STA International collects on behalf of many utility providers, HMRC, councils and catalogue retailers. If they are chasing you for payment, it is likely to be that one of these companies or organisations believes that you owe them money and have not responded to their requests for payment.
Why is STA International chasing me?
STA International collects on behalf of many utility providers, HMRC, councils and catalogue retailers. If they are chasing you for payment, it is likely to be that one of these companies or organisations believes that you owe them money and have not responded to their requests for payment.
Is STA International a legitimate debt collector?
Yes, STA International is authorised to collect a debt by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is a member of the Credit Services Association. STA International has passed CSA’s Collector Accreditation Initiative, which ensures that its operations are legal and fair.
Who does STA International collect for?
They collect unpaid taxes for HMRC and councils, plus numerous utility providers and retailers, including Virgin Media, EE, Npower and o2.
Should I ignore STA International’s letters or calls?
No, ignoring them will make the problem worse. If you think that you are being contacted by mistake, ask them to provide exact details of the debt amount and who the original creditor is, as sometimes they will give a different name to the brand that you actually owe money to.
Can I stop STA International from contacting me?
If you want to limit the opportunities STA International has to chase you about this debt, ask them to contact you via a single method. Letters are usually best as they ensure that you are not put on the spot during a phone conversation or pressured into agreeing to payments that you can’t afford.
Is my debt to STA International debt statute-barred?
If the debt is older than six years, it’s possible that it may be statute-barred. If, however, a County Court Judgement (CCJ) has been registered against you in relation to this debt, you may still have to pay. It will also help if you have made no previous payments or have otherwise acknowledged the debt, for instance by writing a letter recognising that you owe it.
I owe the debt and I can afford to pay STA International. Should I?
Yes, it is always best to settle debts if you can and you are sure that the debt is yours. You could either ask STA International to set up a payment or negotiate a lower amount for settling the amount in full. Our AI chatbot can help you with the best way forward depending on your circumstances.
I can’t afford to pay STA International. What now?
The first step might be to contact STA International and ask them for some breathing space. You could ask for a month in order to seek advice or investigate the debt further if you are unsure where it originates from. Our Letter Writing service can assist you in this.
Can I write off my STA International debts?
If you owe more than £5,000 and have multiple creditors or run your own business, it might be a good idea to look into an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) to consolidate the debts into one affordable payment.
Once you have set up an IVA, STA International will not be able to take action against you for the debt. However, you must keep up the agreed repayments or the IVA practitioner can cancel the agreement and even make you bankrupt.
If you stick to the IVA payments, the information is removed three months after completion.
What action can STA International take?
STA International is a debt collection agency, not an enforcement agency or bailiff. This means that they only have the same powers as the original creditor. They cannot force their way into your home or remove goods from your home.
The only action they are legally allowed to take in person is to knock on your door and ask you to pay. You do not have to make a payment on the spot if this happens, and they cannot force you to do so.
They will usually start contacting you via the post or by phone and will ask you either to settle the debt or set up a payment plan. You can limit the contact you receive from them by stating your preferred method of contact.
Could my STA International debts mean that I lose my home?
Since most of the debts STA International deals with are unsecured debts, this is very unlikely.
Your debt will not be secured against an asset, but in extreme circumstances, STA International could apply to the court for a Charging Order. This would secure the debt against your home, but they would also need to successfully apply for a CCJ against you to do this.
How do I make a complaint about STA International?
If you feel STA International has treated you unfairly, you can make a complaint to them via the following channels:
Phone: 0844 324 0607
Post: 3rd Floor Colman House, King Street, Maidstone
If you are not happy with STA International’s response to your
complaint, you can contact the FCA or CSA.
Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Phone: 0300 1239 123
Post: The Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London, E14 9SR
Email: complaints@csa-uk.com
Phone: 0191 2170 775
Post: Credit Services Association Ltd, 2 Esh Plaza, Sir Bobby Robson
Way, Great Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 9BA
DebtBuffer is here to assist you in achieving debt freedom. Explore our site for more information on how to manage personal debt and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the process. Get expert help in writing letters to create time and space to resolve debt issues. Our AI chatbot can assess your situation by asking questions and suggesting various solutions which may assist you to take back control of your life and money.
