If the debt is more than six years old (in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland) and you have not made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing during that six-year period, it may be statute barred under the Limitation Act 1980. A "prove it" letter asks the debt collector to demonstrate that you are liable for the debt before you engage further.
Here's a professional letter you can send:
Writing
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Postcode]
[Date]
To:
[Debt Recovery Firm Name]
[Debt Recovery Firm Address]
Reference: [Account/Reference Number]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing in response to your recent correspondence regarding the above account.
I do not acknowledge any liability for the debt you claim I owe.
Before I will enter into any further correspondence regarding this matter, please provide evidence that I am legally liable for the alleged debt. Specifically, please supply:
A copy of the original signed credit agreement or other document giving rise to the alleged debt.
A full statement of account showing how the amount claimed has been calculated.
Evidence that you have the legal authority to collect this debt.
Furthermore, it is my understanding that this alleged debt is over six years old. Unless you can demonstrate otherwise, I believe it may be statute barred under the Limitation Act 1980. To the best of my knowledge, I have neither made a payment towards this debt nor acknowledged it in writing within the relevant limitation period.
If the debt is indeed statute barred, I require you to confirm that you will cease all collection activity and remove my details from your active recovery process.
Until you have provided the requested evidence, I expect all collection activity to be suspended.
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature (if sending by post)]
[Your Printed Name]
A few tips:
Do not sign with your usual signature if posting the letter—some people prefer to print their name or use a digital signature to reduce the risk of signature misuse.
Send it by recorded delivery or keep proof of postage.
Keep a copy of the letter for your records.
If you're in Scotland, the limitation rules are different (typically five years), so let me know and I'll adapt the letter accordingly.