Got a letter from a debt collector?
A debt collector letter comes from a company chasing a debt for the original lender, or from a company that has bought the debt. Debt collectors have no special legal powers. They can't take your belongings or come into your home, and they can only go to court the same way any lender can. You can ask them to prove the debt is yours before you pay anything.
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A debt collector letter comes from a company chasing a debt for the original lender, or from a company that has bought the debt. Debt collectors have no special legal powers. They can't take your belongings or come into your home, and they can only go to court the same way any lender can. You can ask them to prove the debt is yours before you pay anything.
Written by Nathan Deeble, OneLetter founder · How we check this · Last reviewed: September 2026 · Checked against gov.uk · Information only, not legal advice
Debt collector letter: the essentials
- What it is
- A request to pay from a collection agency or a company that bought the debt
- Their powers
- No more than the original lender. They are not bailiffs
- Legal deadline
- None, unless it's a letter before claim (30 days to reply)
- Asking for proof
- For most loans and cards: a copy of the agreement for £1, due within 12 working days
- Old debts
- Usually 6 years with no payment or written admission (England and Wales)
Is this a real debt collector?
Most debt collection agencies and debt buying companies must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and you can look them up for free on the FCA register. A genuine letter names the original lender, gives an account or reference number and says how much they think you owe. If your debt has been sold, you should also have had a letter called a notice of assignment telling you who owns it now. Be wary of a letter with no company details, one that pushes you to pay into a personal bank account, or one that won't tell you what the debt is for.
Debt collector or bailiff: what's the difference?
A debt collector can write, phone and ask you to pay. That's it. They can't enter your home, take your belongings or add enforcement fees. Bailiffs (enforcement agents) are different: for most debts they can only act after a court judgment or a liability order, and they must send a Notice of Enforcement first. Some collection letters mention a 'field agent' or 'doorstep visit'. A doorstep collector is still just a debt collector, and you don't have to let them in.
How do I check the debt is really mine?
Write to the collector and ask them to show you the debt: who the original lender was, the account number, and how they worked out the amount. For credit cards, loans and most other credit agreements you can also ask for a copy of the signed agreement. The law caps the fee at £1 and they should send it within 12 working days. If they can't produce it, they can't take you to court over the debt until they do. If you're disputing the debt for a genuine reason, they should put collection on hold while they look into it.
Is the debt too old to chase?
- England and Wales: most debts like credit cards and loans become 'statute barred' 6 years after the lender could first have gone to court, usually when you first missed payments, as long as you haven't paid anything or admitted the debt in writing since.
- Northern Ireland: the time limit is also 6 years.
- Scotland: most debts are written off completely after 5 years if you haven't paid or acknowledged them.
- A collector can still write to you about a statute barred debt, but they shouldn't pressure you or suggest court action, because a court claim would fail.
If you think your debt might be that old, get free advice before you pay anything or sign anything admitting it.
What debt collectors aren't allowed to do
- Contact you at unreasonable times, or keep contacting you after you have asked for a different method
- Threaten you, or pretend to be bailiffs, the police or a court
- Tell your family, neighbours or employer about your debt
- Add charges that your agreement or the law does not allow
- Ignore it when you tell them you are getting debt advice
You can ask them to contact you in writing only. If they break these rules, complain to the company first. If you're not happy with the answer, or they haven't replied within 8 weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.
The letter to act on quickly: a letter before claim
If your letter is called a 'Letter of Claim' or 'letter before action' and comes with a Reply Form and an information sheet, it's the step before a county court claim. Under the court rules you have 30 days to reply. Use the Reply Form to say whether you agree you owe it, want more information, or are getting advice. Replying on time gives you the chance to sort out an affordable plan before it reaches court.
What happens if you ignore it?
Ignoring a debt collector usually means more letters and calls. If the debt is real and not too old, the owner can decide to go to court, which starts with a letter before claim and then a county court claim form. A claim form has strict deadlines, and missing them can lead to a County Court Judgment (CCJ). Checking the debt now, and replying in writing, keeps you in control and costs nothing.
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See what your letter means, freeFrequently asked questions
Do I have to pay a debt collector?
Only if you really owe the debt and it isn't too old to chase. Ask them to prove it first. If you do owe it, you can offer an affordable amount based on your budget, and a free debt adviser can do this for you.
Can a debt collector come to my house?
They can knock, but you don't have to open the door or let them in, and they can't take anything. Only enforcement agents acting on a court judgment or liability order can take control of goods.
Can a debt collector take me to court?
If they own the debt, or act for whoever does, they can start a county court claim like any lender, but they must send a letter before claim first. They can't win a claim for a debt that's statute barred.
The collector is asking for more than I borrowed. Is that allowed?
Only charges allowed by your original agreement or by law can be added. Ask for a full breakdown of the amount. If something doesn't add up, dispute it in writing.
Official sources & free help
For the full detail, and free, independent advice, see: