Category: Debt Advice

6 Scottish Debt Help FAQs In 2020

Posted on by Craig Stocks
Having given Scottish debt help to over [volume] people in Scotland by giving them valuable Scottish debt advice and appropriate solutions, it’s fair to say that we get a lot of questions on a daily basis from people struggling with unaffordable debts. Here are some of the questions being asked in this week’s Trust Deed Scotland® QandA sessions.

What happens after signing the Trust Deed?

Once the Trust Deed has been signed it will be published on the ROI and within 7 days of registration, your creditors will be written to with details of your Income and Expenditure, Statement of Affairs and other statutory documents. The Trust Deed will then be registered as protected following expiry of the 5 week period from the date of the initial publication on the ROI, provided a third in value or a majority in number of creditors do not object to the Trust Deed proposal.

Am I protected during a DAS application process?

Your approved money adviser will be able to assist you in advising the DAS Administrator that you intend to apply for a DPP – this is referred to as an “intimation”. An intimation will protect you from enforcement action by creditors for an interim period of up to 6 weeks prior to the submission of your DPP application. You are only allowed to submit one such intimation in any 12-month period. See also recent changes to the Statutory Moratorium allowing greater protection for you. What is a DAS?

Will I be able to use credit whilst in a Trust Deed?

Whilst there is no legislation to restrict you from using credit, there will be no allowance given in your income and expenditure for any repayments, therefore, it is deemed inappropriate to incur further debt whilst in a Trust Deed. This applies also to other Scottish debt help solutions including Debt Arrangement Scheme and Sequestration.

Do I need to be a homeowner to sign a Trust Deed?

No. There is no restriction on your living arrangements.  You can be a homeowner, live in your partner’s home, private/council/housing association tenant or live with your parents. Remember also that a Trust Deed is neither an unsecured loan, or a secured loan and varies from debt consolidation loans.

Why would a Trust Deed be the right choice for me?

One of the best aspects of a Trust Deed is a confirmed date when your payments will stop and your debt will be cleared, which is usually within 48 months. If you can see an end to the problem then your future may a lot brighter. Other benefits of Trust Deeds as a Scottish debt solution are:
  • You will have only one affordable monthly payment to your creditors.
  • All of your interest is frozen
  • There is no initial set up charge
  • All creditors are bound by the Trust Deed and are therefore prevented from taking legal action and all pressure from them is stopped.
However, this doesn’t always mean that a Trust Deed is a good idea for everyone. We would always recommend getting expert Debt Advice in Scotland and at Trust Deed Scotland®  we would give you a personalised illustration of the options open to you and the Advantages and Disadvantages.

Where can I get Scottish debt help?

You can get Scottish debt advice today with Trust Deed Scotland®. There are a variety of debt solutions available in Scotland to help deal with your debts, regardless of the minimum or maximum amount of debt that you owe. You can find out more about the solutions by visiting our online debt advice page Or, if you would prefer to speak an experienced debt adviser, you can give us a call on 0141 221 0999 to find out more. Any advice offered is tailored, balanced, and non-judgemental. Find 1000’s of 5* Reviews on TrustPilot. We’re the leading debt relief company in the whole of Scotland.

Coronavirus Protection From Sheriff Officers

Posted on by Craig Stocks
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act has now officially been enacted, which comes with greater protection against Sheriff Officers in Scotland, our equivalent of a Bailiff. The Civil Enforcement Association had previously reported that in England and Wales, bailiffs had until recently been harassing people over typical debts such as council tax debts, even while social distancing rules had come into existence. As well as better protection against Sheriff Officers in Scotland, there is also now more relief from creditor enforcement action such as Wage Arrestment. The new legislated changes are part of a temporary amendment to the Statutory Moratorium in Scotland and allows you to apply for 6 months protection against creditor debt collection enforcement tactics, including the use of doorstep Sheriff Officers to collect debt.  

What is a Scottish Statutory Moratorium?

  The word Moratorium itself is derived from 19th-century Latin word ‘morat’ meaning ‘delayed’ and sounds quite intimidating on its own, but it is a benefit of people in Scotland worried about how the Coronavirus crisis may impact their finances, especially where enforcement action has been threatened against the individual. So, what is a Statutory Moratorium? Quite simply, it is a temporary prohibition of creditor enforcement activity, that it is free for an individual in Scotland to apply for and does not require an application to be made to the courts in Scotland, even though it protects individuals from court-approved debt recovery practices, known as diligence in Scotland. Once applied for, the Statutory Moratorium protects people from any further action being taken by Sheriff Officers and from applications being made to the courts to make people Sequestrated. The Statutory Moratorium protects people  in Scotland from:
  • Charge for Payments
  • Wage Arrestment
  • Bank Account Arrestment
  • Attachments of Property
If you are being threatened with any of these actions, or the process has already begun, contact Trust Deed Scotland immediately on 0141 221 0999 and we can advise on applying for Statutory Moratorium on your behalf.

Does a Scottish Statutory Moratorium Freeze Interest and Charges?

If we go back to the original Latin meaning of the phrase Moratorium; it means that enforcement action will be ‘delayed’. Your debt total may still increase during this time as your creditors may continue to apply interest to the outstanding amount. The purpose of extending the Scottish Statutory Moratorium terms during the Coronavirus outbreak via the new legislative powers of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act is to give you valuable breathing space during these uncertain times. As such, treat it as a stay of execution while you evaluate your options to pay back the debt to the best of your reasonable ability.  

Help With Sheriff Officers & Enforcement Action In Scotland

  If you’re struggling with unaffordable debts, due to a change in circumstances brought about directly as a result of the Coronavirus, or because you were already in financial difficulties before the crisis began, there is help available for you to repay those debts and look forward to a life after debt. As Scotland’s No.1 Debt Advice Company, having helped [volume] people since 2009; we have the experience required to help people in Scotland resolve their finances and get their monthly debt repayments down to an affordable level. Thousands of people have left Trust Deed Scotland a five-star debt advice review on TrustPilot and throughout the Coronavirus crisis, our advisors have been continuing to offer the same level of support, by working from home. Always 100% safe and confidential – our debt advisors have been working hard to explain the Pros and Cons of all solutions available to individuals in Scotland burdened with unaffordable debt concerns. We have spoken to while the Covid-19 crisis continues to unfold. Debt Arrangement Scheme The Debt Arrangement Scheme allows people in Scotland to repay all their debts, with one affordable payment each month. Once approved, the Debt Arrangement Scheme ensures that all interest and charges are legally frozen and ensures that you are protected against all creditor activity – from debt collection agencies to Sheriff Officers. In conjunction with a Statutory Moratorium, the Debt Arrangement Scheme will protect you from enforcement action. There are advantages, disadvantages and alternatives to the Debt Arrangement Scheme and you should give careful consideration to what is best for you, based on your own circumstances. Protected Trust Deeds Protected Trust Deeds use formal legislation that helps people reduce their overall debt payments to one fixed affordable monthly repayment. In order to qualify for a Trust Deed, you would typically have over £5,000 of unsecured debts. This may be credit cards, personal loans, payday loans and bank overdraft debts but can also include the likes of catalogue debts and Like the Debt Arrangement Scheme, in conjunction with a Statutory Moratorium, a Protected Trust Deed will protect you from enforcement action and Sheriff Officers. A Trust Deed term lasts a typical period of 48 months. After the Trust Deed term has complete, any remaining debt is then written off as unaffordable, giving you the freedom to get on with building your life. You should be aware that there are Trust Deed Pros and Cons, and there may be better solutions for you that allow you to deal with your debt and move forward with your life. Trust Deed Scotland® always recommends speaking to a qualified debt expert who shall be able to gather all information, and use that to give you a personalised illustration of the solutions available to you, and how it may affect you in the long-term.  

Where can you get reliable debt advice in Scotland?

  Talking about our debts to people that we do not know isn’t easy. Trust Deed Scotland® understands this more than most having helped over [volume] people in Scotland since 2009. We will always offer a friendly, non-judgemental advice service that doesn’t involve you being pressurised into a debt management product that you don’t understand. We’re very proud of our reviews we received where many people comment on the service that they have received and we will always have our clients best interests at heart. Give us a call on 0141 221 0999 or get started online.  

How long does a Trust Deed last in Scotland

Posted on by Craig Stocks

How long does a Trust Deed last in Scotland?

Trust Deeds offer a way out of unaffordable debt and the chance to rebuild your credit once the Trust Deed term has ended. The Trust Deed is a debt solution that’s only available to residents of Scotland and typically lasts for 48 months although there are some factors that can affect the length of time that a person would be in a Trust Deed. One of the major factors in the length of your Trust Deed is whether or not you own your own property. Many individuals have concerns that their house might have to be sold when they enter a Trust Deed, but this is not automatically true, as the outcome largely depends on the level of equity available in the property. A popular alternative to a Protected Trust Deed in Scotland is known as the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) which offers much of the same protection that a Trust Deed does, but without the ‘debt write off’ aspect. However, depending on the total debt you have, and your ability to repay – it is possible that you could repay your debt back quicker than the time it would take you to repay your debts using a Trust Deed.

Using property as part of a Trust Deed

When considering how long does a Trust Deed last in Scotland – If your home is mortgaged, the equity figure will be the property’s value minus the amount needed to repay the mortgage. There is minimal benefit for the Trust Deed administrator to use the property as part of a settlement if the equity is minimal. Similarly, should you decide to sell your home, you may be able to end the Trust Deed earlier than the initial 48 months if your creditors are repaid in full plus interest and all the Trust Deed costs have been covered.

Where a Trust Teed lasts longer than four years

A Trust Deed can last longer than the standard term of 48 months in certain circumstances:
  • If the Trustee negotiates low monthly payments in comparison with your overall debt, it may then be necessary to extend the Trust Deed term so that creditors will be more likely to approve the arrangement.
  • Some other Trust Deed companies charge excessive fees when arranging Trust Deeds, which results in a longer-term than forty-eight months.
  • If you were to inherit money or receive a windfall during the term of your Trust Deed, it’s likely that the Trustee will either increase your repayments or extend the Trust Deed term to provide your creditors with a higher return.
  • There is also a possibility that your personal circumstances could change during the initial 48-month term. Redundancy, or being unable to work due to ill health is two examples. In these cases, your Trustee may allow you to take a payment ‘holiday’ but extend the term at the end of the Trust Deed.
It’s important to take care when approaching Trust Deed companies to ensure they are reputable – in particular, be wary of excessive Trust Deed fees that might result in a needlessly extended term. Trust Deed Scotland has gathered over [reviews] five star Trust Deed reviews on Trustpilot. A signal that we are a Trust Deed provider that can be trusted to give you the correct advice.

What happens at the end of a Protected Trust Deed?

  At the end of your Trust Deed term, any debts remaining are written off, and your details are removed from the Trust Deed register within three months. You’ll also receive a certificate of completion from your Trustee to confirm that you’ve met your obligations. Where your credit file is concerned, it typically will be amended to show that the Trust Deed has been successfully completed. It will be difficult to obtain credit or other borrowing for several years after the Trust Deed. Approximately how long after a Trust Deed could you get a mortgage? This largely depends on the lender, but it’s likely that you’ll pay a higher interest rate than a ‘standard’ mortgage if you’re successful with an application. Trust Deed Scotland® has extensive experience of negotiating trust deeds on behalf of our clients and can provide reliable and comprehensive trust deed information. The length of a trust deed is an important aspect of the arrangement, as it determines when you can start to rebuild your financial life. Call one of our debt advice experts to find out more about your options.

Is a Trust Deed a good idea?

Trust Deeds can be a valuable aid to help you manage unaffordable debts and look forward to a lift after debt. However, they are not right for everybody and there may be more suitable debt management solutions for you. You can call us on 0141 221 0999 for confidential advice tailored to your needs. Our non-judgemental and experienced debt advisers have helped over [volume] people and that advice includes all other debt management techniques in Scotland.

Trust Deed alternatives?

There are alternatives such as the Debt Arrangement Scheme. Minimal Asset Process and Sequestration. The solutions offered to you will depend on your affordability and your situation. Every person’s situation is unique and therefore the options open to them will vary from case to case.  You may find that when you ask the question of how long a Trust Deed lasts in Scotland, how long it will take you to become debt-free if you pursued these other options.

Where else can I get money advice in Scotland?

To find out more about managing your money and getting free advice, visit Money Helper, an independent service set up to help people manage their money.

Can I Have A Mobile Phone Contract On A Trust Deed?

Posted on by Craig Stocks

Can I Have A Mobile Phone Contract In A Trust Deed?

It’s a question many people ask Trust Deed Scotland when they are considering entering a Trust Deed or alternative debt management solutions in Scotland. A question that can stop some of those individuals from applying for a Trust Deed due to a fear of the unknown. The short answer is yes, yes you can have a mobile phone contract while you’re in a Trust Deed. A mobile phone is an expenditure that is approved in almost all cases if the contractual amounts are reasonable. It’s often a question of affordability and helping to ensure that you can afford to make regular contributions during the term of your Trust Deed.

Shopping Around While In a Debt Solution?

You can shop around for a new mobile phone contract while in a Trust Deed and even complete the whole application online if you are worried about being rejected for a new mobile phone contract in person. Consider comparison sites such as Carphone Warehouse or providers such as GiffGaff. You can also apply online using the mobile phone provider’s direct websites – EE, Three, O2, iD, Vodafone and depending on your current television package, you may also consider Sky Mobile or Virgin Mobile. Tesco Mobile is another mobile phone contract that you can consider. When considering which mobile network, plan, and handset you should consider how much you would typically call and send text messages and how much data you typically use. For example, do you utilise Wi-Fi in your home, place of work or for example. Travel companies such as Scotrail and First Bus tend to offer limited Wi-Fi services on their vehicles, which can reduce your data consumption while commuting and lower your average monthly data requirement. Most supermarkets, bars, coffee shops and retail shops offer their customers Wi-Fi too. When connected to Wi-Fi, you can use free app services such as WhatsApp and Telegram to send your family and friends text messages or make calls to other mobile users and they offer a realistic alternative to picture messaging. You can make calls to other mobiles using Facebook Messenger, Skype and a variety of other apps. NOTE: If you do change from using your mobile data to Wi-Fi, you should always seek permission first with the bill payer and be wary of any surplus data charges from your broadband provider.

Contract vs Pay As You Go Mobile?

A mobile phone contract may not always be the best solution for you. Pay as you go, can be just as effective while in a Trust Deed, depending on your mobile phone needs.  Here’s why: 1. Cheaper Monthly Cost If you consider a pay as you go arrangement while in a Trust Deed, you have the immediate advantage of not needing to pay the cost of buying the handset. It’s often marketed that the handset is free when you sign a new 12-24 month mobile phone contract, but the truth is that you cover the cost of the handset over the fixed term of the contract. The newer, more expensive mobile phone handsets incur a higher monthly cost and you will then pay more on a monthly basis therein. In what’s referred to as an upsell with payments broken down into small increments to make them sound insignificant, an extra payment of £10 per month over 24 months to flip your new devices storage space from 32gb to 64gb will cost you £240 over 2 years. Upgrading from a standard colour to the latest in-trend colour can cost you an extra £5p/m – £120 over two years – is the newest colour really worth that extra cost, especially since most people nowadays buy a protective cover that obscures the handset’s colour. 2. No Overpayments Consider charges that you may incur outside of your contract plan. Data, calls, picture messaging. These charges all add up. With pay as you go, you set the budget and never need to worry about a sudden increase. 3. Greater Flexibility Mobile phone contracts typically incur early cancelation charges and often do not allow you to carry over surplus data, minutes or texts. Therefore, if you’re paying for 4gb data but only using 2gb per month; you’re still paying for 4gb regardless. You can buy more data, more minutes and more text as add-ons; but this will increase the cost of your mobile phone whilst in your Trust Deed. 4. More Freedom With a PAYG mobile while in a Trust Deed, you have the freedom to move providers whenever it suits you.  Therefore, if you want to move from EE to Vodafone, you can do this easily.

Can I Add My Old Mobile Phone Debt To My Trust Deed Or DAS?

Yes. If you don’t intend to use that same device as your current mobile phone. You can usually add old mobile phone bills debt to your list of creditors, but if you want to add this to your Trust Deed or Debt Arrangement Scheme, you need to ensure that the contract has already been canceled and expect that any early cancelation fees will also be added to your debt with the provider and will increase your total level of debt.  You cannot add mobile phone arrears to the plan and expect to be able to still use the device(s). The same provider is then unlikely to offer you a new contract while in your Trust Deed.

Trust Deed Scotland Are Here To Help!

If you’re struggling with your debts and you’re finding that having a mobile phone is an expense too far, Trust Deed Scotland can help by giving you personalised debt advice. Their qualified debt advisors give confidential, non-judgmental advice on the pros and cons of any debt solution that you may qualify for. Having advised over 20,000 people in Scotland and with having collected thousands of five-star reviews, Trust Deed Scotland always have their clients’ best interests at heart. Call 0141 221 0999 for advice or find out what your options are by completing the Trust Deed Wizard online.

Debt Terms Explained: A Jargon Busting Guide

Posted on by Craig Stocks
When taking out a mortgage, applying for a loan or choosing the right savings account, confusing jargon is an unfortunate fact of life when it comes to almost any financial product or service. A study by Which?, the UK’s consumer association, found that only 1 in 10 people read the terms and conditions carefully when opening their bank account. This is hardly a surprise, considering that Nationwide accounts offer the ‘most concise’ T&C’s at over 7,500 words in the small print. Debt advice, too often, falls into the same trap of using confusing terms. Industry jargon can make the crucial first steps to tackling your debt problem appear even more daunting, discouraging many people from taking action. At Trust Deed Scotland we know that dealing with debt can be stressful and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to tackle the problem. This guide will explain in plain English the meaning of some of the key terms you are likely to encounter throughout your journey in reducing your personal debt. Our most known service at Trust Deed Scotland is the Protected Trust Deed, and the guide will place special emphasis on the terms you are most likely to come across in your chat with our experienced team who will also advise on alternative solutions such as DAS. Learn more about this in What is a DAS?  

Creditors & Debtors

A ‘creditor’ is someone you owe money to and you become a ‘debtor’ when you owe someone money. For example, if you have an outstanding bank loan of £1,000, the bank is your creditor and you are their debtor. In consultation with our team, one of the first questions we will ask is how many creditors you have – in other words, how many people or companies do you owe money to?  

Trustee/IP

A ‘Trustee’ is a very broad term in accounting. In the context of a Trust Deed, a Licensed Insolvency Practioner (IP) will become your Trustee –  the person who will take control of your case for you once the Trust Deed is signed. They handle all administrative work and any communication from creditors (letters, phone calls etc) will be sent to them instead of you.  

Guarantor

A Guarantor is someone (often a family member or friend) who agrees to pay a debt on someone else’s behalf. When a landlord or loan provider asks you to provide one, this is essentially what they are looking for as a way of ensuring they will be paid/repaid.  

Sheriff Officers (Bailiffs)

Sheriff Officers (Scotland’s Equivalent of Bailiffs) and sometimes called ‘enforcement agents’ are legal officials who can in certain circumstances enter your home and seize belongings to contribute towards your debt. In the UK, this is often the last resort. It may, however, be worth seeking guidance on your rights and Sheriff Officer powers, a basic guide is available on the Citizens Advice website.  

Secured & Unsecured Debt

The distinction between secured and unsecured debt or loans is very important in terms of a Trust Deed. Basically, secured debt is money borrowed that is attached to an asset. The best example is a mortgage on your home. If you fail to make the payments, your creditor could move to take ownership of the home. Unsecured debts are not tied to any asset. As a basic rule: secured debts cannot be included in a Trust Deed, while unsecured debts can. Our advisers will ask what your unsecured debts are. A Trust Deed can include most unsecured debts, including:
  • Unsecured Loans
  • Credit Cards
  • Council Tax arrears
  • Payday Loans
  • Store Cards
  • Catalogues
  • Overdrafts
  • Credit Unions
  • Previous Mortgage (shortfall)
  • Previous Car HP (shortfall)
  • HMRC Bills (self-employed)
  • Child maintenance arrears
 

Equity

If you’re a homeowner, equity is the difference between what your home is worth in market value today and the amount you have left to pay on your mortgage loan. For example: if your home is valued at £200,000, and you have £150,000 to pay on your mortgage – you would have equity of £50,000.  

Credit Rating

Your credit rating indicates to your lenders how likely you are to repay your debts based on your credit history. It’s what a lender uses to decide whether or not to lend you money. A poor credit rating may see a lender more reluctant to provide you with a loan. Your credit rating is based on how your credit history and how well you’ve demonstrated that you can repay debts. Credit ratings are often misunderstood, we recently debunked 9 stubborn credit score misconceptions.  

Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation is where you combine your existing debts, borrowing money to repay all or most of them. This leaves you with the same outstanding debt, but to a single creditor as opposed to multiple. With the right strategy, this can reduce the total interest or monthly totals you have to repay.  

Priority/Non-Priority debts

Priority debts often have serious consequences when you fail to make payments. Including, for example, the loss of your home in the case of a mortgage loan. In other instances, they can lead to imprisonment. Non-priority debts, on the other hand, have less serious immediate consequences. It is therefore important to know what your priority debts are and a more comprehensive guide is available in our Priority vs Non-Priority debt guide. Also see MoneyHelper priority debt guide for further reading.  

Disposable Income

This is the money you have available to spend after paying all main living expenses, such as utility bills or rent. In the context of a trust deed, our advisers will need to figure out how much disposable income you have each, to determine what your new monthly payment will be.

Statutory Moratorium

What is a Statutory Moratorium? This is a short term measure that can prevent legal action from creditors while you consider what your options are on a more permanent basis. This breathing space can be valuable for someone who doesn’t know if they need or want a formal debt solution and lasts for a period of 6 months. Trust Deed Scotland can help you apply for a Statutory Moratorium, which doesn’t cost any money.  

Arrears

An arrear is simply a missed payment, normally stated as how many months behind on payments you are.  

Default Notice

This is a document sent from a creditor when a borrower breaks the terms of an agreement with them (most commonly, by failing to make repayments.) A typical default notice will state that they intend to reclaim the sum owed; how they intend to do so (normally through court proceedings;) and how you can fix the situation within a certain time limit (normally by paying back the debt with additional charges.)  

Hire Purchase

A Hire Purchase (HP) sees a customer pay for something in instalments, and not own it until after all payments have been made. The most common example is a car, though it can be many other things.  

APR

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) allows customers to compare interest rates from different lenders. APR adds the interest rates of a loan with any other charges or fees (like administration fees.) Therefore, the lower the APR on a loan, the cheaper it is in terms of repayment.  

Compound interest

Compound interest is essentially interest on interest. It takes 25 years to pay off the average credit card if you make only the minimum monthly repayment. So, for example, assume you borrowed £1000 with an interest rate of 15% over 20 years. Without making any repayments, your bill would amass to £16,400.  

Variable Rate

If a loan contains a variable rate, this means that your lender can increase or decrease the interest rate at will.

Help to understand Scottish debt jargon!

Hopefully, this guide has offered clarity on some confusing terms which you will need to familiarise with on your journey towards a brighter future. If you find yourself in an unmanageable situation and are ready to get started, we can help. We are an experienced, friendly team who have helped over [volume] people press the reset button on their personal finances with a Protected Trust Deed. For an accurate assessment of whether a Protected Trust Deed is the right option for you, get in touch for a tailored, confidential consultation with the team on 0141 221 0999 or see if you qualify today  

How to Budget Your Way to Healthier Finances

Posted on by Craig Stocks
After a decade of stagnant wage growth and unprecedented personal debt levels in the UK, it’s more important than ever, to have your finances in order. We know how busy most people’s lives are; be it working full time, caring for family or both. Often, staying on top of your finances ends up taking a backseat in the daily chaos. In our experience,  most people’s debt problem is worse than they imagine – from the number of creditors to their total debt, many people lose track of their situation along the way. For most, doing a full audit of their finances sounds like a daunting prospect and a drain on their time. It can seem difficult to create the right budget for you – let alone stick to it but a well-planned budget will help you stay on top of your finances and should leave you with you enough money to spend on necessities and the things most important to you. We’re going to talk you through how to take the paralysing first steps. In this article, you will find clear, practical guidance on why you should budget; how to create a budget; and crucially, how to stick to it and avoid debt.  

Why Budget?

Whether you are working your way out of debt or planning to avoid it altogether, a plan of action balancing your income and expenses each month is essential. A common misconception is that a budget isn’t suitable for those on a low income or with a high level of debt already. Instead, a budget will essentially show you a monthly ‘bottom line,’ the amount of money you have left after expenses each month – or in some cases how far ‘in the red’ you are, meaning that your expenses are higher than your income. In reaching that bottom line, you will have laid out all of your monthly expenses. From that list, you will be able to identify where you can cut back on spending and eliminate any unnecessary payments which you can’t afford. As you record all the little expenses down you will notice how they all add up, and how small changes can go a long way. Aside from planning to avoid debt, budgeting is also an essential tool when it comes to forward planning for positive goals. Start with ‘why?’ Why are you budgeting, and what do you want it to achieve for you? Clear answers to these questions greatly increase your odds of sticking to the plan.  Whether it is pursuing financial freedom, getting out of the red and tackling your debt problem; or saving up to travel, place a deposit on a home or any one of life’s many bigger financial goals – you will need an ultimate reason to believe in your plan. Before you start, take a moment and note down:
  1. The big financial goals you want to achieve long term – like home ownership, starting your own business or a family or clearing your debts.
  2. An intermediate goal you want to achieve in the next year – like writing reducing your debts, building up a savings fund or enjoying a lovely holiday.
  3. Something you want to achieve in the first month – like making the necessary cuts to avoid maxing out a credit card or missing any essential payments.
A clear picture of what your budget will do for you in the long, medium and short-term will keep you motivated to follow your plan. Keep re-evaluating it with trial and error to ensure it leads you to those goals.  

How to Budget

In terms of how to set up your budget, there are several ways you can approach it – ultimately, the best method will be the one which works best for you. A budget ultimately aims to help you arrive at an accurate, monthly ‘bottom line’ with an accompanying list of your monthly expenses. When trying to break down your income and outgoing expenses off the top of your you could easily leave out crucial costs which need to be accounted for in your budget. As such, you may want to use online tools to help you through the process. Money Saving Expert and the Money Advice Service offer online planners which set out an extensive list of common expenses you can fill in, and have the maths done for you. If you have a Google Sheets account they offer a free online budget template you can use to map all your income and expenses. These tools are comprehensive and should cover most of what you will need to include. Once you have arrived at your bottom line and decided which of your payments are necessities we suggest that you automate payment of them. Previously, we have spoken about the ‘piggybanking’ technique and reiterate that this should be at the heart of your plan. With this method, you use separate online banking accounts and direct debit payments to ensure that your main priorities are always met. Our previous guide set out the key steps as follows:
  • Step 1: Decide the main areas where you need to make savings and set a new ideal monthly spend in that area (the budget planner can help you do this.)
  • Step 2: Set up a new bank account for each. Besides your main current account, always have a bills account and if you are self-employed a tax account.
  • Step 3: Set up a direct debit from your main current account into each of these accounts. Schedule this for 2-3 days after payday
This way, your main current account will give an accurate picture of what you have available after paying off key expenses. When you use online banking – access to your current account balance on your phone allows you to continually check on it in real time, while knowing that all of your essentials are covered. From here, you might want to keep a proportion aside for emergencies and unforeseen costs such as breakdowns or accidents. You could do so by following a similar process and automating a monthly payment into a savings account. By automating the transfer of money you need for essentials and an emergency/savings fund, you won’t see this money in your current account and reduce any temptation you may have to spend it unnecessarily. Any money left in your account after deducting all bills and essential payments and your emergency fund will be yours to spend as you please – but be mindful and realistic of your budget, being careful not to overspend.  

Sticking to Your Budget and Avoiding Debt

In truth, most people likely already know about the benefits of budgeting and have tried at least once to set one up. The hardest part of budgeting is sticking to it. We are confident that the automation process will prove very helpful and do some of the heavy lifting for you. Nonetheless, there are a couple more keys to success we feel you need to know. Ultimately, you must be realistic. You may well follow a highly restrictive budget for a few weeks or even months. But over time many begin to slip when it comes to the ‘£5 here’ and ‘£10 there’ transactions, forgetting to evaluate their budget regularly. We’re all human, and your budget should take that into account. Account for what is important to you in terms of leisure, entertainment and your hobbies. Without being too lenient, reward and treat yourself in a way that will encourage you to make the necessary sacrifices – whether that is a nice meal out, a holiday or any other purchase within your means. A budget ultimately aims to change your habits, and small rewards are a vital part of this process. If you have a high disposable income but find yourself overspending on non-essential items Bank accounts like Monzo may help. Monzo gives you the option to create ‘spending pots’ – you put a set amount of money into each for say, entertainment, eating out or shopping and Monzo will keep you updated on where you’re spending money has gone.  

In a Position That You Can’t Budget Your Way Out of?

Even having followed this advice, those with more serious debt problems would perhaps benefit more from a formal debt solution. If you are in an increasingly unmanageable position, there are debt solutions available in Scotland that could be an option for you to write off unaffordable debt and reduce your monthly repayments to one affordable sum. Our experienced advisers have helped over 30,000 people like you, get out of debt. With over [reviews] of reviews on TrustPilot, take a look at how we have helped our customers manage their debt. For an accurate assessment of what debt solutions are the right option for you, get in touch for a confidential discussion with our team on 0141 221 0999 or find out if you qualify with our Trust Deed Wizard®.

Reasons not to be Embarrassed About Debt

Posted on by Craig Stocks
It sounds easy to say, but you genuinely shouldn’t feel embarrassed by debt. For a brighter future, trust us. We have more 5 star TrustPilot reviews than all other Scottish debt solutions providers combined. In a 2024 Trust Deed Scotland® customer survey, 65% of our customers told us that the fear of being judged and feeling ashamed and embarrassed about their debt stopped them from doing something about their debt sooner than they did. Based on the feedback we have received from thousands of customers, we know that problem debt can lead to a string of shame and embarrassment. Many people in Scotland struggle to even talk about their debt problem, let alone to reach out and get help. If you’re feeling ashamed, guilty or embarrassed about your debt you are not alone. We receive hundreds of calls every month from people just like you: people in debt, struggling to make ends meet and feeling helpless. The UK is in the midst of a debt crisis. Personal, unsecured debt has soared to unprecedented levels; the average total unsecured consumer debt per UK household was £8,375 in October 2025. While we would never advocate giving up all responsibility, a lot has happened economically and politically in the last decade beyond our control – from wage growth stagnation, to wage and public service cuts and restricted access to quality sources of credit. All of this is without even touching on more personal, unforeseen, changes in circumstances like losing your job, medical problems or utility breakdowns.

Embarrassed About Debt

  Though it may seem difficult, it’s important not to beat yourself up and buy into popular misconceptions about debt. It’s a common belief that people land in debt because they’re bad with money, their spending is out of control and they are living beyond their means. From our experience, this could not be further from the truth. The truth is that problem debt does not arise from one reckless purchase, nor does it happen overnight. Problem debt builds up as a result of a spiral effect:
  • for any multitude of reasons, you struggle to pay essential bills;
  • you borrow to fill that gap;
  • much of your income is now tied up in repaying loans, and; you now have to keep borrowing to keep your head above water.
We’ve heard from thousands of people and families that have gotten stuck in this spiral over the years. Most were simply trying to make ends meet (with perhaps some bad spending habits).  

Getting Informed and Predatory Lending

  One of the main effects of the debt spiral is that once you are in debt it’s difficult to get out of it. This is made worse by the confusing, often overwhelming jargon terms used in the financial industry. These terms make the already daunting first steps to tackling your debt seem even more intimidating – you may find our Jargon Busting Guide helpful. On top of this, our education system does little to prepare us for the practicalities of budgeting and financial planning. Several years ago, a study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology found that those who aren’t well-versed in finances are more likely to spend compulsively, use expensive credit, and experience difficulty following changes in income or unforeseen events. Financial education was only made compulsory in the school curriculum in 2014, and two years after that, The Money Charity reported that over 75% of teachers considered it “somewhat or very ineffective.” – with not much evidence of change a decade later in 2024. Further, there are businesses and entire industries built upon predatory lending. Of course, the main examples are buy now pay later lenders payday loan companies. The UK’s financial regulators had previously taken interest in the advertising practices of payday lenders, as opposed to the high (and increasing) cost of these loans. Even more reputable lenders like banks have a lot to answer for in terms of profiting from growing consumer debt levels. Buy now, pay lenders are coming under the same level of scrutiny in recent years with campaigners focusing on increased regulation of the sector.  Given that you likely received little or no help in managing your spending and finances; and that many companies actually have a vested interest in the national debt crisis, you should reconsider shaming yourself because of a debt problem.  

Taking Back Control

  Apart from for the good of your mental health, the main reason why you shouldn’t feel ashamed of your debt problem is that embarrassment will not help to improve your situation. In fact, it will make it even worse. When something leaves us anxious, embarrassed and ashamed, it’s easier to hide from and avoid that feeling, than it is to deal with it. People are pretty good at hiding from their debt problem, no matter how severe it is. Think of the times when you avoided looking at your bank statement for days or avoided talking about money with others because it reminded you about your situation. Hiding debt from yourself is the best way to increase the amount that you owe. Instead of hiding, it’s important that you face up to how much you owe and come to understand how your problem arose without judging yourself. Your debt problem does not define you as a person. If, on top of the common issues identified above, you have made poor spending decisions in the past, this is not a reflection of your character. It is merely a bad habit which you can fix with the right information, strategy and a bit of time. From this more self-compassionate headspace, you can address the problem and get your finances, and your life, back on track. As a starting point, you can consider our comprehensive guides on budgeting and debt consolidation. Should your problem require more drastic measures, and debt has really gotten on top of you, we can help with a more head-on option. We specialise in debt advice for the residents of Scotland.  

Embarrassed by debt no more – Non-judgemental advice is available

Take a look at our Trust Deed reviews and find thousands of stories from individuals who were also embarrassed by debt, or suffered from conditions like anxiety, stress and depression as a result. We’ve advised over [volume] people and believe us when we say they really do come from all walks of life yet share common reasons for finding themselves in debt.  For tailored debt advice, give us a call today on 0141 221 0999 or find out if you qualify for a debt solution using our Trust Deed Wizard tool. This could be your first step towards a better future with less stress and worry.  

A practical guide to tracking down your debts

Posted on by Craig Stocks
Trust Deed Scotland – A practical guide to tracking down your debts and finding out how much debt you actually have. When you pick up the phone for a consultation with our expert team, one of the questions we will ask you is “how much debt do you have?” This is a seemingly simple starting point, but many don’t actually realise how much debt they really have. Some compartmentalise their debt and avoid the total figure: it is more reassuring after all to say “I have a mortgage of £30,000, credit card balance of £3,000 and a car hire purchase of £10,000,” than it is to say “I am £43,000 in debt.” Others underestimate small purchases and loans, which add up to more than you would think over time; and others have simply never kept track of their credit reports. Debt can be far more expensive than you think, especially when you add collection agencies, interest and added fees into the equation. On our Debt Help Info Hub, we regularly mention that taking the first steps to putting your house in order can be daunting. From our experience, a major part of this fear is facing up to how much you actually owe and how to find out. Tracking down how much you owe is the first crucial step in sorting your debt, we’ll show you how in this guide. NOTE: Our Trust Deed Wizard tool can do this for you automatically, without needing to carry out these steps manually.

Tracking Down Your Debts: our step-by-step guide

 

Step 1: List what you can

  Ordinarily, you should know who you owe a balance to – if the account has been assigned or sold to a collection agent, they will have called, emailed or sent you a letter. tracking down your debts and be made more difficult as the original debt gets passed around – the older and more delinquent a debt becomes; the higher possibility it’s been passed around and sold off to a number of debt collection agencies. This can easily happen when you move address, and forget to tell the original lender and any subsequent agencies. You don’t need to feel bad about this, it happens. Not only does this happen with our debts, but our dentists, doctors and any marketing literature from anything we’ve ever bought over the last few years as well. First things first then when you’re looking to track down your debts, you’ll need to scour through your mail, bank statements, voicemail and email inbox to get your list of creditors started. Pro Tip: use online banking, and go straight to the cancelled direct debits section. A list of cancelled payments will likely help add some info you may have forgotten to your list.  

Step 2: Review your credit reports

  It’s now time to start double checking your list and filling in any blanks with help from your credit report. Most loan accounts (such as credit cards, hire purchases, payday loans) are reported to the major credit reporting agencies. The three largest credit reference agencies in the UK are Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian and they all provide a free service for you to conduct an annual check. All the information you need that you may not have been able to find or remember for your list so far should be available here. The original creditor may report the debt as a ‘past-due account’ or a ‘charge-off,’ and the name of the collection agency that is trying to collect it. Relevant contact information should be provided, so you can reach out to them directly if you need more information. Pro Tip: Use all three of the free services mentioned to ensure the best chance of a complete picture. Some information may be on one but not the other two.  

Step 3: Get in touch for confirmation

  Your list should now be just about complete. Have a final check through letters, bank statements and emails and a final think for anything you may have forgotten that hasn’t appeared for whatever reason. From here, go down your list and get in touch with each creditor and confirm with them that they are in control of the relevant account or whether they have sold or re-sold it. As a word of warning, when calling a collection agency as opposed to an original creditor, despite the official sounding company name, the agent you get on the phone with will not be a lawyer or chartered accountant. They will most likely be a call center worker with sales training and a monthly target. They may attempt to get you to make a payment over the phone ASAP. If this is not affordable for you, do not hesitate to hang up the phone after you have gathered the information you need. Pro Tip: In the case of council tax, accounts are ‘assigned’ as opposed to ‘sold.’ This means that agents for the council can recall the account to their control on a whim and will accept payment over the phone directly if you explain your situation and demonstrate a willingness to pay in the near future. This could save you 10-20% in additional charges the collection agent will demand.  

Moving Forward

  You should now have a complete list of your creditors and outstanding balances in front of you. Add these together for the overall figure, and you now have the full picture of your total debts. For many, this figure can be higher than their annual salary and more drastic measures than debt consolidation or gradual repayment may be necessary. This is where we come in, and can offer a ‘formal’ debt solution. The Protected Trust Deed, and DAS Scotland, our specialist services are binding agreements between you and your creditors, overseen and administered by an Insolvency Practitioner (IP). The Trust Deed allows you to repay your debts in a single, reduced monthly payment distributed to creditors by your IP. In time, the Protected Trust Deed will give you the financial fresh start we have been able to offer over [volume] people in Scotland. To review your options with one of our experienced debt advisers, get in touch today on 0141 221 0999 or find out if you qualify using our Trust Deed Wizard tool. 

Sheriff Officers, their powers and what to do when faced with one

Posted on by Craig Stocks
Dealing with bailiffs at your doorstep is one of the most anxiety-provoking, overwhelming aspects of a debt problem. In Scotland, bailiffs are called sheriff officers. Typically, you will encounter a sheriff officer if you have unsecured debts like council tax arrears, tax payments or utility bill arrears which you are struggling to repay. What’s worse is, you may find yourself too busy trying to get by, to learn about their powers or what to do should you ever find yourself receiving that knock on the door. Sheriff officers enforce court orders relating to debt recovery on behalf of government agencies, private companies or individual creditors. With the right documentation, a Sheriff Officer can enter your home, using reasonable force if blocked from doing so and remove items that belong to you, both inside or outside of your home. These items are taken and resold with the proceeds going towards repaying your outstanding debt balance. While they are officers of the court they are not the police, and therefore their powers are limited in that they can only enforce an existing court order. Creditors are entitled to instruct sheriff officers to take action only when they have made formal attempts to collect your debt. If you have received a ‘charge for payment’ (a formal demand for payment which is commonly sent after at least two or three previous letters warning of court action) this is your guide on sheriff officers: what they can and can’t do; your rights, and how to handle the situation without creating new problems.  

Powers of a Sheriff Officer in Scotland

  Forced Entry The ultimate concern of anyone with unsecured debts they can’t afford is that a sheriff officer will force their way into their home and seize their possessions indiscriminately. Though forced entry is allowed in certain cases, it is quite rare and depends on express authority from the courts.< So when can Sheriff Officers enter your home in Scotland? The Sheriff Officer requires an ‘Exceptional Attachment Order’ before they can force entry. Prior to gaining an Exceptional Attachment Order, a creditor must show that they have made reasonable attempts to repay the debt such as serving you with a Charge for Payment, allowing you 14 days to repay your debt. Additionally, for the order to be valid, you must have received a Debt Advice and Information Package from your creditor along with the charge for payment. As such, whoever your creditor may be, you should always be sure to note whether or not you have received an information pack with any documentation they have sent. A Sheriff Officer should also first try a less intrusive way of recovering your debt such as arresting your bank account, executing an Earning Arrestment or enforcing an Attachment Order. However, if a creditor can prove that they didn’t employ these methods because it wouldn’t have resulted in the debt being repaid they can be excused from not using them and apply for an Exceptional Assessment Order. Before granting an Exceptional Assessment Order a Sheriff Officer will consider the nature of your debt, your living, working and financial circumstances and whether you have applied for and been rejected from debt help in the past along with a number of other factors. When an Exceptional Assessment Order is granted however, they can force entry to, and remove items from your home. What if I refuse entry to the Sheriff Officers?  If you or someone over the age of 16 with a full understanding of the situation does refuse entry to an authorised sheriff officer, they can force a door open or break a lock/window to gain entry. It’s quite ambiguous who would pay for these damages but the general rule is that the cost is covered as part of the officer’s fee. However, it is not uncommon for the cost to be forwarded onto you. Sheriff Officers cannot enter or seize possessions if, when they arrive:
  • You or someone over the age of 16 is not present.
  • If you’re not present, but someone aged 16 or older is they can’t force entry if that person doesn’t speak or understand English; or is unable to understand the situation because of physical or mental disability.
What can Sheriff Officers take? If the Sheriff Officer has an Exceptional Attachment Order, they are entitled to seize any ‘non-essential’ possessions from inside your home. They can also take any goods from outside your home unless they are exempt – as an example, they can force entry into a locked garage to recover a car you have missed hire purchase payments on. It will hopefully be reassuring to know, however, that most of the goods inside your home are likely to be exempt, as it is recognised by the courts that they are essential and you will, therefore, need them. When can Sheriff Officers visit? Sheriff officers are allowed to enforce the order between working the hours of 8am and 8pm. They cannot come to your home at all on a Sunday or a Bank Holiday. Unfortunately, you will not normally be notified as to when they will be coming unless they are in possession of an Exceptional Attachment Order.  

What to Do When Facing a Sheriff Officer

  Again, a sheriff officer can only come into your home with the correct authority from the court to do so – the Exceptional Attachment Order. Without exception, you should always immediately ask the sheriff officer to show you their identification and the document that states that they have the authority to come inside. They are obliged to show you both. Every Sheriff Officer has a red booklet with an identification photograph and the crest of the Scottish court service. It is countersigned by the sheriff clerk for the relevant area. In some cases, it may not be clear from the court document that permission to enter your home is included. As to the Attachment Order, the document usually has a phrase like “grants warrant for all lawful execution.” This is the group of words you are looking for, as they do provide appropriate authority. If you are in any doubt you should ask for the officer’s employer and call them. Though an upsetting ordeal, if the identification and documentation check out, you would be well-advised not to obstruct enforcement. You may face a ‘breach of the peace’ charge if you try to obstruct an officer of the court from carrying out a legitimate court order. It goes without saying that you should not resort to violence. Crucially, at any stage, you can arrange to pay the officer part or all of the debt. If this is affordable, it is probably preferable to having essential goods repossessed, and you should definitely offer to pay whatever you can.  

Has a Sheriff Officer Exceeded Authority?

  If you think that a sheriff officer has behaved in an unreasonable way or taken action beyond their entitled powers, you should immediately call or contact their employer asking for an explanation. You should then make a formal complaint with the Sheriff Principal if you feel that their behaviour has been unreasonable. The Sheriff Principal can arrange for an investigation to be carried out.  

How to avoid this situation

  Dealing with bailiffs and sheriff officers is one of the most distressing aspects of a debt problem, and we may be able to help you avoid to avoid this situation altogether. One of the key advantages of our specialist service, the Protected Trust Deed is that once it is signed and has become protected, as long as you stick to the agreed terms, your creditors can no longer legally contact you or further pursue your debt. Of course, there are other Scottish debt solutions that may help you, such as DAS. All correspondence must be directed to your Insolvency Practitioner instead – no Sheriff Officers, no contact, no stress. You can apply for a statutory moratorium also. Read up on our guide on how to stop sheriff officers in Scotland. For a clean break from your debt problem, get in touch today on 0141 221 0999 or find out if you qualify using our Wizard tool. Our team of friendly and experienced debt advisers, are waiting for your call.

How to Stop Sheriff Officers in Scotland

Posted on by Craig Stocks
Stopping Sheriff Officers in Scotland – Sheriff Officers typically work on behalf of government bodies, most commonly they are used to collect council tax arrears debt and also on behalf of individual creditors. They are often confused with the rest of the UK equivalent, bailiffs. Creditors (the people you owe money to) use threats of Sheriff Officers and bailiffs to frighten individuals into repaying debts, most often through further unaffordable borrowing. The terrifying idea of someone taking all your worldly goods is further intensified by well known TV adverts such as Channel 5’s ‘If you don’t pay, we’ll take it away‘. Stirling Park and Walker Love are two of the most well-known Sheriff Officers and Messenger-at-Arms companies collecting debt in Scotland. If you’ve received a letter or visit from Sheriff Officers about council tax debt, or any other type of personal debt such as defaulted personal loans, don’t panic. In this article, you’ll find basic help on how to deal with all Sheriff Officers, from Walker Love, Stirling Park sheriff officers or any other. Trust Deed Scotland will help you find out what to do if they come to your house and how to stop them from taking your belongings. If you’ve received a letter or visit from Sheriff Officers about council tax debt, or any other type of personal debt such as defaulted personal loans, don’t panic. Sheriff Officers and Messenger-at-Arms are strictly regulated and can only act to the extent that they are allowed to do so, within the Scottish legal system. To try and force entry into an individual’s property in Scotland, they must have the authority to do so. They would have what is known as an Exceptional Attachment Order. Only where they have an exceptional attachment order, will they issue it to you before trying to access your property. Find out what to do if they come to your house and how to stop them from taking your belongings.  

What should you do if Sheriff Officers come to your home?

Don’t let Sheriff Officers in when they come to your door. You’re under no obligation to allow a Sheriff Officer in Scotland to enter your home.  

What can Sheriff Officers in Scotland do?

Sheriff Officers usually only get involved after your local authority or creditor has taken you to court in Scotland. They have the legal power to remove and sell your belongings to pay your debts. If you let Sheriff Officers into your home, they can take:
  • Money
  • Jewellery
  • Luxury items such as televisions and game consoles
  • Items that you own jointly with someone else
  • Vehicles that are owed by you and not covered by hire purchase agreements, or any other outstanding finance.
They can’t take things that you need to use to live, work tools or equipment that don’t amount to more than £1,350 or someone else’s belongings. Proving that items in the house don’t belong to you, can be very difficult without receipts, or proof of ownership.  

What if a Sheriff Officer has already taken your goods?

To get your goods back you will have to:
  • Pay off your debt owed before your goods are sold on by Walker Love, Stirling Park etc
  • Buy your goods back yourself
  • Come to an agreement with your creditor and request that they ask the Sheriff Officer to return your goods back to yourself
You will be able to get your goods back if you can prove the Sheriff Officer did not follow the correct procedure when they took your goods from you. This emphasises why it is important to not let the Sheriff Officer into your home at any point.  

Can Sheriff Officers really take my car?

Just like in the TV programme, ‘If you don’t pay, we’ll take it away’, bailiffs do often take vehicles, as this is the easiest thing for them to seize. The same rules apply in Scotland with Sheriff Officers as it also means that they don’t need access in to your property. They can take your car if it is owned jointly with someone else. If it’s owned independently through a third party, then they will not be able to take it. This will be true if the car is still under a hire purchase agreement. Walker Love Sheriff Officers will also not be able to take your car if you have a blue disabled badge. Nor will any other Sheriff Officer from Stirling Park or anywhere else.  

What other charges can Sheriff Officers add?

There is the possibility that you will be charged additional fees by Sheriff Officers such as:
  • The cost of storing your belongings when they’ve been taken
  • Any court fees that they have had to pay
  • The cost of locksmiths
They will even charge a fee to you for the cost of putting your goods up for auction or a commission on the selling price. You have the legal rights in Scotland to see receipts or evidence for all of these expenses that have been added to your debt. You do need to pay these fees in Scottish law. Once a warrant has been issued by the court, these fees become legally due.  

Making a complaint about Sheriff Officers

If you do believe that a Sheriff Officer has behaved in a manner which brings themselves, their profession or the Court into disrepute, you can still make a complaint. When making a complaint about a Sheriff Officer or a Messenger-at-Arms, you have two options: The first option is to complain to their professional body, which is the Society of Messenger at Arms and Sheriff Officers. The second option, you can also make a complaint to the Court whose authority they were acting upon. In the case of a Sheriff Officer this means the sheriff principal of the local sheriff court. Secondly, in the case of a Messenger-at-Arms, their equivalent is the lord president’s office. In Scotland some creditors employ Sheriff Officers and Messenger-at-Arms as debt collectors. When acting in this lesser capacity of debt collectors, Sheriff Officers have no additional power over those held by other debt collection companies involved in collecting defaulted debts. They are not allowed to remove your property and cannot your arrest wages. They cannot enter your home without your permission. Trust Deed Scotland can give you advice and help on how to set up plans that will put an end to harassment from Sheriff Officers for the long term. Help is available for residents of Scotland and we’re here to get you a fresh start. Find out more about protection from Sheriff Officers and how a Statutory Moratorium (Scotland) may help you by calling us on 0141 221 0999.