When can I use a formal debt dispute letter?

You can use this letter if you dispute the debt, do not recognise it, or want to verify the creditor's legal right to enforce it. It applies to regulated consumer credit agreements like credit cards, personal loans, and hire purchase under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It does not apply to mortgages, business debts, or debts already subject to a court order.

How much does it cost to request a copy of my credit agreement?

Under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you are entitled to request a copy of your credit agreement from the current creditor for a fee of £1. The letter template suggests enclosing a postal order for this amount to create a clear record of payment, rather than sending cash.

Does requesting the agreement mean the debt is cancelled?

While the creditor cannot enforce the agreement and you cannot make any payment, the agreement itself cannot be enforced. However, the debt still exists. The creditor may still register the default on your credit file, and using this tactic if you know the debt is owed may backfire.

What common mistakes should I avoid when sending this letter?

You should avoid sending cash for the fee, as a postal order creates a better record. Do not send payment for the debt at the same time as disputing it, as this may undermine your dispute. Also, ensure you note the date the creditor receives the request, as enforcement is suspended while the request is outstanding.

What specific information should I include in the letter?

The letter should state that you do not admit or recognise the debt and request a copy of the executed credit agreement under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It must include a statement of account showing the total credit provided, amounts paid, current balance, and all charges. It should also note that enforcement is suspended while the request is outstanding.

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Debt

Debt Law

Updated 2026-05-16

Formal Debt Dispute Letter (Request for CCA Agreement)

Letter formally disputing an alleged consumer credit debt and requesting a copy of the credit agreement under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

This template was not drafted by a solicitor.

It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.

When to use this template

Use this letter when you dispute that a debt is owed, you do not recognise the debt, or you wish to verify the creditor's legal entitlement to enforce the debt. Under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you are entitled to request a copy of your credit agreement from the current creditor for a £1 fee. While the creditor cannot enforce the agreement and you cannot make any payment, the agreement cannot be enforced.

When NOT to use this template

This letter applies to regulated consumer credit agreements (credit cards, personal loans, hire purchase) under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It does not apply to mortgages, business debts, or debts that are already subject to a court order. If you are simply trying to delay enforcement rather than genuinely disputing the debt, this approach may backfire. Do not use this as a tactic if you know the debt is owed.

Legal Basis

Consumer Credit Act 1974, s.78 (creditor's duty to supply copy of credit agreement on request — £1 fee payable); s.61 (requirements for a properly executed agreement); s.127 (court's power to refuse enforcement of improperly executed agreements). While a creditor cannot enforce an unenforceable agreement, the debt itself still exists.

Before you send

Sending the £1 fee as cash rather than a postal order — use a postal order to create a record
Sending payment for the debt at the same time as disputing it — this may undermine your dispute
Believing that an unenforceable agreement means the debt is written off — the creditor can still register the default on your credit file

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Sending the £1 fee as cash rather than a postal order — use a postal order to create a record
✗Sending payment for the debt at the same time as disputing it — this may undermine your dispute
✗Believing that an unenforceable agreement means the debt is written off — the creditor can still register the default on your credit file
✗Not noting the date on which the creditor receives the request — enforcement is suspended while the request is outstanding

Build Your Letter

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Your full name*

Your address*

Date of letter*

Creditor or debt collector name*

Creditor's address*

Account or reference number*

Amount claimed by the creditor (£)*

Letter preview

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[CREDITOR OR DEBT COLLECTOR NAME]
[CREDITOR'S ADDRESS]

Your Reference: [ACCOUNT OR REFERENCE NUMBER]

---

Dear Sir or Madam,

**FORMAL DEBT DISPUTE — REQUEST FOR COPY OF CREDIT AGREEMENT**
**Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 78**

I write in response to your recent correspondence claiming that I owe the sum of £[AMOUNT CLAIMED BY THE CREDITOR (£)] in respect of the above-referenced account.

**Dispute**

I do not admit that I owe this debt / I do not recognise this debt [delete as applicable]. I require further information before I am in a position to respond to this claim.

**Request Under Section 78 Consumer Credit Act 1974**

Pursuant to section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I formally request that you provide me with a copy of the executed credit agreement relating to this account, together with a statement of account showing:

1. The total amount of credit provided.
2. The total amount paid to date.
3. The current balance alleged to be outstanding.
4. All charges, interest, and fees applied to the account.

I enclose a postal order for £1.00 in payment of the statutory fee.

**Enforcement Suspended**

Please note that, pursuant to section 78(6) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you are not entitled to enforce this agreement while this request remains outstanding and any such request is not complied with.

**Further Response**

Upon receipt of the requested documentation I will be in a better position to consider whether this debt is owed and to respond substantively to your claim.

**Important Note**

This letter does not constitute an acknowledgement of the debt or any payment obligation. Please do not contact me by telephone — all correspondence should be in writing to the address above.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Enc: Postal order for £1.00

Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.

Related Guides

Official Resources

National Debtline — Dealing with debt letters →StepChange — Debt advice →

Frequently asked questions

When can I use a formal debt dispute letter?: You can use this letter if you dispute the debt, do not recognise it, or want to verify the creditor's legal right to enforce it. It applies to regulated consumer credit agreements like credit cards, personal loans, and hire purchase under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It does not apply to mortgages, business debts, or debts already subject to a court order.
How much does it cost to request a copy of my credit agreement?: Under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you are entitled to request a copy of your credit agreement from the current creditor for a fee of £1. The letter template suggests enclosing a postal order for this amount to create a clear record of payment, rather than sending cash.
Does requesting the agreement mean the debt is cancelled?: While the creditor cannot enforce the agreement and you cannot make any payment, the agreement itself cannot be enforced. However, the debt still exists. The creditor may still register the default on your credit file, and using this tactic if you know the debt is owed may backfire.
What common mistakes should I avoid when sending this letter?: You should avoid sending cash for the fee, as a postal order creates a better record. Do not send payment for the debt at the same time as disputing it, as this may undermine your dispute. Also, ensure you note the date the creditor receives the request, as enforcement is suspended while the request is outstanding.
What specific information should I include in the letter?: The letter should state that you do not admit or recognise the debt and request a copy of the executed credit agreement under section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. It must include a statement of account showing the total credit provided, amounts paid, current balance, and all charges. It should also note that enforcement is suspended while the request is outstanding.