When you’re in debt, the last thing you want to do is have to deal with a debt collection firm. Among the many that operate in the UK is Allied International Credit (UK) Limited (often known simply as Allied International), and if you’re reading this page you may already have heard from them.
If you need to find out more about Allied International debt collectors, or if they’re seeking to recover an unpaid debt from you, keep reading as we take a look at the company and its practices.
Who are Allied International Credit debt collectors?
Allied International Credit (UK) Ltd is part of the Bill Gosling Outsourcing Group. Founded in 1955 in Toronto, Canada, the firm has a global presence that operates under the AIC brand in the UK.
They work with various companies and organisations around the world to deal with accounts receivables and, ultimately, to collect unpaid debts.
Why am I being contacted by Allied International?
If you’ve received communications from Allied International debt collectors, it’s likely that you are responsible for an outstanding debt. It may be that this was with a different company, as Allied International are instructed by other firms to assist with debt collection.
Are they a legitimate company?
Allied International is a legitimate company (operating under UK Company Number 00984439). They act on behalf of other businesses to collect outstanding debts and are a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA).
Are Allied International Debt Collectors regulated by the FCA?
Allied International Credit (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They can be found on the FCA’s register at the following link, under reference number 707598.
What debts do Allied International collect?
Allied International collect a wide variety of debts for companies that include banks and utilities providers.
Who does Allied collect for?
Allied International collects outstanding debts for a range of companies and organisations and have been known to deal with debts for businesses such as Lloyds, HSBC, and NatWest.
How to deal with Allied International Debt Collectors?
The best course of action for dealing with Allied International Credit will depend on your own unique set of circumstances – such as whether you can afford to pay what you owe, or if you dispute the fact that you owe the debt at all.
Generally speaking, there are several courses of action that you could take. These include: settling your debt with Allied International Debt Collectors in full, making a part payment to Allied International, agreeing to a payment plan with Allied International, seeking to write off your debt by using an insolvency solution or alternatively disputing the fact that you owe money to Allied International in the first instance.
How to check if you actually owe money?
Whether you dispute a debt or not, you may wish to establish that you actually owe the money that Allied International are trying to collect. When asked, they should be able to confirm your total debt figure and name the company that they are collecting the debt on behalf of.
Any information provided by Allied International can then be double-checked against your own personal records to make certain that all information is correct and that you owe the amount they are chasing.
Can Allied International take you to court?
Allied International Credit (UK) Limited could take you to court to make a claim for any money you owe. In many cases, any court action would involve the company that you actually owe money to seeking out a County Court Judgment against you. This is more likely to happen if you refuse to engage with them when they request payment of your outstanding debt, or where you simply ignore their communications.
It sometimes helps to remember that debt collectors are more likely to work with debtors that communicate clearly and who are keen to find a solution to their problems. When it comes to debt, ignoring the problem simply doesn’t cut it.
Will Allied come to my house?
If you do not respond to the attempts Allied International make to contact you, they could send a debt collector to your house. There are important differences between debt collectors and bailiffs, which we discuss later in this guide.
Do you have to let them in?
You do not have to let debt collectors from Allied International into your property, however you may invite them in out of choice. If you refuse to grant them entry to the property, they cannot force their way in.
Can Allied International send bailiffs?
Allied International cannot send court bailiffs, but they may send debt collectors.
These are not bailiffs, and they have far fewer powers in comparison. In most cases, Bailiffs will only be sent to your home to enforce a County Court Judgment (CCJ) where either you have not paid what you owe, or where you have failed to keep up with court ordered monthly instalments. That’s not to say that your unpaid debt will never escalate to the point where court bailiffs attend your address, but Allied International cannot send bailiffs of their own accord.
Do they buy debts?
Sources suggest that Allied International do not purchase debts from other companies, however this is a relatively common practice among debt collection agencies. Those businesses that do engage in this practice are known to buy debts from the original creditors before going on to collect the money owed by debtors in full.
Can I stop Allied International from contacting me?
You can’t stop Allied International from contacting you altogether unless you engage with a formal debt solution. Despite this, you are within your rights to express contact preferences to Allied International, for example having all communications in writing rather than receiving phone calls.
There are certain debt solutions such as a Debt Relief Order (DRO) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) that will prohibit your creditors from contacting you to chase for repayment of outstanding debts. These are serious solutions for serious problems, but if you really can’t pay Allied International then they may be of help to you.
How to write off my debt to them?
Allied International aren’t likely to just write your debt off, and in any case this would probably require the agreement of the organisation you owe money to. Despite this, they may consider any full and final settlement figures that are put to them even if they are less than the total figure owed. If a full and final settlement offer is accepted, debtors may wish to request written confirmation that no further action will be taken against them prior to making the payment.
Allied International are also known to set up payment plans with debtors who cannot afford to pay what they owe in one go. For more information about an Allied International payment plan, contact their team on 0141 457 7000 or by visiting their payment plan webpage.
Generally, it is only possible to write off debt via a formal insolvency solution.
How to contact Allied International
Effective communication is essential when you’re dealing with debt. For customer enquiries, use any of the details below to get in touch with Allied International.
Full Company Name: Allied International Credit (UK) Limited
Phone number: 0141 457 7000
Email address: [email protected]
Website: https://aiccorp.co.uk
Address:
Anderston House
389 Argyle Street
Glasgow G2 8LR
How to complain about Allied International debt collectors?
There are various ways to go about making a complaint about Allied International, and the method you choose will depend on the issues involved.
To complain directly to Allied International Credit Limited, you can call 0808 168 9550. You can also email a complaint to [email protected], or contact their complaints department via post at UK Complaints Team, Anderston House, 389 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8LR.
As Allied International is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA), complaining customers can request that the CSA act as a mediator for their complaint. They can be contacted via telephone (01912 17 0775) and more information is available on this course of action at: www.csa-uk.com
Finally, if you feel that your complaint has not been dealt with in a satisfactory or fair way, you may wish to refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Not all complaints fall within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, but those that do must be brought to their attention within six months of Allied International issuing their own response. The Financial Ombudsman Service can be contacted via telephone (0300 1239 123) or email ([email protected]), and more information is available on their website at: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
Bottom Line
Allied International, operating as part of the Bill Gosling Outsourcing Group, is a well-known international credit management and debt collection firm. They may contact you to seek repayment of an outstanding debt, and are instructed by many different companies across the world.
If you have been contacted by Allied International, you don’t need to panic. With the information contained in this guide, you should have a better understanding of the company and can make more informed decisions about your position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Allied International Credit (UK) Limited?
Allied International Credit (UK) Limited is the registered company name of Allied International debt collectors. The firm is registered with Companies House under company number: 00984439.
Does HMRC use Allied International Debt Collectors?
No – Allied International Credit Limited is not currently listed by HMRC as one of the debt collection agencies that they rely on. For a complete list of the debt collectors used by HMRC, visit their website.
Who owns Allied International Credit Limited?
Allied International (AIC) is owned and operated by Bill Gosling Outsourcing Holding Corporation – a corporation based in Canada and registered under reference number 440035-6.
Do Allied International accept credit card payments?
It does not appear that Allied International accept credit card payments. Their accepted payment methods currently include debit card, direct debit, and bank transfer.
Payments can be made either by calling Allied International on 0141 457 7000, or by visiting their online payment portal.
Can Allied International take my car?
Allied International’s debt collectors cannot immobilise your car or take it in full or part payment of a debt unless that debt is secured over the vehicle.
Can Allied International sell my home?
In theory Allied International could sell your home, though this isn’t likely. To do this, they would need to take you to court to seek a County Court Judgement against you, unless the money you owe relates to a debt secured against your property such as a mortgage. Even with a CCJ against you, Allied International would need to seek a charging order for your home to be sold.
How long can Allied International Debt Collectors legally chase a debt for?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, creditors have six years to chase the majority of unsecured debts – with the period starting from the date of your last payment of acknowledgement of the debt. Once this period has elapsed, Allied International will not be able to take legal action against you to enforce the debt.
This doesn’t mean that you can just wait for this time to elapse, however, as Allied International may continue to chase you for the outstanding figure and perhaps even seek a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you.
Can Allied International issue a warrant?
Allied International Credit cannot issue a warrant; however a court may do so if a CCJ has been granted against you.
Can I ignore Allied International Credit Limited?
You could choose to ignore Allied International’s debt collectors, but this could prompt them to escalate the matter. Their interest is in recovering what you owe, and they could send a debt collector to your home. These debt collectors do not have the same powers as bailiffs and cannot enter your property unless you choose to allow them in.
If these tactics don’t work, Allied International (or the company that you owe money to) could take the matter to court to seek a County Court Judgment (CCJ). If this is granted, you will be required to pay up and failing to do so could lead to a visit from the court bailiffs.
Can you ignore a CCJ letter from Allied International?
If Allied International decides to seek a CCJ against you, they will first issue a ‘letter of claim’ which will set out exactly what you owe and confirm that they intend to commence legal proceedings. In most cases, debtors will have 30 days to respond to a letter of claim and a reply form will often be sent with the letter.
Once legal action has started, debtors can expect to receive documentation directly from the Court. If you fail to act on official CCJ documentation received from the County Court, bailiffs may be instructed to visit your home.
Can Allied International recover debts during the coronavirus?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way we all live our lives, and many people are struggling to cope financially. Allied International are still collecting debts on behalf of their clients, but their website suggests that they can offer longer term payment plans, and might be willing to consider suspending interest charges.
Ultimately Allied International can still pursue unpaid debts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they seem to be prepared to consider individual circumstances and to work with debtors who are struggling to make ends meet.
What if I can’t afford to pay Allied International Credit?
If you’re struggling to cope with your financial situation, help is on hand. In the event that you’ve received a letter or another communication from Allied International, don’t feel that you have to pay up without taking time to consider your position. The organisations listed below can provide free and impartial advice that could help you to make sense of your situation:
Last Updated on September 1, 2023