About Advantis Credit
Advantis Credit Limited is a debt collection agency that works from the Minton Hollins Building in Stoke-on-Trent. It has been part of CDER Group since January 2020. Its registered office moved to CDER Group's London office in February 2026. It is authorised by the FCA (FRN 705478) and is a member of the Credit Services Association.
Advantis collects for a wide range of clients. GOV.UK names it as one of the agencies used by HMRC for unpaid tax, by the DVLA for unpaid vehicle tax penalties and by the Official Receiver, and it has collected criminal legal aid contributions for the Legal Aid Agency since February 2025. Its own website also names utility and telecoms clients such as United Utilities, Thames Water, BT and EE.
For most accounts Advantis collects on behalf of the organisation you owe, rather than owning the debt. That means the original creditor still makes the key decisions. A letter from Advantis is a request to pay or get in touch, not a court claim, and you can reply in writing to check or dispute what it says.
Group Structure
CDER Group UK Limited
Parent company that owns more than 75% of Advantis Credit Limited, according to Companies House. CDER Group (formerly JBW Group) bought Advantis in January 2020.
Company number: 09903291
Original creditor (varies per account)
The organisation you owe, such as HMRC, the DVLA, the Official Receiver, the Legal Aid Agency, a water company or a telecoms provider. It usually remains the owner of the debt while Advantis collects.
CDER Group enforcement companies
Advantis is a collection agency. Its sister companies in CDER Group include enforcement agent businesses, which act only with the legal authority to enforce, such as a court order or a statutory power.
What an Advantis Credit Letter Typically Looks Like
- An Advantis Credit letter naming the organisation you owe, with an 8-digit Advantis reference that is separate from the client's own reference.
- For Legal Aid Agency accounts, the MAAT number as the client reference.
- Contact details of the Minton Hollins Building, Shelton Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7RY and 01782 401 100, the address and number Advantis gives on its website.
- Texts and phone calls as well as letters. GOV.UK says the agencies used by HMRC and the DVLA contact people by letter, text, phone or email.
- An invitation to pay online through the Advantis payment portal, by bank transfer quoting the Advantis reference, or by Direct Debit.
- For DVLA accounts, a warning that the vehicle could be clamped, removed and impounded if the penalty is not paid.
Your Rights
Proof of the debt and the creditor
You can ask Advantis in writing to confirm who the original creditor is, what the debt is for and how the amount is made up, and whether Advantis collects for the creditor or owns the debt.
Consumer Credit Act 1974 (sections 77 and 78)
For credit agreements such as loans and credit cards, you can ask for a copy of the agreement under section 77 or 78. While it is not provided, the agreement cannot be enforced. These sections do not apply to tax, fines or utility bills.
Limitation Act 1980 (section 5)
Most consumer debts become statute-barred six years after your last payment or last written acknowledgement. Tax debts and some public sector debts follow different rules.
FCA Consumer Credit sourcebook (CONC 7)
CONC 7.9 bars unreasonable or oppressive contact, and CONC 7.14 requires collection to be suspended while a genuine dispute is investigated.
Complaints
Advantis aims to send a final response to a complaint within 4 weeks (10 working days for water company accounts). Complaints about consumer credit accounts can then go to the Financial Ombudsman Service within 6 months; others go to the relevant ombudsman or the Credit Services Association.
Common Advantis Credit Scenarios
An Advantis letter about an HMRC tax debt
HMRC uses Advantis to collect some unpaid tax. Advantis says HMRC sends three letters before passing an account to it. GOV.UK says HMRC's agencies will never visit your home or workplace. If you think the amount is wrong, write to dispute it and ask for a breakdown; if you owe it but cannot pay in full, ask about a payment plan.
An Advantis letter about a DVLA vehicle tax penalty
The DVLA uses Advantis to collect unpaid vehicle tax fines. GOV.UK says these agencies never visit your home or workplace and contact you by letter, text, phone or email. If you believe the penalty is wrong, for example because the vehicle was taxed, sold or declared off the road, say so in writing with your evidence.
A debt you do not recognise
Ask Advantis in writing to name the original creditor, show the account and the amount, and confirm whether it collects for that creditor or owns the debt. FCA rule CONC 7.14 says collection should be suspended while a genuine dispute is investigated.
A debt that may be statute-barred
Under section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980, most consumer debts become statute-barred six years after your last payment or last written acknowledgement. Different time limits apply to some debts, such as tax. If a consumer debt is old, say so in writing and do not pay or admit it before checking.
Legal Aid Agency contributions
If you received criminal legal aid and owe contributions, Advantis may collect for the Legal Aid Agency, quoting your MAAT number. Contact Advantis on the Legal Aid Agency numbers on its website to discuss the amount or ask for a payment arrangement.
Repeated calls or texts
Under FCA rule CONC 7.9 and section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, collectors must not contact you at unreasonable times or in a way that causes alarm or distress. You can ask in writing for contact by letter only.
Dispute the Debt by Post
Our debt collection dispute letter is written from your answers in the letter builder. Depending on what you tell us, it can say you do not recognise the debt, dispute the amount, or that it is already paid or statute-barred, and it can ask for the Default Notice and Notice of Assignment. Check the finished letter before you pay, then we print it and post it by Royal Mail.
- Disputes the debt and asks them to prove it
- Cites the law that fits your answers
- Gives them 30 days to reply
- Says you will complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if they do not
- Asks for contact in writing only, if you choose
Dispute This Debt
- Guided step by step in the letter builder
- See the finished letter before you pay
- Printed and posted by Royal Mail
- Tracked delivery available
From £2.79, including printing and Royal Mail postage. Nothing to add.