A call or letter claiming you owe money, with threats of court action, bailiffs, or arrest unless you pay immediately. For many people the fear response kicks in before the critical thinking does — which is exactly what these scams rely on.
Scammers claim you owe money on an old, sometimes entirely fabricated, debt — a fake payday loan, an unpaid fine, or a debt that was already settled years ago. They apply intense pressure, often threatening bailiffs or court action within hours unless you pay immediately, usually via bank transfer or gift cards.
Some versions use real data broker information to sound convincing, referencing your correct address or employer.
A genuine debt collector must provide their company name, a way to verify their identity, and written confirmation of the debt if requested — and must give you time to check before threatening enforcement action.
Check the Financial Conduct Authority register at register.fca.org.uk to confirm a debt collection company is genuinely authorised.
Contact the original creditor directly, using a number you find independently, not one given by the caller.
Don't pay anything under pressure. Hang up, verify independently, and if you believe it's a scam, report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. Citizens Advice can also help verify genuine debts.
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Fake debt collectors often use real personal details bought from data broker sites to sound credible. Remove your data to reduce this risk.
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