Use this triage tool when you are holding a letter and are not sure whether to dispute it, ask for evidence, respond to a legal deadline, check bailiff fees or compare wider debt options.
Why the wording matters#
A normal collector letter, a Letter of Claim, a court claim form and a Notice of Enforcement are not the same thing. The safest first step depends on the deadline and the powers behind the letter.
If in doubt, protect the deadline first and get free debt advice. Templates are useful, but they should not delay a court response or enforcement advice.
After the first route#
Once you know what type of letter it is, check whether the debt is genuine, affordable and enforceable. If several debts are unaffordable, compare the full set of options rather than agreeing to the loudest creditor first. SourcesSources checked for this guide