you disagree with the debt, or make a counterclaim if you think your creditor owes you money.<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4db8da8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4db8da8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Money-and-mind-hub-photo-3.png\" title=\"Money and mind hub photo 3\" alt=\"Money and mind hub photo 3\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b15ce2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b15ce2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Once a county court judgment is made<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88216f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88216f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If this is not paid within 28 days the creditor can have it enforced.<strong> This could be by:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>taking control of goods<\/li><li>taking money from wages<\/li><li>taking money from your bank account<\/li><li>securing the debt on your home<\/li><li>if more than \u00a35000 is owed, applying to make you bankrupt<\/li><\/ul><p><em><strong>If you are unable to pay, get advice as soon as possible.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d9799c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d9799c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Get help with your debts<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18193bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"18193bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a title=\"Contact Us\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/contact-us\/\"><strong>Contact us\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nationaldebtline.co.uk\"><b>National Debtline<\/b><\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Debtline provides free information and advice to people living in England, Wales <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and Scotland. It also provides an information pack on dealing with debt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Telephone: 0808 808 4000 or webchat with an adviser<\/strong><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and on Saturday, 9.30am to 1pm<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stepchange.org\"><b>Stepchange<\/b><\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">StepChange Debt Charity offers free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt. They can also set up plans to help you pay off your debts within a reasonable timeframe if that is the best option for you.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Telephone: 0800 138 1111 or webchat with an adviser<\/strong> <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday to Friday, 8am to 8 pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm (webchat 9am to 2pm)<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.payplan.com\"><b>Payplan<\/b><\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PayPlan offers free debt advice and solutions to clients. \u00a0 They can also set up plans to help you pay off your debts within a reasonable timeframe if that is the best option for you<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Telephone: 0800 716 239 or web chat with an adviser<\/strong><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and on Saturday 9am to 3pm<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneyadvicetrust.org\/advice-services\/business-debtline\"><b>Money Advice Trust Business Debt line<\/b><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fe69d62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4fe69d62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Worried-about.-debt-what-action-your-creditor-can-take.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Download the factsheet here!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48297c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"48297c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Copy-of-project-funder-logos-1.png\" title=\"Copy of project funder logos (1)\" alt=\"Copy of project funder logos (1)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e0bf142 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e0bf142\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Please see our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us<\/a>&nbsp;page for details on how to access our help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5><strong>You can access help on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/debt-and-money\/\">Citizens Advice National website.<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5><strong>There are also lots of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/other-sources-of-help\/\">other sources of help<\/a>&nbsp;available locally.<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources Select advice topic Menu Benefits Debt and money Gambling Scams Employment Advice Energy Advice Housing Food Vouchers Other sources of help If you\u2019ve stopped paying your &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/what-action-a-creditor-can-take\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What action a creditor can take<\/span> Read More 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