Definition, Sample, and Your Rights

A debt validation letter is a letter that debt collectors should present that features details about the scale of your debt, when to pay it, and find out how to dispute it. A debt assortment letter primarily proves you owe the debt collector cash.

What Is a Debt Validation Letter?

When debt collectors contact you about cash it’s possible you’ll owe, they’re required by regulation to offer you sure data:

• The identify of the creditor you supposedly owe cash to
• The quantity you owe
• That you’ve the appropriate to dispute the debt, however in case you don’t dispute it inside 30 days of being contacted, the debt collector can assume it’s legitimate
• That in case you dispute the debt in writing, the debt collector should present written proof of the debt

If debt collectors first contact you by cellphone, ask that they as a substitute contact you in writing. They’re then required to ship you a debt validation letter inside 5 days containing all of that data.

Debt Assortment and Your Rights

Should you consider that you simply don’t owe the debt described within the debt validation letter, both as a result of it doesn’t belong to you or the statute of limitations has expired, you could have 30 days to dispute it, ranging from the date you obtained the required data from the debt collector.

Should you dispute it through writing, debt collectors usually are not allowed to name you or contact you or attempt to acquire fee till they’ve despatched written verification that you simply owe the debt.  

When disputing a debt, be sure you date your letter and ship it through licensed mail, so you could have a document of when the debt collector obtained it. 

In case you are requesting extra data, your letter ought to ask for particulars on why the debt collector believes you’re chargeable for the debt, how outdated the debt is, and whether or not the company is licensed to gather it.

You too can request that the debt collector solely talk with you thru your lawyer or specify what contact strategies are permitted. 

If a debt collector continues to contact you or harasses you, it’s possible you’ll file a grievance with the next businesses: 

Pattern Letter to Dispute a Debt

Should you’re undecided what ought to be included in your letter, you need to use the one under as a template. On this instance, the particular person writing the letter believes they don’t owe the cash due to fraudulent exercise. 

[Your name]

[Your return address] 

[Date]

[Debt collector’s name]

[Debt collector’s address]

Topic: [Including debt account number, if available]

Pricey [Debt collector],

I used to be contacted by [debt collector representative’s name] through [phone or letter] on [date]. The consultant mentioned I owed [dollar amount] to [name of creditor]. Nevertheless, I don’t owe that debt. My data was stolen [when], and I disputed that account with [name of creditor] and the key credit score bureaus. 

Should you consider that I’m nonetheless chargeable for this debt, please ship me any documentation you could have that proves that I owe it. Till then, please stop all communication with me and be aware in your data that I dispute any accountability for this debt. 

In case you are reporting this data to a credit score bureau or have already reported it, report that I’m disputing this debt. 

Thanks,

[Your name]

The Shopper Monetary Safety Bureau has different pattern letters on its web site you could customise to answer debt collectors. 

Subsequent Steps

After you could have mailed your request, debt collectors ought to ship you any documentation they’ve that you simply owe the debt. Or, they might cease all assortment efforts in the event that they don’t have sufficient data to show you owe it. In the event that they ship documentation, evaluate it fastidiously and examine it to your personal data. 

If it seems that you simply do owe the cash, because the debt collector claims, you could possibly negotiate with the collector and make a partial fee or arrange a fee plan. Should you’re not sure what to do subsequent, and the quantity concerned is massive sufficient, a debt assortment lawyer may very well be of assist.

The Backside Line

Having your debt turned over to a group company additionally has critical penalties, together with potential harm to your credit score. Some debt collectors will be aggressive and will try to gather on money owed that you simply by no means owed or not owe.

Debt collectors should offer you sure data in a debt validation letter. It is essential to grasp your rights relating to debt assortment, together with the truth that you’re entitled to a debt assortment letter. Earlier than you comply with pay something and even acknowledging that the debt is yours, it’s best to be sure you’ve obtained sure data offered on a debt assortment letter.