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Evidence Gathering Checklist

Good evidence wins claims.


#Universal Evidence (All Claims)

These apply to almost every type of claim:

  • Original contract/agreement – The document you signed
  • Receipts and invoices – Proof of what you paid
  • Bank/card statements – Showing payments made
  • Correspondence – Emails, letters, chat logs with the company
  • Screenshots – Of websites, apps, error messages
  • Photos/videos – Of faulty goods, damage, etc.
  • Notes and timeline – Dates of calls, who you spoke to, what was said
  • Previous complaints – Any complaints you've already made

#By Claim Type

#Motor Finance Commission

  • Finance agreement (PCP/HP contract)
  • Welcome letter from lender
  • Payment schedule
  • Bank statements showing payments
  • Any documents from the dealership
  • Credit file (shows all credit agreements)

#Tenancy Deposit

  • Tenancy agreement
  • Proof of deposit payment (bank transfer, receipt)
  • Deposit protection certificate (if received)
  • Prescribed information (if received)
  • Screenshots from TDS, DPS, MyDeposits searches
  • Inventory at start and end of tenancy
  • Photos of property condition

#Flight Delay / Cancellation

  • Booking confirmation
  • E-tickets / boarding passes
  • Proof of delay (flight tracking app screenshot, airport display board)
  • Airline communications (cancellation emails, texts)
  • Receipts for expenses incurred (food, hotel, transport)
  • Evidence of reason for delay (if airline claims "extraordinary circumstances")

#Section 75 / Chargeback

  • Credit/debit card statement showing transaction
  • Order confirmation / receipt
  • Product description / listing (screenshot)
  • Evidence of the problem (photos, expert report)
  • Correspondence with seller
  • Proof seller has ceased trading (if applicable)

#Irresponsible Lending

  • Loan/credit agreement
  • Bank statements from time of application
  • Payslips / proof of income at the time
  • Evidence of other debts at the time
  • Credit file history
  • Evidence of financial hardship (benefits letters, etc.)

#Bank Charges / Overdraft

  • Bank statements (ideally 12+ months)
  • Evidence of financial difficulty
  • Correspondence with bank
  • Any hardship letters you sent
  • Evidence of vulnerability (if applicable)

#Housing Disrepair

  • Tenancy agreement
  • Photos/videos of disrepair (dated)
  • Written reports of issues to landlord (with dates)
  • Landlord's responses (or lack of)
  • Medical evidence (if health affected)
  • Receipts for damaged belongings
  • Environmental Health report (if obtained)

#Mis-Sold Pension

  • Pension transfer documents
  • Original pension statements
  • Advice documents / suitability report
  • Risk questionnaire you completed
  • Marketing materials you received
  • Correspondence with adviser

#Parking Ticket Appeals

  • Copy of the ticket / PCN
  • Photos of signage at location
  • Photos of your car and where parked
  • Receipt if you paid for parking
  • Evidence you weren't the driver (if applicable)
  • Any mitigating circumstances

#GDPR / Data Breach

  • Breach notification letter/email
  • Evidence of what data was exposed
  • Screenshots of any suspicious activity
  • Correspondence with the company
  • Evidence of distress (diary entries, GP records)
  • Receipts for credit monitoring if purchased

#Consumer Rights (Faulty Goods)

  • Receipt / proof of purchase
  • Photos/videos of the fault
  • Product description / specifications
  • Expert report (if obtained)
  • Manufacturer's warranty (if applicable)
  • Correspondence with retailer

#How to Organise Your Evidence


#Evidence You Can Request

If you don't have everything, you can often get it:

What You Need How to Get It
Credit agreements Subject Access Request to lender
Call recordings Subject Access Request
Internal notes Subject Access Request
Credit file Free from Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
Bank statements Online banking or request from bank
Flight data FlightAware, FlightRadar24
Company filings Companies House (free)

#What If I Don't Have Evidence?