Different letters, different rules, different consequences. Find yours below for a plain-English guide to how it works, what the stages mean, and where we come in.
Debt advisers sort debts into two groups. It isn't about who sends the most letters, it's about what's at stake if a payment is missed.
Debts where falling behind can have the most serious consequences, such as enforcement action, deductions from income or changes to a supply. Advisers usually look at these first.
Missed payments, reminders, summonses or liability orders.
Read the guide →Letters, visits or notices of enforcement that feel frightening.
Read the guide →Self-assessment, tax credit overpayments and HMRC letters.
Read the guide →Gas, electric and water bills that have run away from you.
Read the guide →Unsecured borrowing, where the immediate consequences are less severe. Interest, charges and collection letters still continue, so they are not debts to ignore.
Most people we speak to have debts in both groups. Not knowing where to start is completely normal.
