Free, impartial debt advice is available from MoneyHelper and debt charities.

Debt collection and bailiff companies A to Z

Find the name on your letter. Each guide explains who the firm is, why they may be contacting you, what they can and cannot do, and what to do next.

Checked

Check if you qualify Takes about 3 minutes. Free and confidential.

Before you pay anyone, check the letter is genuine. Use the contact details on your own paperwork or on the original lender's official website, not a number from a search result. Our guide to your rights with debt collectors explains what any firm can and cannot do.

Some councils also use their own in-house enforcement agents rather than a firm. In Northern Ireland there are no private bailiff firms: court judgments are enforced by the Enforcement of Judgments Office.

87 companies covered. Not listed? Use the , or read the general guides to debt collectors and bailiffs.

Debt collection companies

Debt collection agencies, debt purchasers and solicitors. They cannot take your belongings without a court order.

ABCILMOPRW

Bailiff companies

Certificated enforcement agents (bailiffs) and High Court enforcement firms in England and Wales: every firm accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board or a member of CIVEA. They act after a court order or liability order, and can add fees set by law.

ABCDEGHIJLMNPRSTUW

Sheriff officer firms (Scotland)

Every firm of messengers-at-arms and sheriff officers in Scotland, as listed by their professional body, SMASO. Sheriff officers are officers of the court, not bailiffs, and Scots law gives them different powers.

ACDFGHJKLMNRSTW