Instructions to user:
Step 1: Read our fact sheet
Before using this letter you should read our fact sheet on Recovery of Old Debts. This applies to NSW only.
- If you are unsure when you last paid or acknowledged the debt you should call 1800 007 007 and get advice before using this letter.
WARNING: if you have received a statement of claim (or other court papers) you should get urgent advice by calling 1800 007 007. In some cases you may be able to lodge an urgent dispute with the debt collector or creditor’s free external dispute resolution service.
- If after you have sent this letter the information you are asking for is not provided or the harassment continues, you should complain to the ombudsman. Call 1800 007 007 for advice.
If you have any questions about how or when to use this letter or if you need advice before completing it, please call our Credit & Debt Legal Advice line on 1800 844 949 for legal advice in NSW. Or call 1800 007 007 for financial counselling advice.
Step 2: Find correct address for debt collector
You will need to look at correspondence from the debt collector to find out where to send this letter.
- If the debt was originally a consumer credit debt (such as a credit card or personal loan) you should send this request to complaints department contact of the debt collector.
- Find the details of a debt collector or lender from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) ‘find a financial firm’ web page or call AFCA on 1800 931 678 and ask for the internal dispute resolution contact details of the relevant organisation.
- Your debt collector (or your lender if they are chasing their own debt) will usually be required to be a member of this scheme by law if they are collecting a consumer credit debt.
Step 3: Complete the questions below
- Answer the questions below to customise your letter.
- Click the Preview Letter button below. You will be prompted if there is missing information.
- To make changes to your answers, use the Click here to change your selections feature, on the preview letter page.
Step 4: Copy & Paste the letter into your email or Word program, and send it!
- Copy & paste the letter into your email or a Word document.
- You can make other changes but be careful about changing the auto-generated content – get advice first.
- Email or post the letter to the other party.