The UK-based collections agency Wescot provides a superb example to other companies when it comes to compliance and treating customers fairly. Wescot was one of the sponsors for the 2013 Money Advice Scotland conference held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Glasgow over the summer. The aim of Money Advice Scotland is to act as an umbrella group for the many companies and independent bodies that offer free, impartial advice for the people of Scotland.

For anyone familiar with the Wescot ethos and business model, the company’s involvement in the Money Advice Scotland conference comes as no surprise. The emphasis of Wescot is very much on treating customers fairly. Wescot recognises the very important work that Money Advice Scotland does in providing impartial advice. Wescot is well aware of the fact that customers ought to be entitled to expert advice in order to help them with their repayment strategies. In turn, this assists both Wescot and its customers in reaching appropriate and fair outcomes.

The way in which Wescot operates demonstrates its customer-focused approach. The company started out in Scotland over 30 years ago. Since then, it has grown considerably. Wescot employs over 650 staff across two offices in Scotland and one in Hull. It provides services for household name companies in the telecom, utilities, banking and retail niches and also for local government. Wescot operates a round the clock service – thanks to a 24-hour virtual call centre. This means that customers have the opportunity to make contact with the company at a time that’s convenient to them – rather than being confined to standard business hours.

The Wescot website is also geared towards providing customers with all possible assistance. It includes a facility enabling customers to make a payment online. Alternatively, customers have the option of making payments by telephone. Other methods of payment include Direct Debit payments, PayPoint outlet payment or else payment by cheque. The website also provides a comprehensive questions and answers page. It sets out very clearly the options open to the customer for discussing and negotiating payment.

Wescot appreciates the importance of ensuring that its representatives are trained to act in a completely professional manner. Wescot also ensures that the data it holds on its customers is as accurate as possible. This is done in partnership with Experian, a global data management company.