Business invents firm to harass graduates who are behind with repayments

  • Student Loans Company has been accused of using 'Wonga tactics'
  • Fictional firm invented to harass graduates who are behind in repayments
  • Revelation triggers call for police inquiry into use of controversial tactic


The official Student Loans Company has been accused of using ‘Wonga tactics’ to harass thousands of graduates who are behind on their repayments. It has invented a fictional firm – Smith Lawson and Company Recovery Services – which adopts the same threatening language as private debt firms and solicitors to chase payments. The tactic appears similar to an approach taken by the payday lender Wonga, which was last week ordered to pay £2.6million in compensation after sending letters to thousands of customers from made-up debt recovery firms. Both sets of revelations have triggered calls for a police inquiry into what appears to be evidence of mis-representation and harassment. Warnings sent by ‘Smith Lawson and Company’ to graduates for the last nine years carry a banner in red stating ‘Do Not Ignore This Letter’, with a demand for payment within seven days and a threat of legal action.....Read more here