Creditors are still contacting you - individual voluntary arrangements
This page tells you what to do if your creditors or debt collectors are still contacting you about your debts covered by an IVA.
An IVA is a formal and legally-binding agreement between you and your creditors to pay back your debts over a period of time.
Creditors included in the IVA
All the creditors that voted at the creditor's meeting when the IVA was set up are legally bound by it. That means they have to stick to the terms and conditions of the IVA.
They are not allowed to:
- chase you for debts covered by the IVA
- contact you directly about the IVA or the debts included in it
- add interest or charges to the debts included in the IVA.
Your creditors should always contact your insolvency practitioner (IP) if they have any queries about anything. This applies whether you are being chased by a debt collector on behalf of the creditor or the creditor directly.
Tell your insolvency practitioner straight away about any phone calls or letters from creditors or debt collectors included in the IVA. Ask your insolvency practitioner to speak to the creditor on your behalf. If a creditor phones you, politely ask them to discuss the matter with your insolvency practitioner and give them the contact details.
Brexit - if the UK leaves the EU with no deal
Any debts you owe people or companies in the EU might not be covered by an IVA.
Your creditors could keep asking you for money, for example by calling you and sending you letters.
If you live or work in the EU, they could take you to court in the EU.
If you live in the UK but have a home in the EU with a mortgage from an EU lender, the lender could take you to court in the EU.
Get legal advice if you have creditors in the EU. Find free or affordable legal help.
Creditors or debts not included in the IVA
If you have debts with creditors that are not included in the IVA, they can still contact you and chase you for that debt.
If you have a number of debts with the same creditor and one of these debts is not included in the IVA, they can still contact you about that debt.
You may want to think about the best way to deal with debts not included in the IVA.