Types of debt · 4 min read
Letters from Lowell, Cabot or Intrum: what debt collectors can and can't do
Debt purchasers and collection agencies such as Lowell, Cabot and Intrum often buy or collect old debts. They aren't bailiffs and can't take your belongings. How to check the debt, ask for proof and respond.
- Fact-checked
- Against official sources
- Last updated
- Next review due
- April 2027
- Applies to
- England and Wales
- Sources
- 3 listed on this page
Independent guidance, not a government service. This page is general information about the law in England and Wales, not financial or legal advice. Debt solutions have fees, risks and consequences. For free, impartial advice, contact MoneyHelper or a debt charity.
The short answer
Firms such as Lowell, Cabot and Intrum are debt purchasers or collection agencies, not bailiffs. They often buy old debts from banks, phone and catalogue companies. They’re regulated by the FCA and can’t take your belongings or force entry. To enforce a debt, they’d first need a county court judgment. Check the debt is yours, ask for proof if needed, and offer only what you can afford.
Why a company you’ve never heard of is writing to you
When you fall behind, the original lender may sell your debt to a debt purchaser, or pass it to a collection agency. You should receive a notice of assignment telling you the debt has been sold. From then on, you deal with the new owner.
What debt collectors can and can’t do
| They can | They can’t |
|---|---|
| Write, call, text and email you, within reasonable limits | Take your belongings or send bailiffs without a court judgment |
| Ask you to pay or agree a plan | Force their way into your home |
| Add interest or charges only if your agreement allows | Pretend to be bailiffs or court officials |
| Take you to court for a county court judgment | Harass you or contact you at unreasonable times |
| Report the debt to credit reference agencies | Pursue a statute-barred debt through the courts |
They must follow the FCA’s rules, including treating you fairly and taking account of your circumstances. Read debt collectors vs bailiffs.
How to respond
- Don’t ignore the letters, but don’t pay straight away.
- Check it’s your debt. Does the amount and the original creditor match your records or credit file?
- Ask for proof if you’re not sure. For debts under a regulated credit agreement, you can ask for a copy of the agreement under the Consumer Credit Act (a small fee may apply). While the creditor can’t provide it, it can’t enforce the agreement through the courts.
- Check whether it’s statute-barred. If you haven’t paid or acknowledged it in writing for six years and there’s no court judgment, it may be. Read statute-barred debt explained.
- If it’s yours, offer an affordable payment based on a budget, after priority bills. Get the agreement in writing.
If you get court papers
Respond within the deadline. You can admit and offer instalments, or defend if the debt isn’t yours or is statute-barred. Ignoring court papers usually leads to a county court judgment, which can then lead to bailiffs, wage deductions or a charging order. Read what is a CCJ?
If you have several debts
Debt purchaser accounts can usually be included in debt solutions such as a DMP, IVA, DRO or bankruptcy. Read debt solutions compared.
Complaining about a debt collector
Complain to the firm first. If you’re not happy with the response, or haven’t had one within eight weeks, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
If the debt started as a credit card, read can’t pay your credit card? What happens and what to do.
Frequently asked questions
Can Lowell send bailiffs?
Not without first getting a county court judgment and then applying to enforce it. A letter from a debt purchaser on its own doesn’t give it bailiff powers.
Do I have to pay a debt that’s been sold?
If it’s a valid debt and not statute-barred, you still owe it to the new owner. You can still negotiate affordable payments.
Can a debt collector visit my home?
Some send doorstep agents, but they have no power to enter or take anything. You can ask them to leave and to contact you in writing.
Sources
How we wrote this article
- Research: written from primary sources such as legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK and the Insolvency Service, then fact-checked by a second member of our team. The sources are listed above.
- Checked: last checked on . Next review due April 2027, or sooner if the rules change.
- Scope: applies to England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, read our Scotland and Northern Ireland guide. It is general information, not personal advice.
- Independence: we are not a government website or service, and we are not connected to any council, court or enforcement company.
- Money: we may receive a fee if we introduce you to a debt advice firm. This doesn't change what we write. How we're paid.
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