Complaining to Debt Collectors that you do Not Owe – Letter

Are you trying to tell a debt collector that you don’t owe them money? You’re not alone. We’re here to help. Each month, over 170,000 people visit our website for advice on debt issues. 

In this article, we’ll help you:

•  Understand why a debt collector might be chasing you.
•  Learn how to ask for proof of debt.
•  Discover what counts as proof of debt.
•  Find out what to do after you have sent your ‘prove it’ letter.

We know that dealing with debt can be scary and confusing. So, we’ve also included a ‘prove the debt’ letter template you can use and other letter templates for different debt situations. 

Remember, you’re not alone. We’re here to guide you through each step of the process.

Letter Template

To Whom It May Concern

Regarding Case #: [your case number]* (required)

You have contacted me about the account with the above reference number, which you claim I owe.

I have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to [enter company name]* (required).

I am familiar with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Credit sourcebook which states the following.

“A firm must not ignore or disregard a customer’s claim that a debt has been settled or is disputed and must not continue to make demands for payment without providing clear justification and/or evidence as to why the customer’s claim is not valid.” 7.5.3

“A firm must suspend any steps it takes or its agent takes in the recovery of a debt from a customer where the customer disputes the debt on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds.” 7.14.1

“Where a customer disputes a debt on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds, the firm must investigate the dispute and provide details of the debt to the customer in a timely manner.” 7.14.3

If you do not stop collection activity whilst investigating my dispute, you are breaking FCA rules and guidance.

Also, ignoring claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment is harassment.

Please do not make any further contact about the above accounts unless you can provide evidence of my liability for the debt.

I await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to my local trading standards service and consider informing the FCA of your actions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Downloadable Resource

The download links below take you to a Google document template where you can make a copy or save in any document format you like. Note, you may have to login to your Google account.

Download – Single (for one person)
Download – Joint (for couples)

Why are they chasing me?

When a debt collection agency chases someone for a debt, they use the information available to them to track them down. Two of the most valuable pieces of information are the debtor’s name and their last known address. You might have received a debt payment request because you have the same name as someone who owes money or because you now live at an address where the real debtor once lived. 

In other words, the debt collector is taking a chance. Their threatening letters may scare you into paying straight away, which is what they are hoping for. 

You should also know that debt collection agencies are chasing the debt on behalf of others. Even if you don’t recognise the debt, remember that the debt is owed to another company, and the agency is just doing the admin. You might owe the debt collection agency’s client. 

Whether you definitely don’t owe it or aren’t sure, the response should be the same – ask for proof you owe the debt,

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Fill out the short debt form

How do I ask for evidence?

You should request proof you owe the debt by sending them a “prove it” debt letter. This is a polite letter that tells the debt collection agency you do not acknowledge that you owe the debt, and they must provide proof. This is a legal requirement for a debt to be enforced.

Our prove the debt letter template will make sure you get it right with no issues!

But, what is proof of debt?

You might be wondering what classifies as proof that you owe the debt. If the debt collection agency simply replies by stating you owe an amount to a specific company, this is not proof. 

They must provide you with a true copy of the signed credit agreement or contract that they are claiming you owe a debt on. Without adequate proof, their claims are inadequate, and you don’t have to pay. 

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After you have sent the prove it letter

If they reply with genuine proof that you owe the debt, you should accept this and make arrangements to pay it back. You can typically breakdown debts into manageable monthly repayments. 

If they fail to respond or respond without proof, you can ignore the debt collection agency but retain evidence that they never provided you with proof of the debt in case the matter goes to court. 

You might want to follow up with a creditor harassment warning letter if they don’t leave you alone!