Old Fashioned Debt Recovery was recently promoted in an advert we came across from a debt recovery company offering what they described as a more direct, face-to-face approach to collecting unpaid debts. Their wording was clear: “We don’t waste time sending letters or emails. Our operatives will visit your debtor for a face-to-face confrontation.” The statement immediately caught my attention and brought back memories from over 30 years ago when I first started in the debt recovery industry.
Old Fashioned Debt Recovery and Personal Visits
In the early days, we were introduced to individuals who specialised in personal visits to debtors. We offered this as a face-to-face collection option within our debt recovery services.
They believed their physical presence achieved results on what they described as a “subliminal” level. Visits were recorded for protection.
Within a short period of time, we were contacted by a senior Police Officer who explained he was making enquiries into allegations of demanding money with menaces. As those individuals were acting on our behalf, we were included in those enquiries.
A recording of the visit was made available to the Police and demonstrated that the complaint was unfounded.
However, that experience was enough for us to make a clear decision — we would no longer include personal face-to-face visits as part of our Old Fashioned Debt Recovery offering.
The Legal Position: Debt Collector Power of Entry
The legal position in UK debt recovery is straightforward.
A debt collector is a private individual with no statutory powers. They stand in the same legal position as any other civilian. They have no right of entry and no authority to compel payment.
Unless acting under a court warrant — which would make them a certificated enforcement agent rather than a standard debt collector — they cannot force entry, compel discussion or insist on remaining on premises.
If entry is gained through an open warehouse door, garage entrance or reception area, they can be asked to leave. If they refuse, the Police may be called, and it would then be for attending officers to determine whether any offence has been or may be committed.
For reference, enforcement powers are governed through court process under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and enforced by authorised agents acting under warrant.
In today’s environment — where CCTV, doorbell cameras and digital recordings are commonplace — Old Fashioned Debt Recovery involving physical visits carries additional practical considerations.
When a Debtor Refuses Contact
If a debtor informs a creditor that they do not want personal visits and do not wish to discuss the matter by telephone, the options become limited to formal written communication and legal process.
Structured escalation under the Pre-Action Protocol and the Civil Procedure Rules remains the lawful framework for commercial debt recovery in England & Wales.
Modern Commercial Debt Recovery in Practice
While Old Fashioned Debt Recovery may refer to face-to-face visits, modern commercial debt recovery typically relies on:
- Proper credit control procedures
- Letters Before Action
- Court proceedings
- Judgment enforcement
For our own part, based on experience, we made a decision many years ago that personal visit collections are not a service we intend to reintroduce.
That decision is not a comparison of techniques. It is simply a reflection of our own experience and risk assessment.
