Credit Solutions Ltd is a debt collection agency operating in the UK for over 30 years. They collect debts on behalf of banks, credit card companies, and utilities, and they also purchase debt portfolios outright. They’re known for sending field agents to visit homes, which can feel intimidating. But here’s what matters: Credit Solutions are NOT bailiffs. Their field agents can knock on your door, but they have no legal power to enter your home or take your belongings.
If you owe £6,000+ across multiple debts, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) can stop Credit Solutions immediately and write off the remaining debt after 5-6 years.
Quick answers#
Can Credit Solutions send bailiffs to my home? No. Credit Solutions are debt collectors, not bailiffs. Their field agents can visit your home and knock on your door, but they have no legal power to force entry, take your belongings, or clamp your vehicle.
Are Credit Solutions legitimate? Yes. Credit Solutions Ltd (Company 03232898) is FCA-authorised (Reference 681086) and has operated since 1996. They’re based in Purley, Surrey and collect debts for major creditors.
Can an IVA stop Credit Solutions? Yes. All debts Credit Solutions collects are unsecured, which means they can be included in an IVA. Once approved, they must stop all contact including doorstep visits.
Who are Credit Solutions Ltd?#
Credit Solutions Ltd (Company 03232898) was founded in 1996 and specializes in debt collection and purchase. Like some agencies, they operate a field service where agents visit homes when phone calls and letters haven’t worked.
Company details:
- Registered office: Capella Court, Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey, CR8 2PG
- Company number: 03232898
- FCA reference: 681086 (authorised since 1 April 2014)
Credit Solutions is fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA). They collect debts on behalf of banks, credit card companies, utility providers, and telecoms companies. They also purchase debt portfolios, meaning they sometimes own the debt outright rather than acting as an agent.
Why is Credit Solutions contacting me?#
Credit Solutions operates as a debt collection agency, collecting debts on behalf of other companies. When your bank, credit card company, or utility provider can’t recover a debt directly, they hire Credit Solutions to collect it.
This is why you might not recognise Credit Solutions’ name:
You had a credit card with Barclays. You fell behind on payments. Barclays tried to contact you for 6 months. Barclays then hired Credit Solutions to collect the debt. A Credit Solutions letter (or field agent) arrives, and you think “I don’t owe money to Credit Solutions”—but you do owe money to Barclays, and Credit Solutions is acting as their agent.
Who instructs Credit Solutions:
- High street banks (credit cards, loans, overdrafts)
- Utility companies (gas, electricity, water)
- Telecoms providers (mobile phones, broadband)
- Catalogue and store card companies
- Retailers and mail order companies
Credit Solutions also purchases debt portfolios outright, meaning they own the debt and collect for themselves rather than acting as an agent.
Check the original debt:
Every Credit Solutions letter must state the “original creditor”—the company you originally owed money to. If you’ve never heard of that company, or if you believe the debt is wrong, you have the right to dispute it and request proof.
Can Credit Solutions send bailiffs to my home?#
No. Credit Solutions are debt collectors, not bailiffs.
This is particularly important to understand because Credit Solutions operates a field service. Their agents can (and do) visit your home, but they are not bailiffs and have no legal powers.
What Credit Solutions field agents CAN do:
- Knock on your door
- Speak to you politely
- Hand you information about your debt
- Offer to discuss repayment options
- Show you ID (they must carry this)
What Credit Solutions field agents CANNOT do:
- Force entry to your home
- Enter without your permission
- Take your belongings
- Clamp your vehicle
- Threaten you
- Damage your property
- Refuse to leave when asked
- Discuss your debt with neighbors
If a Credit Solutions field agent visits:
- You don’t have to let them in. Speak through a closed door if you prefer.
- Ask for ID. They should show a Credit Solutions badge.
- Don’t sign anything on the doorstep.
- Don’t feel intimidated. They’re collectors, not bailiffs—they can’t take anything.
- If they’re aggressive or won’t leave, call the police.
- If they speak to your neighbors, complain immediately. This breaches FCA rules.
Can Credit Solutions take me to court?#
Yes—and this is where their real power lies.
While Credit Solutions field agents can’t seize goods, the company can take legal action if the debt remains unpaid.
The legal escalation process:
1. Pre-Action Protocol (30-day warning)
Before Credit Solutions can issue a court claim, they must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, sending a formal “Letter of Claim” giving you 30 days to respond.
2. County Court claim
If you don’t respond or arrange payment, Credit Solutions will instruct solicitors to issue a County Court claim. You’ll receive court papers (form N1) at your address.
3. County Court Judgment (CCJ)
If you don’t defend the claim, the court will enter a judgment against you. This is a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which:
- Stays on your credit file for 6 years
- Makes it nearly impossible to get credit, mortgages, or phone contracts
- Allows Credit Solutions to enforce through bailiffs
4. Enforcement after a CCJ
Once Credit Solutions has a CCJ, they can apply for:
- Attachment of Earnings Order: Your employer deducts money from your wages
- Charging Order: Credit Solutions secures the debt against your property (if you’re a homeowner)
- Warrant of Control: The court issues a warrant allowing actual bailiffs to seize goods
Don’t ignore court papers. If you receive a “Claim Form” (form N1), you have 14 days to respond. Ignoring it guarantees a CCJ.
Is the debt really yours?#
Before you pay Credit Solutions anything, verify the debt is actually yours.
Request proof under the Consumer Credit Act 1974:
If the debt is a credit agreement (credit card, loan, mobile phone contract), you have the right to request a copy of the original agreement under Section 77 or 78.
Write to Credit Solutions:
Credit Solutions Ltd
Capella Court
Brighton Road
Purley
Surrey
CR8 2PGSay:
“I’m writing regarding account reference [your reference number]. Under Section 77/78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I request a true copy of the executed credit agreement for this debt. I also request a full breakdown of how the current balance has been calculated. I don’t acknowledge this debt until I receive proof.”
Credit Solutions has 12 working days to respond. If they can’t provide a valid agreement, they can’t enforce the debt through the courts.
When is a debt statute-barred?
If you haven’t acknowledged a debt or made a payment in 6 years (England/Wales) or 5 years (Scotland), it might be statute-barred.
Statute-barred debts can’t be enforced through the courts. Credit Solutions can still ask you to pay, but they can’t take legal action.
Warning: If you make a payment (even £1) or acknowledge the debt in writing, the 6-year clock resets.
Will Credit Solutions accept a settlement?#
Yes—Credit Solutions typically accepts full and final settlements of 40-70% of the debt value.
Like most debt collectors, Credit Solutions would rather receive a lump sum settlement than wait years for monthly payments or an IVA dividend.
How to negotiate a settlement:
- Don’t offer first. Let Credit Solutions tell you what they want.
- Start lower. If they want 70%, offer 40-50%.
- Explain your circumstances. “I’ve been offered help from family, but they can only lend £X.”
- Get it in writing. Never pay until you have written confirmation that the settlement clears the debt in full.
- Pay via bank transfer and keep proof of payment.
How to stop Credit Solutions with an IVA#
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between you and all your creditors (including Credit Solutions) to repay what you can afford over 5-6 years. At the end, any remaining debt is written off—typically 60-80%.
Why an IVA stops Credit Solutions:
Once your IVA is approved, all creditors—including Credit Solutions—must:
- Stop contacting you
- Stop all doorstep visits
- Stop legal action
- Freeze interest and charges
- Accept the monthly payment your Insolvency Practitioner distributes
What debts can be included?
All of the debts Credit Solutions collects are unsecured, which means they’re includable in an IVA:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Mobile phone contracts
- Catalogue debts
- Store cards
- Utility arrears
To qualify for an IVA, you typically need:
- £6,000+ in unsecured debt
- Two or more creditors
- A regular income (employed or self-employed)
- Spare income after essential bills (usually £80-100/month minimum)
Check if you qualify for an IVA
How to deal with Credit Solutions calls and visits#
You have rights:
Request written communication only. You can tell Credit Solutions (verbally or in writing) that you only want to be contacted by post. They must comply under FCA rules. This stops the calls and doorstep visits.
Don’t admit the debt until you’ve verified it. If you don’t recognise the debt, say: “I need to see proof of this debt in writing before I can discuss it.”
Don’t make a payment just to make them go away. Paying even £1 can restart the statute-barred clock if the debt is over 6 years old.
Tell field agents to leave. If a Credit Solutions field agent visits and you don’t want to engage, say: “Please leave my property. I’ll contact you in writing.” They must leave.
If you’re vulnerable, tell them. If you have mental health problems, serious illness, disability, or are in crisis, declare this. Credit Solutions must follow FCA “Consumer Duty” rules and adjust their approach.
How to complain about Credit Solutions#
1. Complain to Credit Solutions directly
Write to:
Credit Solutions Ltd
Capella Court
Brighton Road
Purley
Surrey
CR8 2PGInclude your reference number, dates of the issue, what happened, and what you want.
Credit Solutions has 8 weeks to respond.
2. Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
If Credit Solutions doesn’t respond or you’re not satisfied:
- Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
3. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
If Credit Solutions has breached FCA rules:
- Website: www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-firm
- Phone: 0800 111 6768
Credit Solutions contact details#
Registered office: Credit Solutions Ltd Capella Court Brighton Road Purley Surrey CR8 2PG
Company number: 03232898 FCA reference: 681086
Regulatory status:
- FCA Authorised since 1 April 2014
- CSA (Credit Services Association) Member
- ICO Registered
If you’re struggling with debt and want to find out what options are available, use our free IVA calculator to see if you qualify and how much debt you could write off. It takes 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Can Credit Solutions send bailiffs to my home?#
No. Credit Solutions are debt collectors, not bailiffs. Their field agents can visit your home and knock on your door, but they have no legal power to enter your property, take your belongings, or clamp your vehicle.
Is Credit Solutions legitimate?#
Yes. Credit Solutions Ltd (Company 03232898) is fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference 681086) and has operated since 1996. They’re based in Purley, Surrey.
Why is Credit Solutions visiting my home?#
Credit Solutions operates a field service as part of their collection model. Field agents visit homes when phone calls and letters have failed. But they have no legal enforcement powers—you don’t have to let them in.
Will Credit Solutions take me to court?#
Yes, they can. If you don’t pay or arrange a plan, Credit Solutions will instruct solicitors to issue a County Court claim. If you ignore the claim, you’ll get a CCJ which damages your credit file for 6 years.
Can I stop Credit Solutions with an IVA?#
Yes. An IVA stops all debt collection activity, including Credit Solutions’ doorstep visits. Once approved, they must cease contact and accept the monthly payments your Insolvency Practitioner distributes. Check if you qualify
Will Credit Solutions accept a settlement?#
Yes. Credit Solutions typically accepts full and final settlements of 40-70% of the debt value. They prefer lump sum settlements because cash today is worth more than years of small payments. Always get agreements in writing before paying.
If you’re dealing with Credit Solutions and have £6,000+ in debt across multiple creditors, an IVA could stop them immediately and write off a significant portion of your debt.