Can you be arrested for failing to pay your debts?

Q Can you be arrested if you do not attempt to call your creditors back, or are unable to pay your credit card bills now, but plan to later without claiming bankruptcy?

SB

A It all depends on how much you owe and how patient your creditors are. If you have simply ceased contact with those to whom you owe money, they're likely to get a bit anxious. And if your silence has been going on for some time, their patience may have run out - certainly, the longer you continue not to contact them, the less open they will be to any new plan for repayment you might propose.

Arrest is not really on the cards, but your creditors have several other options - they might pass your debt on to a debt collection agency which will employ bailiffs to come round to where you live and seize goods to the value of what you owe. If they fail to recover any goods, you will most likely be sent a summons to appear in court. Alternatively, any creditor to whom you owe ?750 or more could have you declared bankrupt - with horrendous consequences (see my reply to an earlier letter).

You would be in a much better position if you contacted your creditors and explained that you are having payment difficulties - especially if you hope eventually to pay off the debts. Contact the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 for free advice on what to say to your creditors and how to devise a repayment plan.