Can't Pay My Debt — What Are My Options?

If you are unable to keep up with your debt repayments, it is important to act sooner rather than later. Ignoring the problem can lead to further consequences including defaults, County Court Judgements (CCJs), and in some cases, bailiff action.

The good news is that there are legal options available in the UK that are specifically designed to help people in exactly this situation.

What Could Happen If You Stop Paying?

• Creditors may contact you more frequently by phone or letter
• Your account may be passed to a debt collection agency
• Defaults may be registered on your credit file
• A County Court Judgement (CCJ) may be issued against you
• In some cases, creditors may pursue enforcement action

What You Can Do Right Now

• Do not ignore correspondence from creditors — respond where you can
• Understand your rights — creditors cannot take certain actions without a court order
• Explore formal debt solutions — many options provide legal protection from creditor action
• Complete a free eligibility check to understand what solutions may be available to you

Solutions That May Help

What Creditors Can and Cannot Do

If you have stopped paying your debts, you may be feeling threatened by creditor communications. It is important to understand your rights, because creditors and debt collectors do not have unlimited power — even if their communications sometimes imply they do.

• Creditors cannot enter your home without your permission — only bailiffs with a court order can do so, and only after specific legal processes have been followed
• Debt collection agencies cannot threaten you with actions they cannot legally take — this is regulated by the FCA
• You have the right to request that communication be in writing rather than by phone
• Harassment by creditors is against the law — excessive calls, threatening language, and contacting third parties about your debt are all prohibited
• Once a formal debt solution is in place, such as an IVA, creditors are legally prevented from contacting you directly

If you feel you are being harassed by a creditor or debt collector, you can report this to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Hardest Part Is Starting — We Make It Simple

We know that when debt feels overwhelming, even the idea of completing a form can feel like too much. That is why our eligibility check is designed to be as fast and low-pressure as possible. Eight short questions. Under 60 seconds. No phone call required at this stage — just the information we need to give you a meaningful result.

Once you have submitted the check, an FCA-authorised provider will be in touch to discuss your situation in full. They will take you through all of your options, explain the implications of each clearly, and let you decide what — if anything — you want to do next. There is absolutely no pressure to proceed.

The first step is always the hardest. But thousands of people have been exactly where you are right now — and found a way through. Let us help you find yours.

Common Questions