If you have a debt with a company, that company may sell your debt to a debt purchaser. This means that you now owe the debt purchaser, not the original company.
Many creditors specialise in lending money and collecting payments, rather than helping customers who fall into debt and may need extra support.
It is often the case that creditors sell the debt to debt purchasers, or hand customers’ debt over to debt collectors, who specialise in trying to help the customer pay back the debt.
For example, at Ophelos we specialise in helping customers who may need more options and extra support to get back on track.
Creditors may sell your debt because:
Once a debt purchaser buys your debt, you owe the full debt to the debt purchaser, not the original creditor. It may be the case that we contact you about a debt you owe to a debt purchaser.
This happens when the debt purchaser asks us to help you pay the money back. In this case, every penny you pay us is a penny off your debt with the debt purchaser.
Yes. Your rights are the same as if you were dealing with the original creditor. You can find out more about disputes and complaints here.
Your original creditor should let you know when they sell your debt. You will also receive a communication from the debt purchaser to let know who they are and tell you that you now owe them.
If you receive a communication from the debt purchaser or Ophelos on their behalf, you should engage with the debt.
Be sure to let them know if you are struggling for any reason, and don’t let anybody pressure you into making payments you cannot afford.
Once you feel ready to start paying down the debt, you can log in with your reference code found in any communication we have sent you.
