If you have received a letter, text, email, or call from Intrum UK, the first thing to know is that Intrum are debt collectors, not bailiffs. They can ask you to pay, ask you to discuss the account, and may report or escalate an unpaid debt, but they cannot force entry into your home or take your belongings.
Companies House lists Intrum UK Limited as an active company with company number 03752940. The same Companies House record shows the company was previously called 1st Credit Limited before changing name to Intrum UK Limited in 2018.
This guide was last checked on 26 April 2026 against Companies House, Intrum’s UK website, Intrum’s privacy policy, FCA debt collection rules, and GOV.UK court judgment guidance.
Quick answer#
- Intrum UK Limited is a real company. Check company number 03752940 against your letter.
- Intrum are not bailiffs. They cannot force entry, seize goods, or clamp a vehicle.
- Intrum may own the debt or collect for another business. Ask which applies before paying.
- Do not ignore court papers. A County Court Judgment can affect your credit file for 6 years.
- An IVA may stop Intrum contact where the Intrum account is included in an approved arrangement.
Who are Intrum UK?#
Intrum UK Limited is a debt purchase and collection company. Intrum’s UK website says it buys unpaid loan, credit card, store card and other debts from banks, credit card companies, retailers, utilities and telecom providers. It also says it collects debts on behalf of other lenders and service providers.
The company may therefore contact you in two different ways:
- As the debt owner if Intrum has bought the account.
- As a collection agent if Intrum is acting for the original creditor or another debt owner.
That distinction matters. If Intrum owns the debt, they decide how to collect it. If they are acting as an agent, the original creditor or owner may still control key decisions.
Is Intrum UK legitimate?#
Yes, Intrum UK Limited is a legitimate company. Companies House records show:
| Check | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registered company name | Intrum UK Limited |
| Company number | 03752940 |
| Company status | Active |
| Registered office | The Omnibus Building, Lesbourne Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7JP |
| Incorporated | 15 April 1999 |
| Previous name | 1st Credit Limited |
Intrum’s own privacy policy also says Intrum UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 718918.
Legitimate does not automatically mean the debt is correct. You can still ask Intrum to prove the debt, correct the balance, explain the original creditor, or pause contact while a genuine dispute is checked.
Why is Intrum contacting me?#
Intrum may contact you because an account has fallen behind and has either been sold to Intrum or placed with Intrum for collection.
Common Intrum account types can include:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Store cards
- Retail credit
- Utility arrears
- Telecoms accounts
- Other unsecured consumer debts
If you do not recognise the account, do not pay immediately. Ask Intrum to confirm:
- The original creditor
- The original account number or reference
- The date the account was opened
- The date and amount of the last payment
- Whether Intrum owns the debt or is collecting for someone else
- A full balance breakdown, including any charges or interest
Keep the request in writing. If the debt is disputed, say clearly that you dispute the account and want evidence before any further collection action.
Are Intrum UK bailiffs?#
No. Intrum UK are debt collectors, not bailiffs.
Intrum can:
- Send letters, emails, texts, or calls
- Ask you to discuss the account
- Ask you to make a payment arrangement
- Offer online account management
- Report account information to credit reference agencies where applicable
- Consider court action if the account remains unresolved
Intrum cannot:
- Force entry into your home
- Take your belongings
- Clamp your vehicle
- Pretend to be enforcement agents
- Tell neighbours, family, or your employer about the debt
- Pressure you into payments you cannot afford
If someone visits and says they are from Intrum, you can speak through the door, ask for ID, and ask them to leave. A doorstep debt collector does not have bailiff powers.
Can Intrum take me to court?#
Intrum or the creditor may be able to take court action if the debt is unpaid and enforceable. Before a County Court claim for most consumer credit debts, you should usually receive a formal Letter of Claim.
Do not ignore:
- A Letter of Claim
- A County Court claim form
- A default judgment
- A judgment payment order
- Any letter that says enforcement may follow
If a County Court Judgment is made and is not paid as ordered, enforcement may become possible later. That is the stage where enforcement agents could become relevant, but Intrum itself is still not a bailiff company.
What if the Intrum debt is old?#
Some Intrum accounts may relate to old credit cards, loans, or store cards. If you think the debt is old, check whether it may be statute barred before making a payment or admitting liability.
In England and Wales, many unsecured debts become harder to enforce through court if there has been no payment or written acknowledgement for 6 years. This is not automatic in every case, and different rules can apply to some debts or where a court judgment already exists.
Before you pay an old Intrum account, ask:
- When was the last payment made?
- When did you last write acknowledging the debt?
- Has a County Court Judgment already been made?
- Has the debt been sold more than once?
- Can Intrum provide the original agreement or assignment evidence?
If you are unsure, get advice before restarting payments.
Can an IVA stop Intrum?#
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement can stop direct collection contact for included qualifying debts once the IVA is approved.
An IVA may be worth checking if:
- You have several unsecured debts
- You cannot keep up with normal payments
- Intrum is one of multiple collectors contacting you
- You have regular income and can afford a realistic monthly contribution
- You want one formal arrangement rather than separate negotiations
An IVA is not right for everyone. It affects your credit file, usually lasts 5-6 years, and must be approved by creditors. If the Intrum account is your only debt, an IVA is unlikely to be proportionate.
How to complain about Intrum#
Complain to Intrum first if you believe they have the wrong person, the wrong balance, unaffordable payment pressure, or poor conduct.
Your complaint should include:
- Your Intrum reference
- The original creditor, if known
- What you believe is wrong
- Copies of letters, screenshots, or call notes
- What you want Intrum to do next
Intrum’s UK contact page lists complaint routes, including email and postal options. If the complaint is not resolved, you may be able to escalate eligible complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
What to do now#
- Check that the letter is genuinely from Intrum using official contact details.
- Ask whether Intrum owns the debt or is collecting for someone else.
- Request written proof if you do not recognise the account.
- Do not agree to payments that leave priority bills unpaid.
- Compare wider debt options if Intrum is one of several creditors.
If several collectors are contacting you, start with the full debt picture rather than dealing with Intrum in isolation.