What Is Capquest?

If you received a letter from Capquest, asking you for money because of unpaid debt, you may be wondering what is Capquest and whether you should pay.

In this article, we’ll help you understand how the agency operates, whether it’s a legit company, and how to handle its requests.

Let’s dive in.

Who Are Capquest?

Capquest Debt Recovery is a debt collection agency that has been around since 1985, with headquarters in Glasgow and a registered office in Manchester.

As of 2014, Capquest (or Capquest Investments Limited) is owned by the financial service and investment group Arrow Global Group PLC. 

The company buys ‘old’ debt from lenders – including banks, credit companies, utility companies, and mobile phone operations– and recovers the funds from borrowers for a profit. 

As any debt collector, Capquest provides credit management solutions and repayment plans to debtors.

Is Capquest Legit?

Capquest is a member of the Credit Services Association and is authorised and registered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the number 721513 on the Financial Services Register.

Why Does Capquest Keep Calling Me?

If you’re getting calls, texts, or emails from Capquest, chances are, your creditor has sold off your debt to the company, and they’re now trying to recover what you owe.

Most debtors usually get a Capquest email, a letter, or a text first. In it, Capquest explains who the creditor was (or is) and how much you need to pay to clear it. 

If you don’t respond, Capquest will try to reach you via mobile. The company will provide a breakdown of what you owe and the charges that have built up as a result of your non-payment. Capquest will also offer a payment plan and inform you of the consequences of failing to pay off your debt.

If you ignore their advances, they might take you to court (usually as a last resort).

Worth noting: It is not uncommon for debt collection agencies to call debtors every day. If you tell Capquest that you only want to be contacted in writing, they have to respect your request. If they don’t, you can report Capquest for harassment to the Financial Ombudsman Services.

Is My Debt Too Old For Capquest To Collect?

Under the Limitation Act of 1980, creditors are required to take action against debtors to collect what they’re owed within a certain limitation period.

For most debts in the UK, the limitation period is 6 years (5 years in Scotland) since you’ve made your last payment or written to them.

If they take too long, the debt becomes ‘unenforceable’ or ‘statute barred’. This means that the debt still exists, but your creditor cannot get a CCJ (Country Court Judgement) or a charge order on your property to recover it. 

If Capquest is chasing you for an old debt and you’re certain that the debt is statute-barred, you can write to the company and let them know that you won’t be making any payments toward the debt. You can ask them to stop contacting you or to send you evidence that the debt hasn’t been statute barred.  

Can Capquest Send Bailiffs To My Home?

Capquest can send bailiffs to collect a debt you owe, but only after they’re granted a CCJ against you.

It’s important to remember that Capquest agents are not bailiffs. A bailiff is an enforcement officer that works for the court. 

They can visit your home and take your possession in place of cash payments, but they have to follow certain rules and regulations. 

If someone comes to your door claiming to be a bailiff, ask to see their identification cards. Note that you don’t have to let them inside your home, and they can’t forcibly enter it unless you have unpaid criminal debt.

What Rights Do I Have Over Capquest?

Since Capquest is a registered debt collection agency, it must abide by the laws and regulations put in place by the FCA. 

If not, you can make a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, and Capquest may end up paying a massive fine and even have its debt recovery licence revoked.

By law, debt recovery agencies are not allowed to:

• Bully or harass you for your unpaid debt.
• Lie, threaten, or use intimidation as a tactic to pressure you into paying a debt.
• Contact you directly if you have someone acting as an intermediary.

They must:

• Give you time to receive professional advice.
• Provide space to look through debt solutions.
• Offer an affordable payment plan.

What Legal Actions Can Capquest Launch Against Me?

If you have an outstanding debt that isn’t ‘statute barred’, Capquest can take you to court. 

The company will first apply for a CCJ and then send bailiffs to your home. If you don’t follow the rules of the CCJ, they can take further action to recover your debt. 

Capquest Debt Recovery Contact Information

If you receive a letter, text, or email from Capquest and want to discuss payment options or debt management solutions, you can contact the company via:

• Phone: 0333 999 7200*
• Fax:  0333 999 7299*
• Email: customers@capquest.co.uk

Note: If you’re sending an email, make sure that you include your account reference number.

Capquest Reviews

Capquest has a 3.9- star rating on Trustpilot based on 864 reviews.

Here’s what they said:

‘Spoke to someone from the Customer Service team who was very helpful. I explained my situation, and a payment plan was put into place. Very helpful.’ – Rheanna.

‘The lady I spoke to was professional and friendly, and we sorted everything out.

My only criticism is that since that call, I have been bombarded with emails and texts from the company. I have already filled in the survey.’  – Robert.

‘I was contacted by Capquest, offering me £1283.11 settlement of an outstanding debt of £3000+. I had not repaid the original debt because it arose when I was injured and was largely comprised of interest and charges which I disputed. I did, however pay the “settle this account” figure quoted by Capquest. I am now contacted by Capquest  about the remaining £1900+ with threats of home visits etc. Unable to talk to Capquest about this, no answer on the number quoted.’ – Craven.

Tips For Dealing With Debt

If you have trouble with your financial commitments, here’s what you can do to deal with your debt.

• Collect information about your debt.
• Check if the limitation period has passed.
• Create a list of ‘priority’ debts that you need to pay first.
• Seek help from debt consultants.
• Ask your creditors to set up a payment plan.
• Consider a debt consolidation loan.
• See if you can get a Debt Relief Order or apply for an Individual Voluntary Agreement (here’s how an IVA can affect your credit score)
• Increase your income by getting a side job.
• Reduce living costs (if possible).

If you have a small debt that you need to pay urgently, but you have a less-than-perfect credit score, here’s our list of the best bad credit lenders in the UK. Those who prefer paying smaller monthly sums might find instalment loans for people with bad credit more helpful.

Keep in mind that getting a loan is only a good idea if you have a solid repayment plan. If you’re not sure whether you can afford it, it’s best to seek an alternative.

Bottom Line

Capquest Debt Recovery is a debt collection agency that buys debt from a wide range of firms.

If the company contacts you, the best thing you can do is ask them to provide you with the necessary information regarding your debt. If your debt has been statute-barred, Capquest cannot take legal action against you to recover it.