How is it best to deal with a Debt recovery company that is sending my friend texts?

Okay, BREATHE. There's basically three sorts of people who collect debts: 1. Debt collectors. These people - to a man - have no idea who their father is. They have no powers; all they can do is call you up or text you constantly to repay. 1. If the debt is in dispute, respond clearly "This debt is in dispute. Please refer it back to your client". Otherwise, say nothing, do nothing. They cannot come to the door and take goods; they can literally ONLY harass. But they're very good at it, and if you get into a conversation they will warp and twist and manipulate every word out of your mouth. Hence, don't engage with them. Engage with the company that the debt is with. 2. County court bailiffs. These guys get paid a salary, so while they do have the power to come to your door and demand money, they're (usually) not too pushy if they don't get it. In any case, if they come to the house, close every window, lock every door and do not let them in under any circumstances - talk to them through the letterbox. 3. High court bailiffs. These are the ones your friend should really be worried about. They get paid when they recover money, and they can be absolute terriers. However, there are limits to what they can do - they can't take a car that's on finance and they can't break in (except in very limited circumstances). Again, lock all doors and windows and do not let them in the house - they're like vampires. Once they've been let in once, they can come and go as they please. 1. Just like debt collectors, they will warp and manipulate to get let into the house. Don't fall for it. If you talk to them at all, make sure you are both outside the property and the door is locked - but even that's dangerous because you have to open the door to get out and if they jam a foot in, that's game over.