Received a letter from Opos? They’re a Scottish debt collection agency based in Dumbarton — not bailiffs. They can’t enter your home or take your belongings.
And if you’re in Scotland, the rules on how long they can chase you are very different to England — and in your favour.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Answers#
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can Opos force entry to your home? | No — they’re debt collectors, not bailiffs or Sheriff Officers |
| Are they legitimate? | Yes — FCA authorised (FRN 693817), CSA member since 2009 |
| Can you ignore them? | Not recommended — but check the age of the debt first |
| Is your debt statute-barred? | 5 years in Scotland (debt is DESTROYED), 6 years in England/Wales |
| Can an IVA stop them? | Yes — or a Trust Deed if you’re in Scotland |
What You’ll Find on This Page#
- Who are Opos?
- Why is Opos contacting you?
- Can Opos send bailiffs or force entry?
- Is your Opos debt statute-barred? Scotland vs England
- The Opos “fishing trip” — are they even sure it’s your debt?
- What to do if Opos contacts you
- How to stop Opos — if you live in Scotland
- How to stop Opos — if you live in England or Wales
- Council tax debt and Opos
- Settlement offers from Opos
- Who owns Opos?
- How to complain
- Reviews and reputation
- Contact Opos
- FAQs
Who are Opos?#
Opos is a debt collection agency based in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. They collect unpaid debts for utilities, telecoms, banks, and councils — or they buy old debts outright and chase them for profit.
Key facts:
- Company number: SC338837 (incorporated March 2008)
- FCA authorised: FRN 693817
- CSA member: No. 685 (since September 2009)
- Owned by: Scott Craig Dawson (sole PSC with 75%+ shares since inception)
- Holding company: Opos Group Ltd (SC613558, created November 2018)
- Clients include: ScottishPower, OVO Energy, Vodafone, EE, MBNA, Very Group (Littlewoods/Grattans), West Dunbartonshire Council
- Founding member of the Scottish Compliance Forum
They operate two ways: collecting on commission for creditors who still own the debt, or buying debt portfolios at pennies per pound and chasing for full repayment.
Why is Opos Contacting You?#
Opos contacts you for one of two reasons:
1. They bought your debt
Lenders and utilities sell old accounts they’ve given up chasing. Opos buys these portfolios cheaply — often telecoms debts of £50-£300 that aren’t worth the original company’s time.
Once purchased, Opos owns the debt and can decide the recovery strategy.
2. They’re collecting on commission
Some companies (like ScottishPower, OVO Energy, or West Dunbartonshire Council) hire Opos to chase debts they still own. In this case, Opos gets paid a commission on what they recover.
Common debts they chase:
- Energy bills (ScottishPower, OVO)
- Telecoms (Vodafone, EE/Orange legacy contracts)
- Store cards (Very Group/Littlewoods/Grattans)
- Credit cards (MBNA)
- Council tax (West Dunbartonshire and other Scottish councils)
- Personal loans
- Catalogue debt
The “Fishing Trip” Explained#
If you get a vague letter from Opos asking you to call and “verify your identity,” they may not even be sure you’re the right person.
Opos is known for sending bulk letters to people who match a name and postcode in their database. The letter deliberately doesn’t say what the debt is for.
Purpose:
- Get legitimate debtors to self-identify by calling
- Get wrong people to hand over their personal details
Don’t call and give them your information until you’ve read the rest of this page. See the section on The Opos “fishing trip” below.
Can Opos Send Bailiffs or Force Entry?#
No. Absolutely not.
Opos is a debt collection agency, not a bailiff firm or Sheriff Officer practice. They have no enforcement powers.
If they send someone to your door, that person is a private citizen. They have no more legal authority than a door-to-door salesman.
What Opos field agents CAN’T do:
- Force entry to your home
- Enter without your permission
- Seize your belongings
- Clamp your car
- Threaten you with asset seizure
- Stay on your property if you ask them to leave
- Speak to your neighbours about your debt
What you CAN do:
- Refuse to open the door
- Ask them to leave (they must comply immediately)
- Request letter-only contact to stop all visits and calls
- Report them to the FCA if they overstep
Opos vs Bailiffs vs Sheriff Officers — The Difference#
The enforcement system is different in Scotland and England.
Opos (Debt Collection Agency):
- Debt collection agency
- No right to enter your home
- Can’t seize belongings
- Must leave if asked
- Regulated by FCA
- Can only negotiate payment
Bailiffs (England/Wales):
- Enforcement agent with court powers
- Can enter in specific circumstances (with warrant)
- Can seize and sell assets
- Don’t have to leave (if they have valid warrant)
- Regulated by Ministry of Justice
- Can enforce court judgments
Sheriff Officers (Scotland):
- Officer of the court with statutory powers
- Can enter in exceptional circumstances only
- Primarily use wage/bank arrestments
- Limited entry powers
- Regulated by Society of Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers
- Can enforce Summary Warrants and court orders
The only route to bailiffs/Sheriff Officers:
- You owe a debt
- Opos (or the creditor) takes you to court
- They get a County Court Judgment (England) or court decree (Scotland)
- You don’t pay it
- The creditor applies for enforcement
- Then bailiffs (England) or Sheriff Officers (Scotland) get involved
Opos themselves can’t do any of this. They’re the “soft” layer. Enforcement is a separate stage.
Is Your Opos Debt Statute-Barred? Scotland vs England — The Critical Difference#
This is the key section if you’re in Scotland.
The rules on old debts are fundamentally different between Scotland and the rest of the UK — and Scottish law is more favourable to you.
Scotland (5 Years): Your Debt is EXTINGUISHED#
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, most consumer debts are extinguished after 5 years.
“Extinguished” means the debt ceases to exist entirely. It’s not just unenforceable — it’s gone.
This applies to:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Utility bills
- Telecoms bills
- Catalogue debt
- Store cards
The 5-year clock starts when:
- You last made a payment, OR
- You last acknowledged the debt in writing
If your debt is extinguished:
- Opos has no legal right to even ask for payment
- You have no obligation to pay
- Making a payment towards an extinguished debt does NOT revive it (this is different to England)
Exception — Council tax: Has a 20-year prescription period in Scotland. This is why Opos can chase council tax from 10-15 years ago but NOT a credit card from 6 years ago.
England and Wales (6 Years): Your Debt is Unenforceable But Still Exists#
Under the Limitation Act 1980, debts become “statute-barred” after 6 years.
But statute-barred in England is different:
- The debt still technically exists
- Opos can’t use the courts to enforce it
- They can still ask you to pay
- WARNING: Making any payment or acknowledging the debt in writing restarts the 6-year clock
The 2018 Reform (Fully Implemented February 2025)#
The Prescription (Scotland) Act 2018 made the rules even more favourable for Scottish debtors.
Key change: Burden of proof shifted to Opos
Under Section 14, if there’s any doubt about whether a debt has prescribed, it’s presumed extinguished unless Opos proves otherwise.
They must show:
- Complete records of every payment you made
- Every written acknowledgment of the debt
- Exact dates to prove the 5-year period hasn’t passed
For old purchased debts — which is Opos’s bread and butter — they often can’t produce this evidence. The original creditor’s records may be incomplete, or Opos never received the full file when they bought the portfolio.
If Opos can’t prove the debt hasn’t prescribed, it’s legally dead.
How to Check If Your Debt Has Prescribed/Is Statute-Barred#
Look at:
- When you last made a payment
- When you last wrote to the creditor about the debt (emails count)
- Bank statements, old letters, emails
Scotland: If it’s been over 5 years with no payment or written acknowledgment, your debt is extinguished.
England/Wales: If it’s been over 6 years with no payment or written acknowledgment, your debt is statute-barred.
If your debt has prescribed or is statute-barred:
Write to Opos and tell them. Reference the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 (if you’re in Scotland) or the Limitation Act 1980 (if you’re in England/Wales).
Ask them to:
- Confirm the debt is prescribed/statute-barred
- Stop all collection activity
- Remove any default from your credit file (if applicable)
Send by recorded delivery and keep a copy.
The Opos “Fishing Trip” — Are They Even Sure It’s Your Debt?#
Opos is known for a controversial tactic called the “fishing trip.”
How it works:
They send bulk letters to people who match a name and postcode in their database. The letters are deliberately vague:
“Dear [Your Name], We’re writing about your account. Please contact us on [number] to verify your identity and discuss this matter.”
No mention of:
- What the debt is for
- How much you supposedly owe
- Who the original creditor was
Why they do this:
- If you’re the debtor: You’ll call, give them your details, and confirm it’s the right person
- If you’re NOT the debtor: You’ll call, give them your current details (trying to prove you’re not the person they want), and they update their database for free
Either way, they get information.
What to Do If You Get a Vague Letter#
DON’T:
- Call the number and give personal details
- Confirm your address or date of birth
- Acknowledge any debt
DO:
- Send a “prove it” letter instead (see below)
- Keep a copy of their vague letter as evidence
- Report them to the CSA or FCA if they’re harassing the wrong person
The “Prove It” Letter (FCA CONC 7.14.1R)#
Under FCA rules, if you dispute a debt, Opos must suspend collection until they provide evidence.
Write to them:
“I dispute this debt. Under FCA CONC 7.14.1R, you must provide: - A copy of the original credit agreement - Proof that the debt has been assigned to you (if purchased) - A full breakdown of the amount owed - Evidence that the debt hasn’t prescribed (Scotland) or become statute-barred (England/Wales)
Until you provide this, you must stop all collection activity.”
Send by recorded delivery to: 2nd Floor, 15 Meadowbank Street, Dumbarton, G82 1JR
If they can’t produce the documents (common for old purchased debts), they often close the account and return it to the client.
What to Do If Opos Contacts You#
Step 1: Don’t panic
They’re not bailiffs or Sheriff Officers. They can’t force entry or take anything.
Step 2: Check the letter — is it vague?
If the letter doesn’t say what the debt is for or how much you owe, it’s likely a “fishing trip.” Don’t call.
Step 3: Work out WHERE you live
Scotland and England have different rules and different debt solutions. This matters.
Step 4: Check the age of the debt
- Scotland: 5 years = debt is extinguished (except council tax: 20 years)
- England/Wales: 6 years = debt is statute-barred
Step 5: If the debt isn’t yours or you don’t recognise it, send a “prove it” letter
Force Opos to provide evidence before engaging further.
Step 6: If you owe it, negotiate
For purchased debt, Opos paid pennies per pound. They’ll usually accept less than the full amount.
Step 7: If the settlement offer seems generous (50%+ off), they probably own the debt and it’s nearing its limit
More on this in Settlement offers from Opos.
Step 8: Consider a formal debt solution
See the sections below for Scotland vs England options.
How to Stop Opos — If You Live in SCOTLAND#
Scottish debt solutions are different to England and Wales — and in some ways, better.
Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)#
Government-backed scheme. Freezes all interest and charges.
Once your Debt Payment Programme (DPP) is approved:
- Opos is legally barred from any contact or enforcement
- You make one affordable monthly payment
- Debt is repaid over time with no added interest
How to apply: Through an approved money advisor (like StepChange or Citizens Advice Scotland). It’s free.
Eligibility: You must live or work in Scotland.
More info: mygov.scot/debt-arrangement-scheme
Protected Trust Deed#
The Scottish equivalent of an IVA.
Key details:
- Lasts 4 years (shorter than an IVA’s 5-6 years)
- You pay what you can afford
- Remainder is written off
- Must be approved by majority of creditors
Once protected:
- Opos must stop all collection
- Interest and charges freeze
- You make one monthly payment to your trustee
Eligibility: Debts of £5,000+, regular income, live in Scotland.
More info: Accountant in Bankruptcy - Trust Deeds
Minimal Asset Process (MAP)#
Simplified bankruptcy for low-income debtors.
Key details:
- Debts wiped after 6 months
- For people with low income and few assets
- Costs £90 (can be waived in hardship cases)
Eligibility:
- Debts under £25,000
- Assets worth less than £2,000
- Disposable income less than £75 per month
- Not a homeowner
More info: Accountant in Bankruptcy - MAP
Scottish Moratorium#
6 months’ protection from all creditors — much stronger than England’s 60-day Breathing Space.
Apply through the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB).
What it does:
- Opos must pause ALL collection activity
- No calls, letters, visits, or legal action
- Gives you time to arrange DAS, Trust Deed, or MAP
- Protects against all “diligence” (Scottish enforcement)
How to apply: Through a qualified money advisor or directly to AiB.
More info: mygov.scot/debt-moratorium
How to Stop Opos — If You Live in England or Wales#
IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement)#
Legally binding agreement to pay what you can afford for 5-6 years. Rest is written off.
How it stops Opos:
- You apply through an insolvency practitioner
- Creditors (including Opos) vote on the proposal
- If 75% (by debt value) approve, it’s binding on ALL creditors
- Opos must stop all contact
- Interest and charges freeze immediately
Why Opos often accepts:
As a debt purchaser who paid pennies per pound, even a low pence-in-the-pound IVA return is profitable for them.
Eligibility:
- £6,000+ total unsecured debt
- Regular income
- Able to afford at least £90-100 per month
Use our IVA calculator to see if you qualify.
Breathing Space#
60 days’ protection while you arrange a solution.
What it does:
- Opos must pause all collection
- No calls, letters, visits, or legal action
- Interest and charges freeze
How to apply: Through an authorised debt advisor (like Citizens Advice or StepChange). It’s free.
Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space: Lasts as long as your treatment plus 30 days.
More info: Breathing Space on GOV.UK
Debt Relief Order (DRO)#
For debts under £30,000 with low income and few assets.
Key details:
- Debts written off after 12 months
- Costs £90
- Must meet strict eligibility criteria
More info: GOV.UK - Debt Relief Orders
Council Tax Debt and Opos — Different Rules Apply#
Opos collects council tax for local authorities including West Dunbartonshire Council.
Council tax is NOT a normal consumer debt — different enforcement rules apply.
Scotland#
How it works:
- Councils get a Summary Warrant from the Sheriff Court
- Can then use diligence — wage arrestments (deducting from salary) or bank arrestments (freezing bank accounts)
- 20-year prescription period (not 5 years)
Opos’s role:
- They collect and negotiate payment plans
- They can’t enforce themselves — councils use Sheriff Officers for diligence
Can council tax be included in a debt solution?
- Trust Deed: Yes
- DAS: Yes
- MAP: Yes (if under £25,000 total debt limit)
England and Wales#
How it works:
- Councils get a Liability Order from the magistrates’ court
- Can then use enforcement agents (bailiffs) to seize goods
- 6-year limitation period
Opos’s role:
- They collect and negotiate
- They can’t enforce — councils instruct bailiffs
Can council tax be included in a debt solution?
- IVA: Generally NO (priority debt)
- Breathing Space: Yes (temporarily)
Settlement Offers from Opos — What They Really Mean#
If Opos sends you a settlement offer with a significant discount (50%+ off, or “pay £X to clear the balance”), this tells you something.
What a High-Discount Offer Means#
1. They own the debt (purchased portfolio)
Original creditors rarely offer huge discounts. If Opos is offering 50-70% off, they almost certainly bought the debt for pennies per pound. Even at 50% off, they’re making massive profit.
2. The debt may be approaching its prescriptive/limitation deadline
High-discount offers often appear when the debt is nearing:
- 5 years old (Scotland)
- 6 years old (England/Wales)
They’d rather get something than nothing before the clock runs out.
How to Negotiate#
DON’T accept the first offer.
Opos paid 2-10p per £1 for purchased debt. Their opening offer of “50% off” still leaves plenty of room.
DO:
- Start lower — offer 20-30% if you can afford it
- Ask for proof the debt is still valid (not prescribed/statute-barred)
- Get any agreement in writing BEFORE paying
- Check the debt isn’t already prescribed — if it is, you owe nothing
Always get written confirmation that:
- The settlement clears the full balance
- No further money is owed
- Any default will be marked “settled” on your credit file
Who Owns Opos? Scott Dawson’s Operation#
Opos was founded and is solely owned by Scott Craig Dawson (born September 1977).
He’s been director since incorporation (4 March 2008) and is the sole Person with Significant Control (PSC) with 75%+ shares. In November 2018, he created Opos Group Ltd (SC613558) as a holding company.
Opos has received £150,000 in Scottish Enterprise grants:
- £60,000 RSA grant in April 2016
- £90,000 RSA grant in January 2018
These are public funds for job creation in economically deprived areas. Opos is viewed as a key employer in West Dunbartonshire.
Founding member of the Scottish Compliance Forum — positions them as experts on interpreting UK-wide FCA regulations within Scottish law.
How to Complain About Opos#
Step 1: Complain to Opos directly
Write to: Opos Limited Complaints Department 2nd Floor, 15 Meadowbank Street Dumbarton G82 1JR
Include:
- Your reference number (from their letters)
- Full details of your complaint
- Dates and times of incidents
- Copies of letters or evidence
They should respond within 8 weeks.
Step 2: Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service
If you’re not satisfied:
- Website: financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
The FOS is free and independent.
Step 3: Report to the Credit Services Association
Opos is a CSA member (No. 685). The CSA can investigate breaches of their code of practice.
- Website: csa-uk.com
Step 4: Report data protection breaches to the ICO
If Opos has:
- Sent letters to the wrong person repeatedly
- Spoken to neighbours about your debt
- Shared your data without permission
Report to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
- Website: ico.org.uk
- Phone: 0303 123 1113
Include Opos’s FCA reference: 693817
Opos Reviews and Reputation#
Opos has a Trustpilot rating of 4.1 stars — unusually high for a debt collector.
Positive feedback:
- Specific staff members (John, Christian, Samantha) praised for empathy and understanding
- Willing to set up affordable payment plans
- Helpful when customers engage
Negative feedback:
- AI-driven automated systems make it hard to reach a human
- Aggressive identity verification — they won’t tell you what the debt is until you provide personal details
- “Fishing trip” letters to wrong people cause distress
- Difficulty getting through to an actual person
Not a scam:
Opos is a legitimate, FCA-authorised agency. But the vague letters and automated systems cause confusion, and people often assume it’s a scam when they don’t recognise the debt or get contacted by mistake.
Contact Opos#
Address: Opos Limited 2nd Floor 15 Meadowbank Street Dumbarton G82 1JR
Phone: Check your letter for the correct number (it varies by account)
Website: Check your letter for online portal details
To request letter-only contact:
Write to the Dumbarton address and ask them to stop all phone calls and doorstep visits. They must comply under FCA rules.
FCA registration: Firm Reference Number: 693817 Check the FCA register
CSA membership: Membership No. 685
If you’re struggling with debt and want to find out what options are available, use our free IVA calculator to see how much you could write off.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Who are Opos?#
Opos is a debt collection agency based in Dumbarton, Scotland. They collect unpaid debts for utilities (ScottishPower, OVO Energy), telecoms (Vodafone, EE), banks (MBNA), retail (Very Group), and councils (West Dunbartonshire). They also buy old debt portfolios. They’re owned by Scott Craig Dawson and have been operating since 2008.
Is Opos legitimate or a scam?#
Opos is legitimate. They’re authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA reference: 693817) and have been members of the Credit Services Association since 2009 (membership no. 685). They’re not a scam, but their vague letters and automated systems cause confusion.
Can Opos send bailiffs to my home?#
No. Opos are debt collectors, not bailiffs or Sheriff Officers. They have no power to force entry, seize belongings, or clamp your car. In Scotland, they can’t even instruct Sheriff Officers — only the court or council can do that after getting a decree or Summary Warrant. Any enforcement is a separate stage involving actual bailiffs (England) or Sheriff Officers (Scotland), not Opos.
Is my Opos debt statute-barred?#
Scotland: If it’s been 5 years since you last made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing, it’s extinguished (destroyed). Exception: council tax has a 20-year prescription. England/Wales: If it’s been 6 years since you last made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing, it’s statute-barred (unenforceable but still technically exists). WARNING: Any payment restarts the clock in England.
Can a debt be extinguished in Scotland?#
Yes. Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, most consumer debts (credit cards, loans, utilities, telecoms) are extinguished after 5 years. “Extinguished” means the debt ceases to exist entirely. Opos has no right to even ask for payment. The 2018 reform (live February 2025) shifted the burden of proof to Opos — if there’s any doubt, the debt is presumed extinguished unless they prove otherwise.
Can an IVA or Trust Deed stop Opos?#
Yes. In England/Wales, an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) stops all collection. In Scotland, a Protected Trust Deed does the same thing but lasts 4 years instead of 5-6. Both legally bind creditors once approved. Opos must stop all contact, and interest/charges freeze immediately. You can also use a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) in Scotland for full protection.
Why did Opos send me a letter about a debt I don’t recognise?#
This could be the “fishing trip” tactic. Opos sends bulk letters to people matching a name and postcode in their database. The letter is deliberately vague to get you to call and confirm details. If you don’t recognise the debt, DON’T call. Send a “prove it” letter instead (see above). Under FCA rules, they must suspend collection until they provide evidence.
Can I ignore Opos?#
Not recommended. For valid debts, ignoring Opos can lead to court action (County Court Judgment or Scottish court decree). But you should check the age of the debt first — if it’s prescribed (Scotland: 5 years) or statute-barred (England: 6 years), you can tell them to stop. If you don’t recognise it, send a “prove it” letter.
Does Opos collect council tax?#
Yes. Opos collects council tax for West Dunbartonshire Council and other Scottish local authorities. Council tax has different rules: 20-year prescription in Scotland (not 5 years), and it CAN be included in a Trust Deed or DAS. In England, council tax has a 6-year limitation but generally can’t be included in an IVA.
Can I negotiate a settlement with Opos?#
Yes. For purchased debt, Opos paid pennies per pound and will usually accept less than the full amount. If they offer 50%+ off, they own the debt and it’s likely nearing its prescriptive/limitation deadline. Start lower (20-30%), get any agreement in writing before paying, and always check the debt isn’t already prescribed/statute-barred — if it is, you owe nothing.
Need help with Opos or Scottish debt? If you’re in Scotland and have multiple debts, a Protected Trust Deed might write off a large portion. If you’re in England/Wales, use our IVA calculator to see if you qualify. Takes 2 minutes.