Debt Collector Dispute & Stop-Contact Letter

What this document does

• A formal notice that demands written proof of the debt before any further contact, restricts how and when they may contact you, asserts the limitation defence where it applies and puts them on notice under the ACCC/ASIC Debt Collection Guideline.
• Records the facts that matter on paper: debt collector (and principal, if known), original creditor, amount claimed and reference, date the debt first became overdue or went into default, date of last payment or written acknowledgment.
• Puts them on formal notice, demands the conduct stop and reserves your rights if it continues.
• Cites the right Act, regulator and tribunal for your state — all eight states and territories covered.
• You review the draft first; we only send it to the other party on your say-so.

What we'll ask you

Plain-English questions, one at a time. No legal knowledge needed — if you don't know an answer exactly, your best estimate is fine.

1. Who is contacting you? The debt collector's name exactly as it appears on their letter, text or caller ID.
2. Tell me what's going on — when they first contacted you and what you've said to them so far. (What they say you owe, and what is wrong with it, come in the next questions.)
3. Have you been served court or tribunal papers about this debt (a statement of claim, claim, summons or application), or is there already a judgment?
4. What do they say the debt is? The original creditor (the company you supposedly owed), the amount they're claiming, and any account or reference number on their letters.
5. When did the debt first become overdue, or go into default? A statement, letter or credit report may show it. Say 'not sure' if you cannot tell.
6. When did you last make a payment on this debt, or last admit in writing that you owed it? If never, say so.
7. When you took on the account, did you live in the state or territory you live in now?
8. What's wrong with it? Tell me which of these fit, and add a line: not my debt / identity theft; wrong amount; already paid or settled; goods or service never provided; the account was cancelled; too old to enforce; I don't recognise it at all.
9. How have they been contacting you — calls, texts, emails, letters, visits? How often, at what times, and have they contacted your workplace, family or friends, or made threats (court, credit listing, police, 'sheriff')?
10. What postal address should they use to write to you?optional
11. What postal address is on the collector's letter?optional
12. Do you have the collector's email address (it's usually on their letter)? Once you approve the notice we can send it straight to them.optional
13. The state or territory the matter is in — so the document cites the right Act, regulator and tribunal.
14. Your name and email — so the draft lands in your dashboard and inbox.