Finance Editor, Kael Tripton Ltd - LBS MBA - Verified against FCA Handbook: 14 June 2026
Quick answer
FCA CONC 7 prohibits aggressive, misleading or oppressive debt collection. Debt collectors cannot contact you at unreasonable times, cannot threaten legal action they will not take, and must provide debt verification within 12 working days if requested. Statute-barred debts (over 6 years old) cannot be enforced through court.
What FCA CONC 7 Rules Govern Debt Collection?
Direct answer
What are my rights when a debt collector contacts me?
Under CONC 7 (handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/CONC/7/), debt collectors cannot use aggressive or oppressive tactics, cannot contact you at unreasonable times, cannot threaten legal action they will not take, and must provide debt verification within 12 working days if requested. Statute-barred debts over 6 years old cannot be enforced through court.
FCA Handbook - CONC 7.3.2 - Verbatim Rule Text Source: handbook.fca.org.uk
A firm must not engage in behaviour that is oppressive or unfair towards a debtor, including: threatening, pestering or using aggressive debt collection tactics; misrepresenting the amount owed or the legal status of the debt.
Request written confirmation of the debt
Write to the debt collector requesting a copy of the original credit agreement and a statement of account. Under CONC 7.17 they must provide this within 12 working days.
Check if the debt is statute-barred
Calculate 6 years from the date of your last payment or written acknowledgement. If more than 6 years have passed, the debt may be statute-barred and cannot be enforced through court.
Report aggressive debt collection to the FCA
If the debt collector is using aggressive or oppressive tactics, report to the FCA at fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-us and the FOS.
Request the debt collector stops contacting you at certain times
Write to the collector specifying your preferred contact method and hours. They must comply under CONC 7.9.
Get free debt advice
National Debtline (nationaldebtline.org) and StepChange (stepchange.org) can advise on your rights and help negotiate with creditors.
| Practice | Allowed under CONC 7? | What to do if it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Contact at unreasonable hours | No | Request preferred hours in writing |
| Threatening legal action not intended | No | Report to FCA and FOS |
| More than 3 contacts per week | Likely a breach | Request reduced contact in writing, report to FOS |
| Refusing to provide debt verification | No -- must provide within 12 days | Complain to FOS; debt is unenforceable during dispute |
| Pursuing statute-barred debt through court | No | Raise statute-bar as a defence if court action is taken |
Frequently Asked Questions
What FCA rules govern debt collection?
Debt collection by FCA-authorised firms is regulated under CONC 7 of the FCA Handbook. CONC 7 prohibits: misleading debtors about the amount owed or the consequences of non-payment, pressurising debtors in ways that are oppressive or likely to cause distress, contacting debtors at unreasonable times (e.g. early morning or late at night), threatening legal action that cannot or will not be taken, and using agents to pursue debt in an aggressive manner.
Can a debt collector contact me at any time?
No. CONC 7.9 sets out rules on communications with debtors. Debt collectors must not contact debtors at unreasonable times, must not contact debtors excessively, and must communicate by the debtor's preferred method if one has been specified. The FCA has stated that contacting debtors more than 3 times per week or outside of reasonable hours (typically 8am-9pm) may breach CONC 7.
What is a statute-barred debt?
A statute-barred debt is one where the limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980 has expired, typically 6 years in England and Wales from the date of the last payment or written acknowledgement. Once a debt is statute-barred, the creditor cannot successfully sue to recover it through the courts. However, the debt still technically exists and can appear on a credit file. Debt collectors must inform debtors when a debt is statute-barred and must not threaten legal action to recover it.
What is a default notice under the Consumer Credit Act?
Under Section 87 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, a creditor must serve a formal default notice before it can terminate a regulated credit agreement, demand early repayment or start court proceedings. The default notice must specify the breach, give the debtor at least 14 days to remedy it, and state the consequences of non-remedy. Terminating a regulated credit agreement without a valid default notice is unlawful.
Can I request verification of a debt?
Yes. Under CONC 7.17, if a debtor requests verification of a debt, the creditor or debt collector must provide a copy of the original agreement and a statement of account within 12 working days. During this period, the debt is in dispute and enforcement action should be suspended. Failure to provide verification within 12 working days makes the debt temporarily unenforceable.
Primary sources
Kael Tripton Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under registration number ZC135439.
