Organisations throughout the UK outsource a variety of services to us (debt recovery, credit control, billing management or customer services) - primarily because we are able to improve efficiencies, productivity and performance, yet introduce major cost saving benefits in the process.

Our services are provided with all the professionalism, security and integrity that clients enjoy when they select a Full Member of the CSA - Credit Services Association.

1st Locate are one of the largest people locators or trace collect debt recovery agencies in the U.K. and Europe. UK TEL: 0113-297 7500
We specialise in helping businesses and consumers recover debts that are due to them. Invariably, the person or persons owing the debt may have moved house and require tracing. We are able to undertake the tracing and recoveries in house. Many of the larger Debt Collection Agencies in the UK now use 1st Locate® for tracing and debt recovery purposes. Our other clients include Gas, Electricity and Water Utilities, Banks, Building Societies, Local Government and Solicitors. CLICK HERE to instruct us

We operate from modern Call Centre premises near Leeds City Centre and Scarborough utilising the very latest telephony and computing technology.

Clients instruct 1st Locate across a variety of sectors for debt recovery and tracing purposes:

Low Value debt
Medium Value High Value
gas, electricity, water bills consumer credit Commercial accounts
parking fines, service charges rent arrears Secured lending
Telecoms bills medical High value consumer credit - personal loans
Trade accounts mail order
mail order salary overpayment

When we accept an instruction, we classify it to one of the following types;

Early stage arrears - we provide a full outsourced service and offer a cost effective alternative to inhouse Credit control functions.

Defaulted accounts - prime collections - where the customer is still in residence and the account has not been placed with a third party for debt collection.

Second placement - where a third party debt collection agent has attempted to recover the amount due but has failed.

Trace and collect - where the customer has moved address and an outstanding debt is due. We firstly trace the customer and then commence debt collection activity.

Write off / purchase debt - where the debt has been written off or sold - we can still recover balances due.

1ST LOCATE ® debt purchase


DEBT PURCHASE - purchasing portfolio that others decline!

1st Locate are one of the largest people locators or trace collect agencies in the U.K. We are actively looking to purchase consumer or commercial debt portfolios across Europe (particularly UK, France and Germany). We also undertake debt recovery worldwide, particularly throughout the EU and employ a variety of multi lingual staff.

Unlike many other Debt Purchase companies, we especially want to purchase written off 'goneaway', trace or skip accounts. Our expertise in this sector enables us to purchase accounts that other organisations decline. One of the largest costs to any lender are losses associated with accounts that have 'disappeared'. Our expertise in tracing goneaway is second to none and we are often able to trace the debtor and restore relations with the customer resulting in the resumption of repayments.

Many organisations across Europe have written off considerable sums because of goneaway accounts. Our Debt Purchase service enables you to achieve a one off or staged tiered payment for these accounts. We are able to fund substantial purchases and have no limitations on deal size.

All of our tracing and debt recovery / collection activities are undertaken in full compliance with the relevant legislation and we are full members of the Credit Services Association. We are currently looking to acquire UK or European based lending portfolio that primarily consist of regulated consumer credit agreement 'goneaway' or trace & collect debt. Should you be looking to dispose of this type of debt, please telephone Corporate account services on 0113 297 7500 for further information.

If you have small portfolio or even a single bad debt and you would like us to recover a bad debt on your behalf, CLICK HERE to instruct us. No success No fee!

Prospective Clients with larger volumes of bad debts requiring recovery should CLICK HERE and we will forward you more details and our bulk pricing tariff.

All of our people search and tracing activities are undertaken in full compliance with the relevant legislation and we are full members of the Credit Services Association. Additionally, we hold a comprehensive Data Protection Registration and are Licensed under the Consumer Credit Act by the Office of Fair Trading
1st Locate UK Limited, 3 Leodis Court, Leeds LS11 5JJ

Tel +44 (0) 113 297 7508

1stlocate contact centres - UK call centre solutions v Offshore Solutions?


DEBT COLLECTION. - In addition to becoming one of the UK's leading Trace & Collect specialists, we also offer a professional prime debt collection, 2nd placement and write off recovery service. Our experienced staff and sophisticated technology ensure we are able to consistently produce high returns for our clients yet still maintain a professional & respectful approach with your customers. Our ability to resolve disputes and problems enables us to produce outstanding returns across all types of collection activity.

We supply our products & services to the Gas, Water & Electricity, Banking, Legal, Finance and other industries. Our ability to trace people combined with our approach to resolving problems has ensured we are one of the fastest growing companies in the debt recovery & tracing sector.

We now have a portfolio consisting of major Utility suppliers, Banks, Local Authorities & Finance Companies.

If you have small portfolio or even a single bad debt and you would like us to recover a bad debt on your behalf, CLICK HERE  to instruct us. No success No fee!

Prospective Clients with larger volumes of bad debts requiring recovery should CLICK HERE  and we will forward you more details and our bulk pricing tariff.