STA International is a debt collection agency that operates doorstep collection services alongside traditional phone and letter contact. They’re known for sending “field agents” to visit your home, which can feel intimidating. But here’s what matters: STA International 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 STA International immediately and write off the remaining debt after 5-6 years.
Quick answers#
Can STA International send bailiffs to my home? No. STA International 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 STA International legitimate? Yes. STA International Limited (Company 02893487) is FCA-authorised (Reference 677302) and has operated since 1994. They’re based in Maidstone, Kent and specialize in doorstep debt collection.
Can an IVA stop STA International? Yes. All debts STA International collects are unsecured, which means they can be included in an IVA. Once approved, they must stop all contact including doorstep visits.
Who are STA International?#
STA International Limited (Company 02893487) was founded in 1994 and specializes in face-to-face debt collection. Unlike many collection agencies that rely purely on phone calls and letters, STA International operates a network of field agents who visit debtors’ homes.
Company details:
- Registered office: 3rd Floor Colman House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1DN
- Company number: 02893487
- FCA reference: 677302 (authorised since 1 April 2014)
- VAT number: 646003171
STA International is fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA). They collect debts on behalf of utility companies, telecoms providers, and local authorities.
Why is STA International contacting me?#
STA International operates as a debt collection agency, collecting debts on behalf of other companies. When your gas supplier, mobile phone provider, or council can’t recover a debt directly, they hire STA International to collect it.
This is why you might not recognise STA International’s name:
You fell behind on your gas bill with British Gas. British Gas tried to contact you for 6 months. British Gas then hired STA International to collect the debt. An STA International letter (or field agent) arrives, and you think “I don’t owe money to STA International”—but you do owe money to British Gas, and STA International is acting as their agent.
Who instructs STA International:
- Utility companies (gas, electricity, water)
- Telecoms providers (mobile phones, broadband)
- Local councils (council tax arrears)
- Parking enforcement agencies
- Housing associations
Check the original debt:
Every STA International 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 STA International send bailiffs to my home?#
No. STA International are debt collectors, not bailiffs.
This is the most important thing to understand, especially because STA International operates a doorstep collection service. Their field agents can (and do) visit your home, but they are not bailiffs and have no legal powers.
What STA International 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 STA International 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
STA International’s field service is designed to make face-to-face contact when phone calls and letters have failed. But there is no legal enforcement power behind these visits.
If an STA International 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 an STA International badge and ID card.
- Don’t sign anything unless you’ve had time to think and get advice.
- Don’t feel intimidated. They’re just collectors in branded clothing—they can’t take anything.
- If they’re aggressive or won’t leave, call the police. Aggressive behaviour breaches FCA rules.
- If they speak to your neighbors, complain immediately. Discussing your debt with third parties breaches FCA rules.
Bottom line: An STA International field agent at your door is not the same as a bailiff. You’re not at risk of goods being seized. Don’t panic.
Can STA International take me to court?#
Yes—and this is where their real power lies.
While STA International field agents can’t seize goods, the company can take legal action if the debt remains unpaid. This is more serious than doorstep visits.
The legal escalation process:
1. Pre-Action Protocol (30-day warning)
Before STA International can issue a court claim, they must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. This requires them to send a formal “Letter of Claim” giving you 30 days to respond.
2. County Court claim
If you don’t respond or arrange payment, STA International 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 STA International to enforce through bailiffs
4. Enforcement after a CCJ
Once STA International has a CCJ, they can apply for:
- Attachment of Earnings Order: Your employer deducts money from your wages
- Charging Order: STA International 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. Even if you can’t afford to pay in full, you can:
- Admit the claim and offer affordable monthly payments
- Defend the claim if you dispute the debt
- Apply for the claim to be struck out if STA International didn’t follow the Pre-Action Protocol
Is the debt really yours?#
Before you pay STA International 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 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Write to STA International:
STA International Limited
3rd Floor Colman House
King Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1DNSay:
“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, including all interest and charges added. I don’t acknowledge this debt until I receive proof.”
STA International 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. STA International 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, and the debt is no longer statute-barred.
Will STA International accept a settlement?#
Yes—STA International typically accepts full and final settlements of 40-70% of the debt value.
Like most debt collectors, STA International would rather receive a lump sum settlement than wait years for monthly payments or an IVA dividend.
Why do they accept discounts?
STA International operates on commission (typically 10-25% of recovered amounts). If they recover 50% of £1,000, the creditor gets £500 and STA International gets £50-£125. A guaranteed £50 today is better than chasing £100 over 12 months with multiple doorstep visits.
How to negotiate a settlement:
- Don’t offer first. Let STA International 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 STA International with an IVA#
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between you and all your creditors (including STA International) 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 STA International:
Once your IVA is approved by the court and accepted by 75% of your creditors (by debt value), all creditors—including STA International—must:
- Stop contacting you
- Stop all doorstep visits
- Stop legal action
- Freeze interest and charges
- Accept the monthly payment your Insolvency Practitioner distributes
STA International cannot refuse to comply with an approved IVA. It’s a legal order.
What debts can be included?
All of the debts STA International collects are unsecured, which means they’re includable in an IVA:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Mobile phone contracts
- Utility arrears
- Council tax 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 STA International calls and visits#
STA International operates phone collections alongside their field service. Calls typically happen during business hours (8am-9pm weekdays).
You have rights:
Request written communication only. You can tell STA International (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 an STA International 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 they refuse, call the police.
If you’re vulnerable, tell them. If you have mental health problems, serious illness, disability, or are in crisis, declare this. STA International must follow FCA “Consumer Duty” rules and adjust their approach. Get evidence (doctor’s letter, PIP award) and send it by email and post.
What if they’re calling outside permitted hours?
Debt collectors can only call between 8am and 9pm. If STA International calls you at 7am or 10pm, this breaches FCA rules. Complain immediately.
What if they’re aggressive or threatening?
FCA-authorised firms like STA International are prohibited from:
- Threatening imprisonment (you can’t go to prison for civil debt)
- Claiming to be bailiffs or having bailiff powers
- Visiting at unreasonable times (before 8am, after 9pm)
- Discussing your debt with neighbors or family members
- Refusing to leave when asked
- Pressuring you to sell your home or borrow from family
- Ignoring evidence of vulnerability
If STA International breaks these rules, complain to the FCA (see below).
How to complain about STA International#
If STA International has acted inappropriately, follow this process:
1. Complain to STA International directly
Write to:
STA International Limited
3rd Floor Colman House
King Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1DNInclude:
- Your account reference number
- Dates of the issue
- What happened (especially if it involves doorstep visits)
- What you want (apology, stop visits, fees removed, etc.)
STA International has 8 weeks to respond.
2. Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
If STA International doesn’t respond or you’re not satisfied, escalate to the FOS:
- Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
The FOS is free and independent. They can order STA International to:
- Apologise
- Remove incorrect information from your credit file
- Pay compensation (typically £100-£300 for distress in debt cases)
3. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
If STA International has breached FCA rules (aggressive doorstep visits, discussing your debt with neighbors, calling at prohibited times), report them:
- Website: www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-firm
- Phone: 0800 111 6768
The FCA won’t resolve your individual complaint, but they investigate firms and can impose fines or suspend authorisation if they find systemic problems.
STA International contact details#
Registered office: STA International Limited 3rd Floor Colman House King Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1DN
Company number: 02893487 FCA reference: 677302 VAT number: 646003171
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 STA International send bailiffs to my home?#
No. STA International 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. They’re collectors, not enforcement agents.
Is STA International legitimate?#
Yes. STA International Limited (Company 02893487) is fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference 677302) and has operated since 1994. They’re based in Maidstone, Kent and specialize in doorstep debt collection.
Why is STA International visiting my home?#
STA International 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 or speak to them.
Will STA International take me to court?#
Yes, they can. If you don’t pay or arrange a plan, STA International 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 and allows enforcement through actual bailiffs.
Can I stop STA International with an IVA?#
Yes. An IVA stops all debt collection activity, including STA International’s doorstep visits. Once approved, they must cease contact and accept the monthly payments your Insolvency Practitioner distributes. After 5-6 years, remaining debt is written off. Check if you qualify
Will STA International accept a settlement?#
Yes. STA International 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 and multiple doorstep visits. Always negotiate and get agreements in writing before paying.
If you’re dealing with STA International and have £6,000+ in debt across multiple creditors, an IVA could stop them immediately and write off a significant portion of your debt. It takes 60 seconds to check if you qualify.