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.
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.
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
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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.