Debt letter received? Understand it before you respond

Free overview

Upload your letter

We’ll send you a plain-English overview of what it’s claiming — usually by the next working day before 4pm.

Choose a file or drag it here

PDF, JPG or PNG · max. 8 MB

A phone photo is fine — just make sure the numbers are readable.

No payment today. Your free overview is usually sent by the next working day. £49 only if you later choose the full analysis.

We'll only use this to send your free overview. No marketing emails, no mailing list.

🔒 Not shared with the company chasing you · No subscription · Everything in writing

Not a debt letter? Unpaid bill · Subscription · Parking notice

✓ Proof and documents ✓ Added charges ✓ Creditor clarity ✓ Response draft ✓ Full review optional

After first check

Fuller overview + response draft

We go through the letter in plain language — the amount claimed, any added fees, and who is contacting you. We explain what may still need clarifying and prepare a response draft. You decide what to do next.

Amount claimed and added charges explained
Documents, proof and creditor details clarified
Points worth understanding before payment identified
Clear next steps in plain English
Response draft you can adapt
Result by email — before 4pm the next working day

£49 one-off · no subscription

Start with the free overview

🔒 Secure payment via Stripe — card details are never stored

If the review does not meet expectations, get in touch. We will take another look.

The free overview is enough for some people. If it already answered your question, you don't need to go further. The fuller overview is for anyone who still has something specific they want checked or put in writing.

We go through every letter the same careful way and put the result in writing, instead of a phone call you might not remember the details of afterward. That also keeps the cost low enough to be worth it for a single letter.

How it works

01

Upload your letter

Upload your debt letter, collection notice or payment demand. PDF, JPG or PNG.

02

Receive a free first overview

You receive a plain-language overview of what the letter contains — who is writing, what is being claimed, and whether there are points worth clarifying.

03

Optional: fuller overview + response draft

If you want more detail, a fuller overview with a response draft is available for £49.

Things people often want clarified

Things people often want to understand first

Proof and documentation

Does the letter explain what the original debt is based on and whether the claim has been properly passed on?

Added fees and charges

Added fees and interest are not always clearly explained. It is worth understanding what they cover before deciding what to do.

Who is contacting you?

Letters may come from the original creditor, a debt purchaser or a collection agency. Understanding who is writing can be relevant before you respond.

This may help if

✓ You received a debt letter, collection notice or payment demand and are not sure what to do

✓ The letter includes added fees, interest or collection charges that are not clearly explained

✓ You are not sure whether the claim is from the original creditor or a collection agency

✓ You want to understand the situation before paying, responding or ignoring the letter

Frequently asked questions

Things people usually ask

Can I speak to someone by phone? ⌄

We don't offer phone consultations. Everything is delivered in writing by email, which lets us review every letter carefully and keep the service affordable. You'll get something you can read, save, and refer back to.

What happens to my document after I upload it? ⌄

It's used only to prepare your overview. It is not shared with third parties, advertisers, or the company chasing the debt.

Do I have to pay immediately when I receive a collection letter? ⌄

Not necessarily. Collection letters typically include a payment deadline, but in most cases you are entitled to request further information or clarification before paying. Understanding what you are actually being asked to pay — and by whom — is a reasonable step before responding.

What are collection fees and do I have to pay them? ⌄

Collection letters often include fees added by a collection agency on top of the original amount owed. Whether these are valid depends on the original contract and how the debt was passed on. This is one of the things an overview can help clarify.

What if the letter is from a company I don't recognise? ⌄

Debt is commonly sold on to third-party collection companies. If you do not recognise the name of the company contacting you, it is reasonable to ask for confirmation that the debt has been properly assigned before making any payment.

Is this legal advice? ⌄

No. DoIPayThat provides plain-language document overviews and response drafts. It is not a legal service and does not provide legal representation. For complex disputes, you may wish to consult a legal professional.

What happens after I upload? ⌄

You receive a plain-language overview by email — typically by the next working day before 4pm. This gives you a clearer picture of the letter. If you would like more detail, a fuller overview with a response draft is available for £49.

Can making a small payment make things worse? ⌄

Yes, in some cases. If a debt is old enough that the limitation period may have expired, making any payment — even a small one — can restart that clock and potentially revive a debt that could otherwise no longer be enforced. Before making any payment on a debt you are unsure about, it is worth understanding what you are dealing with first.

Is this letter a court document? ⌄

Most debt collection letters are not court documents. However, some letters include a Reply Form as part of a formal pre-action protocol — and failing to return that form within the stated timeframe can result in court proceedings being issued without further warning. If your letter contains a form to complete and return, treat that deadline seriously. A court claim form (N1) will clearly state it comes from a court.

Guides for common debt letter situations

Short, plain-language explanations for the letters and situations people most often ask about. Free to read — no upload needed.

DoIPayThat is an independent service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Cabot, Lowell, PRA Group, or any other debt collection company. Company names are referred to only to help people understand letters they have received.

Received a Cabot Financial letter?

What it means and how to understand the claim.

Received a PRA Group letter?

Understanding a letter from a debt purchaser.

Received a Lowell letter?

What a Lowell Financial letter is asking for.

This debt isn't mine

What to do if you don't recognise the debt.

Is the debt too old to enforce?

Understanding statute-barred debt in the UK.

Received a default notice?

What a default notice means and your options.