Last reviewed: June 2026 · For use in England & Wales · eLitigant is a Community Interest Company (No. 16566612), not a law firm. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file, and sign the statement of truth yourself.
In short
A “prove it” letter asks a debt collector to provide proof you owe the money — the credit agreement and a statement of account — and to pause chasing you while they look into it. If it is a regulated credit debt, you can also use a Consumer Credit Act request (sections 77–78) for a £1 fee, giving them 12 working days to produce the agreement. Under FCA rules a firm must suspend recovery while a debt is reasonably disputed. eLitigant’s Chris drafts this for you — you check, sign and send.
What a “prove it” letter is
A “prove it” letter is a written request to a debt collector or debt purchaser asking them to provide evidence that the debt is genuinely yours before you pay anything or agree to a repayment plan. It is used when a collector contacts you about a debt you do not recognise, are unsure about, or do not believe is yours. Debt collection companies often buy old debts in bulk for a fraction of their value, and the paperwork they hold can be incomplete or relate to the wrong person. The letter typically asks the collector to send you a copy of the original credit agreement and a full statement of account showing the balance, payments, interest and charges. It also puts them on notice that you dispute the debt and asks them to pause collection activity while they investigate. This is information drafting, not legal advice — you decide whether to send it and you sign it yourself.When and why to send one
Send a “prove it” letter when a collector demands money for a debt you genuinely do not recognise or cannot link to anything you remember taking out. It is the right first step before you make any payment, because once you pay or acknowledge a debt in writing you may make it harder to dispute later and could affect limitation periods. The Financial Conduct Authority’s rules support this. Under the FCA’s Consumer Credit sourcebook (CONC 7.14), a firm must suspend the steps it takes to recover a debt where a customer disputes it “on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds”. Where the firm chasing you is a debt purchaser rather than the original lender, CONC 7.14 also makes clear it is for the firm — not you — to establish that you are the correct person and that the amount is right. A clear, polite letter triggers these protections.“Prove it” letter vs a Consumer Credit Act request
These are two related but different tools, and it helps to know which fits your situation:- A “prove it” letter is best when you do not recognise the debt at all. It simply asks the collector to evidence that the debt exists and is yours.
- A Consumer Credit Act request (under sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974) is used for a regulated credit debt you may recognise — for example a credit card, personal loan, store card, catalogue or hire purchase agreement. You pay a statutory £1 fee and the creditor or current owner has 12 working days to provide a copy of the executed agreement and a statement. If they fail to do so, the debt becomes unenforceable through the courts until they comply — meaning they cannot get a county court judgment or enforce against you in the meantime. The debt does not disappear; only court enforcement is paused.
What to include in the letter
- Your name and address, the collector’s reference number, and the date.
- A clear statement that you dispute the debt and do not acknowledge any liability.
- A request for proof: the original credit agreement (or a true copy), a full statement of account, the default notice, and details of any assignment of the debt to the current owner.
- If it is a regulated credit debt, a request under sections 77–78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, enclosing the £1 statutory fee.
- A request that the collector pauses recovery and contact while it investigates, in line with FCA CONC rules.
- A note that you want all further contact in writing, and a request for a reply by a reasonable date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring the letters. Disputing in writing is far stronger than silence, which can lead to a default judgment if the collector goes to court.
- Paying a small amount to make it stop. A payment can be treated as acknowledging the debt and may restart the limitation clock.
- Using a CCA request for a debt it does not cover. Overdrafts, utilities and council tax are not regulated consumer credit, so section 77–78 will not apply.
- Forgetting the £1 fee. A CCA request without the fee may not start the 12-working-day clock.
- Making admissions. Stick to “I dispute this debt and ask you to prove it” rather than explaining your finances.
FAQ
Does the collector have to stop chasing me while I dispute the debt? Under FCA rule CONC 7.14, an authorised firm must suspend recovery steps where you dispute the debt on valid grounds or what may be valid grounds while it investigates. Your letter should ask them to do this. What happens if they cannot produce the credit agreement? For a regulated credit debt, if they do not comply with a section 77–78 request within 12 working days the debt becomes unenforceable in court until they do. The debt still legally exists, but they cannot obtain or enforce a judgment in the meantime. Is this legal advice? No. This is general information and a document-drafting service. eLitigant is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. You decide whether to send the letter, you check it, and you sign and send it yourself. For free tailored debt help, contact National Debtline (0808 808 4000) or Citizens Advice.Free to start · no sign-up · no card. Tell Chris what has happened and see whether we can help before you pay anything. One matter · one case folder · a full day of drafting. If the drafts are not up to the standard you expected, email us within 7 days of paying for a full refund. If money is tight, Help with Fees can remove the court fee entirely, and Citizens Advice is free — we will always tell you when you do not need us.
eLitigant drafts it; you check, sign & send. Not a law firm; information, not advice.
See it done — what Chris drafts for you
A worked example, drafted to a professional standard from your details — ready for you to check, personalise and send. Fictional sample.
14 Larchfield Road
Leeds LS8 2QP Helmsworth Credit Recoveries Ltd
PO Box 4420
Manchester M60 9AA 19 June 2026 Your reference: HCR/8841920
Sent by signed-for post Dear Sir or Madam, Re: Account reference HCR/8841920 — debt disputed; request for proof I write in response to your letters dated 2 June 2026 and 16 June 2026 demanding payment of £1,284.57. I do not recognise this debt and I dispute that I owe this sum or any sum to you. I do not acknowledge any liability, and nothing in this letter should be taken as an admission. Before I can consider this matter further, please provide evidence that this debt is genuinely mine. In particular, please send me: 1. A true copy of the original credit agreement;
2. A full statement of account showing the balance, all payments, interest and charges;
3. A copy of any default notice issued; and
4. Details and evidence of any assignment of this debt to your company, including the date of assignment and the original creditor’s name. If this is a regulated agreement under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, please treat this letter as a request under sections 77 to 78 of that Act. I enclose the statutory fee of £1. I understand you have 12 working days to provide the documents, and that until you do so the agreement is not enforceable through the courts. As the debt is disputed, I ask that you suspend all recovery action while you investigate, in line with the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules (CONC 7.14). As you appear to be a debt purchaser rather than the original creditor, I understand it is for you, and not for me, to establish that I am the correct person and that the amount claimed is accurate. Please confirm in writing that collection is on hold and reply by 10 July 2026. I would be grateful for all further contact in writing only. Yours faithfully, Daniel Okafor
Enc: £1 postal order
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