Debt collector letter: your rights and next steps

What this kind of letter means

A debt collector wants £612.33 for an old phone bill last paid in August 2019. In England and Wales, debts with no payment or written acknowledgement for 6 years are usually too old to be enforced in court, so this may be one of them.

Under the Limitation Act 1980, most unsecured debts in England and Wales become statute-barred 6 years after the default or the last payment or written acknowledgement. An earlier court judgment means the time limit doesn't apply. In Scotland, the debt is usually wiped out entirely after 5 years. If nothing has been paid or acknowledged since August 2019, this one may be. A statute-barred debt still exists, but the collector can't win a court claim for it. Be careful: making a payment or admitting the debt in writing can restart the clock. You can also ask them to prove the debt.

Things worth checking

• The last payment was in 2019, over 6 years ago. Paying anything now could restart the clock.
• 'Could affect your credit file': defaults drop off credit files after 6 years.
• Ask who owns the debt now and for a copy of the original account.

Your options

• Get free debt advice first. StepChange and National Debtline are free and can check whether the debt is really statute-barred.
• Ask for proof. People often request the original agreement and a statement of account before anything else.
• Statute-barred letter. If an adviser confirms nothing was paid or acknowledged for 6 years, this letter says so. A draft is below.

If you ignore it

They'll keep writing and may threaten action. If the debt is statute-barred, a court claim should fail, but you must still respond to any court papers.

What usually decides this

It may be statute-barred if nothing has been paid or acknowledged since August 2019 and there was no earlier court judgment. A free debt adviser can confirm. Paying, or admitting the debt in writing, can restart the clock.

The rules

• Most debts become 'statute-barred' 6 years after the last payment or written acknowledgement, if no court judgment was made. Paying anything or admitting the debt in writing can restart the clock.
  England, Wales. Source: Limitation Act 1980, section 5
• In Scotland most debts are wiped out (prescribed) after 5 years with no payment or acknowledgement.
  Scotland. Source: Citizens Advice Scotland
• Breathing Space gives you up to 60 days' protection from interest, charges and most enforcement while you get debt advice. A debt adviser applies for you.
  England, Wales. Source: GOV.UK: Debt respite scheme (Breathing Space) guidance

Rules last checked 13 November 2026.

Words you might see

• Statute-barred: A debt that's too old to chase through the courts.
• Original creditor: The company you first owed money to.

An example reply

From our worked example. Letter Clear writes one for your own letter, in your name.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your reference: LDS-889204

Thank you for your letter of 12 November 2026. Before I can respond, please send me a copy of the original agreement with Northern Mobile Ltd, a full statement of the account, and confirmation that you have the right to collect this debt.

This letter is not an acknowledgement that I owe the debt.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]

Have a letter like this?

Take a photo or paste the text. Letter Clear tells you what it means, your deadline, and writes a reply you can check and send. Your first letter each month is free.