Creditors Still Contacting You in an IVA? What to Do

Can Creditors Contact Me During an IVA?

Once your IVA is approved, creditors included in it must stop chasing you. If one still gets in touch, pass it to your insolvency practitioner.

Last updated: November 2026

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Things to know about IVAs

An IVA is a formal insolvency procedure. It must be approved by your creditors, stays on your credit file for six years, fees are taken from your payments, and debts are only written off if you complete it. It isn’t right for everyone.

Read the key risks

Creditors must approve it. An IVA only goes ahead if creditors holding at least 75% of the debt that is voted agree. Your proposal can be rejected.
Credit file and public register. An IVA stays on your credit file for six years from the start date and is listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register while it runs. Getting credit will be harder.
Spending restrictions and annual reviews. You live on an agreed budget for the length of the IVA (usually 5–6 years). Your income and spending are reviewed each year, and your payment can go up.
Fees. Fees are taken from your monthly payments, so less of what you pay reaches your creditors. How IVA fees work.
Your home. Under the current IVA Protocol, your home isn’t included in the IVA and you won’t be asked to remortgage. If your share of the equity is £10,000 or more, the IVA usually lasts six years instead of five.
If it fails. If you can’t keep up payments the IVA may fail, you would owe the remaining debt again, and the supervisor may petition for your bankruptcy.
Write-off only on completion. Remaining qualifying unsecured debts are only written off if the IVA is completed successfully. Secured debts, court fines, child maintenance, student loans and some other debts can’t be included.
Other options may suit you better. A debt management plan, DRO or bankruptcy may be more suitable. IVAs are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only; different solutions apply in Scotland.

One of the biggest reliefs of an IVA is that the letters and calls stop. But it’s common to get the odd letter or statement, especially in the first few months.

The short answer

Included creditors can’t take action or demand payment once your IVA is approved.
Interest and charges on included debts are frozen.
Some creditors still send statements. These are often just for information.
If you’re asked to pay, pass the letter to your insolvency practitioner.
A creditor you forgot to include isn’t bound by the IVA. Tell your IP straight away.

Why might a creditor still contact me?

The account was sold to a debt collector, which hasn’t updated its records.
The creditor sends automatic statements, even though no payment is due.
The debt wasn’t included in your IVA.
The contact is about a debt that can’t be included, such as a court fine or student loan.

What should I do?

Don’t ignore it and don’t pay it directly. Send a copy to your insolvency practitioner, who will contact the creditor. You can also reply saying the debt is included in your IVA and giving your IP’s details.

What if a debt was left out?

A creditor that wasn’t included isn’t bound by the IVA. It may be possible to add them. See adding new debts to an IVA.

What about debts that can't go in an IVA?

Priority and excluded debts, such as court fines, student loans and ongoing council tax, still need paying. If you have arrears on these, see what debts can be included in an IVA.

Common questions

Can a creditor take me to court during an IVA?

Not for a debt included in your IVA. Once approved, the IVA binds those creditors.

Does an IVA stop bailiffs?

For debts included in the IVA, yes. See does an IVA stop bailiffs?

Will my creditors still add interest during an IVA?

No. Interest and charges on included debts are frozen once the IVA is approved.

How IVA Advice Online can help

Every situation is different, and an IVA isn’t right for everyone. We can look at your income, spending and debts with you and set out the debt solutions you could qualify for, including options other than an IVA. To talk it through, get in touch.