Also known as: Lantern; Motormile Finance UK Ltd (formerly)
Lantern is a UK debt purchaser and debt collection company. It specialises in purchasing portfolios of consumer credit debt from banks, credit card companies, payday lenders, and other financial services businesses, and then collecting what is owed.
Lantern tends to focus on higher-risk debt portfolios, including debt from short-term lenders and customers with more complex financial situations. It has been involved in purchasing debt from payday loan companies and other non-standard lenders.
When Lantern buys a debt, it becomes the legal owner. If you receive letters from Lantern, it means a debt you previously had with another company — possibly a payday lender, credit card company, or other lender — has been sold to Lantern. The original company is no longer involved.
Lantern is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and must treat customers fairly, provide clear information about debts, and point customers towards free debt advice. You have the right to request full written details of any debt, including the original lender, the original account number, and a breakdown of the amount claimed.
If you dispute the debt or believe it is incorrect, raise this in writing. If the debt is very old, it may be statute barred. Citizens Advice and National Debtline can help you understand whether this applies to your situation.
If you owe the debt, it may be possible to agree a payment plan or a reduced settlement figure. Free debt advice is available from StepChange on 0800 138 1111, National Debtline on 0808 808 4000, or Citizens Advice.
Quick summary
Always verify this information directly with the company, the FCA Register and Companies House before relying on it.
Free regulated debt advice — start here
If you are struggling with debt, arrears, or feel under pressure to pay, contact a free regulated debt advice service before taking any action. These services are confidential and free to use.
These are general questions that may be relevant to your situation. They are not personalised advice.
Always use contact details from Lantern Debt Recovery Services Limited’s official website ↗ or the FCA Register — not from unexpected letters or messages.
Main products and services
Debt purchase; Consumer debt recovery; Non-performing loan portfolios; Ethical debt resolution
Trading names and group notes
Formerly Motormile Finance UK Limited; rebranded to Lantern in 2018. Registered in England (Leeds). No confirmed group parent.Review scores are third-party public indicators only. They are not proof of FCA compliance, product quality, or suitability for your circumstances.
Trustpilot
5.0
Approx. 7,049 reviews
Other review sources
5-star Trustpilot rating with over 7,000 reviews. Note: Trustpilot flagged potential review solicitation bias. Some negative reviews about home visits and settled debt contact.
Overall public sentiment
Predominantly positive with highest-tier Trustpilot rating. Praised for flexible repayments and customer-first approach. Note: review solicitation bias flag from Trustpilot.
Review sources
Get free qualified debt advice first
Before making any payment decision or agreeing to a plan, speak to a free regulated debt adviser who can review your full situation.
Organise your budget before making any decisions
Before making any payment decisions about a debt, get free qualified debt advice from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Ask Fin can also help you understand your monthly income and outgoings more clearly — but is not a substitute for regulated debt advice. General guidance only.
Explore Ask Fin — £4.99/monthGeneral guidance tools only. Not regulated advice.
Answers are general guidance only. Rules and procedures may change. Always verify with the company or a qualified adviser.
Source URLs used in preparing this record
Date checked
2026-06-05
Next review due
Periodic review
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