Direct Collection Bailiffs LtdReviews 

2,856
TrustScore 3 out of 5

2.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 305 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers found the staff to be professional, friendly, and helpful, providing clear communication and keeping them updated throughout the process. People often praised the service for being efficient, quick, and effective in recovering debts, with some expressing regret for not engaging them sooner. However, some people were dissatisfied with the payment process, reporting issues with incorrect payment plans, arrears despite being up to date, and a lack of information for online payments. There were also complaints about customer service, with some reviewers describing staff as rude, unhelpful, and unresponsive to emails, leading to stress. Additionally, several customers reported receiving demands for payment for fines they had already paid or were unaware of, often due to letters being sent to old addresses.

What people talk about most

Staff

Consumers find staff to be ambiguous, with many reviewers praising individual employees for their... See more

Payment

Users describe negative interactions with payment, often reporting being charged unexpected fees or increased... See more

Service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about service, with many customers praising the professional, efficient,... See more

Customer service

Customers had ambiguous experiences with customer service, with many praising individuals for their... See more

Customer communications

Clients share negative opinions on contact, with many reporting issues such as unresponsiveness to emails and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Has a parking fine ,look back for date , this was paid for actual parking at time , said I put zero instead of o on reg they tracked me to my address , I rang them said this was paid for ! give them... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Criminals, no other word they are criminals. Here’s the reason, they case an alleged car parking fine even though this alleged fine has been paid at the time of parking with ticket and bank statement... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Aweful harass vulnerable adults and kids even if you have an agency supporting with debts due to DV .. they call you at late hours contiguously and all day /night was driving the other day kept Ge... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Force you into a payment plan with false legal advice. Ignore a disabled persons right of advocacy. Payment plan under wrong date and say they've fixed it and haven't. Hang up when you try to explain... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Debt Collection Agency
  2. Bailiff
  3. Debt Collecting

About Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

Written by the company

DCBL is the UK’s leading provider of ethical High Court Enforcement and Debt Recovery services.

Widely recognised from the popular Channel 5 TV series “Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away!”, we provide effective recovery solutions to both SMEs and large corporate clients across the UK.

Backed by a 98% client retention rate, we have successfully recovered in excess of £85 million in the last 12 months.

Our dedicated team delivers a stress-free, 'One Solution' service designed to protect your reputation while securing the money you are owed.

Learn more about our debt recovery and high court enforcement expertise.

Contact info

2.9

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

3K reviews

5-star
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1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 48% of negative reviews

Typically takes over 1 month to reply

How this company uses Trustpilot

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2.9

All reviews

(2,856)

289 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

WASTE OF TIME

WASTE OF TIME! They don't have the power to enforce anything. I have a CCJ against a company that owes me wages. When DCBL attended the address, the debtor opened the door, claimed to be a different company, refused them entry, and said they had no lease documents to provide. DCBL now can't do anything, so basically, unless the debtor is fully cooperative and agrees to pay, there is nothing they can actually do. A complete waste of time and money. I would not recommend them at all.

May 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We’re sorry to hear about your experience with DCBL.
We take all concerns seriously and would like the opportunity to review this matter in detail. Please contact our complaints team at complaints@dcbltd.com, including your reference number, so we can investigate and work towards resolving your concerns as quickly as possible.

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have read several accounts of the…

I have read several accounts of the same thing that I am dealing with paid a car parking fine £60 pounds thought it was all done and had done the right thing, despite this I have DCBL chasing me for £170 sent snap shot of payment and reference number x2 also attached to email all proof it was paid they are still saying I need to show them evidence or pay £170 it is making me very frustrated and vulnerable.

April 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We’re sorry to hear about your experience with DCBL.
We take all concerns seriously and would like the opportunity to review this matter in detail. Please contact our complaints team at complaints@dcbltd.com, including your reference number, so we can investigate and work towards resolving your concerns as quickly as possible.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shameful company

Shameful company
The lowest of the low
Don’t give in to this vermin company

May 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We’re sorry to hear about your experience with DCBL.
We take all concerns seriously and would like the opportunity to review this matter in detail. Please contact our complaints team at complaints@dcbltd.com, including your reference number, so we can investigate and work towards resolving your concerns as quickly as possible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A professional and helpful debt collection service

As a pensioner, currently in poor health, I employed the services of DCBL when a company repeatedly fobbed me off over a substantial refund due for a defective new item returned under the Consumer Rights Act. DCBL have responded promptly and successfully so far. All the personnel I have dealt with have been clear, helpful and wholly professional in the task involved. You get what you pay for.

May 1, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am highly impressed and delighted by…

I am highly impressed and delighted by the professionalism and prompt response demonstrated by the Bailiff team, DCBI. Within a short period of time, they handled assignments efficiently and delivered productive results. Their commitment to due process, excellent communication, and high standards of service is truly commendable.

I highly recommend this efficient and reliable team, and I am proud of the way they carry out their work with integrity and professionalism.

May 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Entered into a payment plan

Entered into a payment plan, 10days later on the 13th received a final reminder notice from them stating I still owed them money. Look at the information you have before sending out these letters.

April 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We are sorry to hear about your concerns.
We have been able to locate your case details and will review the matter accordingly. Once our review is complete, we will provide you with a full response.

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DCBL should be ashamed of themselves

DCBL should be ashamed of themselves, awful company, terrible paralegals who do not reply to e-mails! DCBL were instructed by Smartparking to collect a fine from me just before the point it became statute barred - insisting I owed over £300 for parking at an office where I had a right to park. They sent bullying e-mails, refused to backdown when I told them they'd served court notifications to an address I no longer resided at and flouted GDPR rules.

Will be reporting them and taking legal action, companies like this need regulating properly.

April 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We are sorry to hear about your concerns.
We have been able to locate your case details and will review the matter accordingly. Once our review is complete, we will provide you with a full response.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

a parking charge notice for…

Received a parking charge notice for £170 on the 23rd April 2026
The date of contravention occurred on 30th August 2025 spoke to an adviser who was more bothered about a log book relating to the car as the car had not been updated to dvla
Well forgive me as I had a stressful house move the death of my husband the death of my auntie all in the space of 6 months oh and I also work full time !!!!!
So sorry must of slipped my mind !!!
By the way I did pay for car parking and I also have it on my banking app !!
As for the guy o spoke to I would suggest a course on customer service as yours was despicable !!!!

April 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We are sorry to hear about your concerns.
We have been able to locate your case details and will review the matter accordingly. Once our review is complete, we will provide you with a full response.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

RUDE AS HELL!!!!

What a farce. Rude call centre staff who refuse GDPR requests, refuse to give an email for complaints, lie at least twice during the conversation then when they agree to a payment plan then hang up

April 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We’re sorry to hear about your experience with DCBL.
We take all concerns seriously and would like the opportunity to review this matter in detail. Please contact our complaints team at complaints@dcbltd.com, including your reference number, so we can investigate and work towards resolving your concerns as quickly as possible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Efficient and friendly

We had a business bad debt and this company made it very easy for us to recover it quickly and efficiently. Each member of staff we spoke to were friendly and knowledgeable and talked us through the process. Would highly recommend

April 14, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

So far so good

So far so good.
After filling in a form and being in contact with Michael S, they explained the process and how they handle things. Clearly explained fees I need to pay and other fees are taken care of by debtor.

They’ve found the debtor within a day which was impressive after I lost contact years ago.

They’ve made the process very clear and have updated me every way with obtaining a Writ.

So far, couldn't recommend them more. Service and communication top notch

April 23, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Legally questionable behaviour.

Someone cloned a plate of a car I scrapped 8 years ago and used it to steal fuel. Apparently this makes me liable for this, but when I asked for evidence, DCBL refused. I have now asked 5 times, and they still refuse.
I will be taking this further.

Would give minus stars if I could.

Edit: I forgot to add, I asked 1 week ago (as of this addendum) for a manager from dcb to ring me about the lack of evidence, etc, and they STILL haven't. They have autocalled me and then hung up of course.....

April 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We are sorry to hear about your concerns.
We have been able to locate your case details and will review the matter accordingly. Once our review is complete, we will provide you with a full response.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Had a £170 parking ticket for parking…

Had a £170 parking ticket for parking in an unmarked bay , it was a pick up parking area no red lines or signs saying how long to park for , easy money and won't get a penny , jokers

December 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We are sorry to hear about your concerns.
We have been able to locate your case details and will review the matter accordingly. Once our review is complete, we will provide you with a full response.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

DCBL delivered exactly what they promised

Great experience from start to finish with DCBL. I had a CCJ against an estate agency that had refused to engage throughout a lengthy dispute.

I made an enquiry online one evening, and Mike Sedman called the next morning and clearly explained the process of transferring to a High Court Writ of Control. The whole process was straightforward and professionally handled throughout.

The estate agency refused to engage with DCBL, so they arranged a site visit. When the defendant attempted to claim they had filed a stay application to halt enforcement, the agent correctly pushed back and advised that an application alone does not cease enforcement action. They proceeded to list assets, at which point the defendant paid in full on the spot.
From initial enquiry to full payment, the process was efficient and the communication was excellent.

They were very efficient - it took just over a week from the writ being issued to getting payment.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend DCBL - they did exactly what they said they would do, when they said they would do it.

April 20, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SCAMMERS...

SCAMMERS.... Trying to force me and bully into paying a parking fine for a £170 saying i did not pay parking when I have the proof on my bank statement that I paid for parking, not willing to accept the proof that I have and now way of settling the case other than paying £170 for parking i already paid.

April 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd logo

Reply from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd

We’re sorry to hear about your experience with DCBL.
We take all concerns seriously and would like the opportunity to review this matter in detail. Please contact our complaints team at complaints@dcbltd.com, including your reference number, so we can investigate and work towards resolving your concerns as quickly as possible.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Swift Collection Success

This was so easy from start to finish and very fast.

The team members I dealt with were profession and friendly and the whole process was seamless.

Thank you DCBL

April 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Experience

Great experience from start to finish. The team were friendly, professional, and very easy to deal with. They kept us updated throughout and explained everything clearly. The process was smooth and stress-free, and we are very happy with the outcome. We would definitely recommend their debt recovery services.

April 15, 2026
Unprompted review

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