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creditor harassment UK guide to your rights

Creditor Harassment: Know Your Rights and How to Stop It

Updated for 2026

If you owe money and a creditor keeps calling at all hours, sending threatening letters, or turning up at your door, you might be experiencing creditor harassment. You are not powerless in this situation. The law in England and Wales gives you clear protections, and understanding your rights is the first step towards making the calls and letters stop. This guide explains what counts as harassment, which laws protect you, and what practical steps you can take right now.

What Counts as Creditor Harassment?

There is a big difference between a creditor contacting you to recover a debt and a creditor deliberately causing you distress. Legitimate debt collection is allowed, but certain behaviours cross the line. You may be experiencing creditor harassment if a company or individual is doing any of the following:

  • Contacting you at unreasonable times, such as very early in the morning or late at night
  • Calling your workplace repeatedly, especially after you have asked them to stop
  • Using threatening or abusive language on the phone or in letters
  • Sending letters designed to look like court documents when they are not
  • Discussing your debt with neighbours, family members, or colleagues without your permission
  • Falsely claiming that non-payment will result in criminal prosecution
  • Pressuring you into paying more than you can afford or taking on additional borrowing to clear the debt

If any of these sound familiar, you have every right to challenge the behaviour. Debt collectors and creditors must follow strict rules, and breaking them can have serious consequences for the company involved.

The Laws That Protect You From Creditor Harassment

Administration of Justice Act 1970

Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970 makes it a criminal offence for a creditor to harass you when trying to recover a debt. This means they cannot make demands for payment that are designed to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation because of how often they contact you, how publicly they do it, or the manner they use. It is also illegal for a creditor to pretend to be a court official, a bailiff, or any other authority figure. Sending documents that look like they have come from a court is another offence under this act.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 goes further. It makes it a criminal offence for anyone to pursue a course of conduct that they know, or ought to know, amounts to harassment. This covers repeated phone calls, aggressive letters, visits to your home, and contact through third parties. If a creditor’s behaviour would cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, then it likely qualifies under this act. You can also apply for a civil injunction under this law, which orders the creditor to stop.

FCA Consumer Credit Sourcebook (CONC)

The Financial Conduct Authority regulates most consumer credit firms in the UK. Its Consumer Credit Sourcebook (CONC 7.3) sets out detailed rules about how debt collectors must treat you. They must not contact you at unreasonable times or in unreasonable ways. They must not pressure you into paying debts with money you need for essentials such as rent, food, or council tax. They must treat you with fairness and respect, particularly if you are vulnerable. Firms that breach CONC rules can face enforcement action, fines, and loss of their FCA authorisation.

How to Stop Creditor Harassment: Step by Step

Taking action against creditor harassment does not require a solicitor. Here is what you can do yourself, starting today.

1. Keep a Record of Everything

Write down the date, time, and content of every phone call, visit, or letter. Save text messages and emails. If a creditor calls you, note what was said and whether they were threatening or aggressive. This evidence is essential if you need to make a formal complaint or take legal action later.

2. Write a Formal Complaint

Send a written complaint to the creditor or debt collection agency. State clearly that you believe their behaviour amounts to harassment. Reference the specific laws or guidelines they are breaking. Ask them to contact you only in writing going forward. Send this by recorded delivery so you have proof it was received.

3. Report to the Financial Ombudsman Service

If the creditor is regulated by the FCA and does not resolve your complaint within eight weeks, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The ombudsman can order the firm to pay compensation and change its practices.

4. Contact the Police

If a creditor’s behaviour is seriously threatening or you feel unsafe, contact the police. Harassment is a criminal offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The police can issue a harassment warning or pursue a prosecution.

5. Get Free Debt Advice

Organisations like StepChange and MoneyHelper offer free, confidential debt advice. They can help you set up affordable repayment plans, write to creditors on your behalf, and guide you through formal debt solutions if needed. You can also read our guide to free debt advice in the UK for more options.

What Creditors Are Not Allowed to Do

Beyond the general rules above, there are specific practices that are considered unfair under FCA guidelines and UK law. A creditor must not:

  • Add excessive charges or fees to your account without clear justification
  • Refuse to deal with a debt adviser acting on your behalf
  • Ignore a reasonable repayment offer without giving a proper reason
  • Threaten to send bailiffs or enforcement agents when they have no legal right to do so
  • Continue to chase you for a debt that is subject to a court order or formal arrangement
  • Share your personal financial information with people who have no involvement in the debt

If a creditor does any of these things, their behaviour could be grounds for a complaint, a claim for compensation, or even criminal proceedings.

Creditor Harassment and Council Tax Debt

Council tax debt is treated differently from most other debts because local authorities have their own enforcement powers. If you fall behind on council tax, the council can apply to a magistrates’ court for a liability order and then instruct enforcement agents to collect the debt. However, even in council tax cases, there are rules about how you can be treated.

Enforcement agents collecting council tax arrears must follow the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. They must give you proper notice before visiting. They cannot force entry into your home on a first visit. They must not behave in a threatening or aggressive way. If they do, you can complain to the council, the enforcement company, or the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

If you are struggling with council tax arrears, contact your council as early as possible. Many councils offer hardship funds, payment plans, or council tax support reductions that could lower your bill. Our guide on council tax support explains the options available to you.

When to Seek Legal Help

Most creditor harassment can be resolved through complaints and free advice services. But in serious cases, you may need legal support. Consider seeking legal help if:

  • A creditor continues to harass you after receiving a written complaint
  • You are being threatened with violence or intimidation
  • A creditor is pursuing you for a debt you do not owe
  • You want to apply for a court injunction to stop the contact

Many solicitors offer a free initial consultation for harassment cases. You may also qualify for legal aid depending on your income and circumstances. Citizens Advice can point you towards local legal help.

Need Help With Creditor Harassment or Debt?

If creditors are making your life difficult, you do not have to deal with it alone. Contact Council Tax Advisors for free, confidential guidance on your rights and options. We can help you take control of the situation and find a way forward.

Get Free Advice