How do I write a debt dispute letter in the UK?

State the collector's reference, say clearly that you dispute the debt and why, request a true copy of the credit agreement, a full statement of account and proof the debt was assigned to them, state that the letter is not an acknowledgement of the debt, and give them 14 days to respond in writing.

Do debt collectors have to prove the debt is mine?

For regulated consumer credit debts, yes — a request under sections 77-79 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 obliges the creditor to supply a copy of the agreement and a statement of account. Until they do, the debt is unenforceable in court.

What is a statute-barred debt?

A debt that is too old for a creditor to sue over: six years since your last payment or written acknowledgement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, five years in Scotland where the debt is extinguished. Making a payment or admitting the debt in writing restarts the clock, so never do either if you think it may be statute-barred.

Can I stop debt collectors phoning me?

Yes. Ask in writing for all contact to be in writing only. Under FCA CONC rules, continuing to call after that request — or calling at unreasonable hours or at your workplace after you have objected — can amount to unfair treatment you can complain about.

Does disputing a debt hurt my credit file?

Disputing does not itself damage your credit file. If the debt is genuinely not yours or is wrong, you can also ask the credit reference agency to add a notice of correction or remove the entry once the collector confirms the error.

What if the collector ignores my dispute letter?

Send a written complaint to the collector, give them eight weeks, then escalate free to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Keep every letter — a documented, ignored dispute is strong evidence if the collector later tries to take court action.

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How to write a debt dispute letter to a debt collector (UK)

If a debt collection agency is chasing you for money you do not recognise, do not owe, or cannot verify, you are entitled to dispute it in writing and ask them to prove it. A debt dispute letter puts the collector on notice, pauses most enforcement while they investigate, and creates the paper trail you need if the matter escalates. This guide explains exactly what to write, which rules to cite, and gives you a free template you can adapt in minutes.

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When you should dispute a debt in writing

Dispute in writing whenever any of these apply: you do not recognise the debt or the original creditor; the amount is wrong or includes fees you never agreed to; the debt belongs to someone else at your address or is the result of identity fraud; you already paid it or settled it; the debt may be statute-barred; or the collector cannot produce an agreement. Never dispute a debt by phone alone — collectors record calls but you have no copy, and a verbal note is worth far less than a dated letter.

Ask for proof: the section 77-79 request

For most UK consumer credit debts (credit cards, loans, catalogue and store accounts) you can send a request under sections 77, 78 or 79 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 asking for a true copy of the credit agreement, a statement of account, and confirmation the debt was properly assigned to the collector. Enclose the £1 statutory fee where one applies. If the creditor cannot supply the agreement, the debt becomes unenforceable in court until they do — they may still ask you to pay, but they cannot lawfully take you to court over it while it is unenforceable.

Statute-barred debts and the six-year rule

Under the Limitation Act 1980, most unsecured consumer debts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland become statute-barred six years after your last payment or written acknowledgement, if no court action was started in that time. In Scotland the period is five years under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 and the debt is extinguished entirely. Crucially, never make a payment or admit the debt in writing when you think it may be statute-barred — that restarts the clock. Say only that you believe the debt is statute-barred and that you require the collector to confirm the date of the last payment.

The rules a collector must follow while your dispute is open

Debt collectors in the UK are regulated by the FCA under the Consumer Credit sourcebook (CONC). CONC 7 requires them to stop pursuing you while a reasonable query about the debt remains unanswered, to not mislead you about their powers, and to treat you fairly if you are in financial difficulty. Bailiffs and 'doorstep collectors' have no right of entry for ordinary consumer debt. If a collector ignores your dispute, keeps calling, or threatens action they cannot take, complain to them in writing, then escalate free to the Financial Ombudsman Service and report the conduct to the FCA.

How to structure the letter

Keep it short, factual and dated: your name and address; the collector's name and their reference number; a clear line stating that you dispute the debt and the reason; a request for a copy of the credit agreement, a full statement of account and proof of assignment; a statement that this letter is not an acknowledgement of the debt; a 14-day deadline for their written reply; and a note that you require all further contact in writing. Send it by recorded delivery or email with a read receipt, and keep a copy of everything.

If you are in the US or Australia

In the United States, send a written dispute within 30 days of the collector's first contact and cite the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §1692g) — the collector must then stop collection until it mails you verification of the debt. In Australia, cite the ACCC and ASIC Debt Collection Guideline and the Australian Consumer Law's prohibition on misleading or harassing conduct, and escalate unresolved complaints free to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. The letter structure below works in all three countries — swap the legislation named in the second paragraph.

Free debt dispute letter template (UK)

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

[Debt Collection Agency Name]
[Agency Address]

Their reference: [reference number]
Alleged original creditor: [creditor name]
Alleged amount: [£ amount]

Dear Sir/Madam,

FORMAL DISPUTE — I DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEBT TO YOUR COMPANY

I write in response to your letter dated [date] regarding the above account. I dispute this alleged debt in full. My reason is: [I do not recognise this debt / the amount is incorrect / this debt was settled on [date] / this debt is not mine / I believe this debt is statute-barred].

Before any further contact is made, I require you to provide the following:
1. A true copy of the original credit agreement under sections 77-79 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (£1 statutory fee enclosed where applicable).
2. A full statement of account showing how the alleged balance was calculated, including all interest and charges.
3. Written proof that this debt was lawfully assigned to you, including a copy of the deed or notice of assignment.
4. The date of the last payment or written acknowledgement made on this account.

Until these documents are supplied, this alleged debt is disputed and, in the case of regulated consumer credit, unenforceable. Under FCA CONC 7 rules I expect all collection activity to be suspended while my query remains unanswered.

This letter is not an acknowledgement of any debt and should not be treated as such. I also require that all further contact with me is made in writing only; please do not telephone me at home or at my place of work.

Please respond in writing within 14 days. If I do not receive a substantive reply, I will make a formal complaint to your firm and escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Conduct Authority.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

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