Arc Europe Limited are a UK-based debt collection agency, and if you’re reading this you may have already heard from them.
Whether you’ve received a letter and want to know how to proceed, or if just want to know more about how Arc operate, read this guide to learn all about the company and their debt collection methods.
Who are Arc Europe Limited?
Arc (Europe) Limited is a debt collection agency based in Walton On Thames, Surrey. Operating since 2001, the company works on behalf of major businesses to collect outstanding debts.
Why have Arc Europe debt collectors contacted me?
If Arc Europe have contacted you, it’s probably because you owe money to one of their clients. They deal in the collection of outstanding debts that are owed to other organisations, and so you may not recognise their name when they first get in touch.
Are Arc Europe legitimate?
Arc (Europe) Limited is a legitimate debt collection company that is registered in the UK under Company Number 04214145. They act on behalf of other companies to collect outstanding debts, working primarily for businesses in the financial services, health and leisure, and insurance sectors.
Arc Europe Limited is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA), which means that they must follow a strict code that governs how they treat debtors. To review the full code of practice, visit the CSA website.
Are they regulated by the FCA?
Arc Europe 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 716072.
Which companies use Arc to collect debts?
Arc Europe have been known to collect outstanding debts on behalf of numerous companies and organisations, including:
- LV Insurance
- LA Fitness
- David Lloyd
What actions can Arc Europe take to collect debt?
Arc’s debt collection process has probably already begun if you’ve received a letter from them. Their process involves many steps, but generally begins with the firm communicating exactly how much the debtor owes and indicating how a repayment can be made.
This initial communication will then be followed up by a letter and maybe even a phone call, explaining the situation and how it can be resolved. Arc Europe accept multiple payment methods, and they might direct you towards their online payment portal at this stage.
If you don’t make a payment, Arc could continue asking you to settle up what you owe. Eventually they might send debt collectors to your home, but these won’t be bailiffs and they won’t have any powers to enter your property or remove goods without your consent. Failing all else, Arc may choose to seek a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you. If this is granted, the court will order you to make a payment and failure to comply may result in court bailiffs attending your address.
How to check if you actually owe money?
Whether you dispute a debt or not, people often feel better when they are able to verify the information sent to them by a debt collection agency. If you have received a letter from Arc, they should be able to provide more information on request – including details of how much you owe and who to.
Once you have these details, you can cross check them against your own records to ensure that everything is in order.
How to deal with Arc Europe debt collectors?
The best approach to dealing with any debt collection company will be unique to your circumstances, and the same applies if Arc Europe Limited have been in touch to request a repayment.
In most cases, there are several courses of action that you could take. These include settling your debt with in full, making a part payment, agreeing to a payment plan, seeking to write off your debt by using an insolvency solution if you’re unable to pay or alternatively disputing the fact that you owe money to Arc Europe Ltd in the first instance.
Can Arc Europe Limited take you to court?
If you fail to engage with Arc Europe, it may be that they choose to take you to court. Debt collection companies will generally attempt to work reasonably with debtors that communicate with them whilst showing willingness to deal with the situation. In situations where a debtor ignores them, or persistently fails to address the issue of the debt, their client (the creditor) might instruct them to escalate the matter by seeking a County Court Judgment (CCJ) that formally confirms out what is owed.
Can Arc send debt collectors to my address?
Arc Europe could send debt collectors to your property, but these will just be field agents who cannot force their way in or even remove goods. Bailiffs will only attend your home at the direction of a court, and debt collectors from Arc Europe can only really ask for you to settle what you owe or agree to a repayment plan.
Do you have to let them into my house?
No, the debt collectors employed by Arc Europe are not bailiffs and they do not have any powers to enter your property unless you choose to invite them in. You are not legally required to grant them entry to your home – although you can choose to do so.
Can Arc Europe Limited send bailiffs?
Arc Europe Limited can’t send bailiffs to your property, but they can send debt collectors. These are not court officials, and they don’t have the power to enter your property or to remove goods.
Whilst Arc can’t send bailiffs, a court could do so if Arc have successful sought out a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you. This is more likely to happen if you refuse to engage with your creditors, and bailiffs could be sent to your address if you don’t abide by any orders handed down by a court.
Do they buy debts?
It has been reported that Arc Europe buy debts from other companies. This is a relatively common practice among debt collection companies, and usually sees them purchase outstanding debt accounts from the original creditors at reduced rates. The debt collection agency may then attempt to collect the full amount owed from the debtor.
Can I stop Arc from contacting me?
Without using a formal debt solution, it is unlikely that you will be able to prevent Arc Europe Limited from contacting you altogether. For more information on how a debt solution could help your situation, it could help to read more about Debt Relief Orders and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs).
Arc Europe Limited will be able to contact you unless a solution such as those described above is in place, but you can ask them to respect your contact preferences – for instance, if you would prefer for all contact to be put in writing rather than dealing with the issue via telephone.
Can I write off my debt with Arc Europe Limited?
Arc Europe and their clients are unlikely to agree to write your debt off unless there are extreme circumstances in play.
Despite this, Arc may be willing to accept a full and final settlement offer even if it doesn’t cover the full value of your debt. If a settlement offer is accepted, you may find it helpful to request written confirmation that your debt has been settled to avoid any disputes in the future.
According to their website, Arc Europe Limited are generally supportive of repayment plans – which could help you to repay what you owe over a longer period of time and in more affordable chunks.
Generally, it is only possible to write off debt via a formal insolvency solution.
How to contact Arc Europe Limited
Good communication is essential when you’re trying to deal with debt. To contact Arc Europe Limited, use the details set out below.
Full Company Name: Arc (Europe) Limited
Phone number: 01932 251000
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.arceuropeltd.co.uk
Address
Kent House
5 Churchfield Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2TU
How can I complain?
If things go wrong, there are several ways to make a complaint about Arc Europe Limited.
As a first port of call, you can complain directly to Arc Europe Limited, by calling 01932 251000 or emailing [email protected]. You can also write to them by addressing your complaint to:
ARC (Europe) Ltd.
Kent House
Churchfield Road
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2TU
They are 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: https://www.csa-uk.com.
Finally, if you feel that your complaint has not been deal 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 Arc Europe 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
Arc Europe Limited are a well-established debt recovery firm that collects outstanding debts on behalf of other major companies. There’s no need to panic if they get in touch, and knowing where you stand could help you to move forward.
If you feel that your circumstances make it impossible to repay Arc Europe, our guides to debt solutions could help you to get a better understanding of what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arc Europe Limited?
Arc (Europe) Ltd is the registered company name of the debt collection agency also known as Arc Europe. The firm is registered with Companies House under company number: 04214145.
Does HMRC use Arc Europe Limited to collect debts?
No – Arc Europe Limited is not currently listed as one of the debt collection agencies used by HMRC. HMRC uses a number of private debt collection agencies, and a complete list can be found on their website.
Who owns Arc Limited?
Arc (Europe) Limited is a private limited company registered with Companies House under company number 04214145. The firm is owned and controlled by its shareholders.
Are Arc Europe Limited financially regulated?
Yes, Arc (Europe) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with firm reference number 716072.
Do Arc Europe Limited accept credit card payments?
Arc Europe Limited offer various ways for debtors to pay, and accept payments online through their payment portal. Payments can also be made via their 24 hour payment hotline by calling 01332 647 693, or by getting in touch with their Customer Support team on 01932 251 000.
They accept payments via card, direct debit, those made in person at a branch of Barclays Bank, by standing order, cheque, and postal order.
It’s worth knowing that paying off debts with a credit card may see you incur interest and charges from your card provider, making the debt more expensive altogether.
Do Arc Europe Limited agree to payment plans?
Arc are keen to make clear that they are willing to enter into payment plans under the right circumstances. The ‘How to Pay?’ section of their website suggests that debtors “can set up an affordable payment plan” by visiting their online portal. Enquiries regarding payment plans can also be made by calling Arc’s Customer Support Team on 01932 251 000.
Can Arc Europe take my car?
Unless the debt you owe to Arc’s clients is secured over your vehicle, the firm cannot immobilise it, or take it in full or part payment.
Can Arc sell my home?
Except in cases where a debt is secure against your property (such as a mortgage), it’s unlikely that Arc Europe would seek to sell your home.
It is possible for a debt collection agency to sell your home, but they would first need to seek a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you. Even then, a creditor would need to apply to the courts for a charging order if they wanted to go ahead and sell your property.
How long can Arc Europe Limited legally chase a debt for?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, creditors have six years to chase the majority of unsecured debts. This period begins from the date of your last payment, or the last date on which you acknowledged that the debt exists. Once this period has elapsed, Arc Europe Limited will not be able to take legal action against you to enforce the debt.
You can’t just wait for this time to run out, though, as Arc Europe Limited debt collectors are likely to chase you for the outstanding figure and could even apply to the courts for a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you if you refuse to pay.
It’s important for debtors to recognise that simply refusing to acknowledge the existence of a debt probably won’t make it go away – and you can’t rely on the Limitation Act 1980 to get you out of trouble with debt.
Can Arc Europe Limited issue a warrant?
Arc Europe Limitedcan’t issue a warrant, but a court could do so if a CCJ has already been granted against you.
Can I ignore Arc Europe Limited?
Ignoring Arc Europe Limited won’t make your debts disappear, and doing so could in fact lead to more serious consequences. If you fail to pay what you owe, they could send debt collectors to your home or even take your case to court – where a County Court Judgment (CCJ) could be made against you.
If this happens, the court will have formally recognised what you owe, and could even send bailiffs to your home if you do not settle up.
Can I just ignore a CCJ letter from Arc Europe Limited?
If things escalate to the point that Arc seek a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against you, they will still need to follow a formal process. This includes sending a ‘letter of claim’ that sets out exactly what you owe and to inform you of the pending legal proceedings. You will typically have 30 days to respond to a letter of claim, and a reply form will usually accompany the letter.
Once legal action has commenced, debtors can expect to receive communications 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 Arc Europe Limited 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. Debt collectors and firms are still operating, however Arc Europe’s website contains a message suggesting that they will work with debtors to support them during these difficult times.
Ultimately Arc can still pursue unpaid debts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they may be more willing to consider individual circumstances and to work with debtors who are struggling to make ends meet.
What if I can’t afford to pay Arc Europe Limited?
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 form of communication from Arc Europe Limited, 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