Receiving a notice about a debt you do not recognise is unsettling, but the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Ignoring contact does not make the account go away — it can lead to escalation.
The first step is to check the details in the letter carefully. The notice will identify the original creditor — the business the debt relates to — and the amount claimed. Do you have any history with that business? Could the amount relate to an invoice you have forgotten, or that was paid in a different way?
If you genuinely do not recognise the debt after checking, raise a dispute. Use the Dispute a Debt form and tell us clearly that you do not recognise the account. Include any information that helps explain your position — for example, if you have never dealt with the named creditor, or if you think there may be a case of mistaken identity.
We will pause recovery activity while the matter is reviewed with the original creditor and respond to you in writing. See also the article on what to do if you think the debt belongs to someone else entirely.
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