Sample Debt Validation Letter For Debt Collectors

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The key takeaways are that consumers have the right to request validation of a debt within 30 days of contact by a debt collector. Sending a debt validation letter requires the collector to stop collection efforts until they provide proof of the debt.

A consumer has the right to request validation of the debt within 30 days of contact. They must make this request in writing and the collector cannot contact the consumer until providing proof of the debt.

A debt validation letter should reference the initial contact, request validation of the debt, and request specific information like the original creditor details, account number, amount owed and age of debt. It should not admit to owing the debt.

BUDGETING MANAGING YOUR DEBT

Sample Debt Validation


Letter for Debt Collectors
Use this letter to dispute a debt collection
you're unsure of
BY LATOYA IRBY REVIEWED BY SOMER G. ANDERSON

Updated March 23, 2021

Image by Theresa Chiechi © The Balance 2019

Not every debt collector who contacts you is


attempting to collect a legitimate debt. Sometimes
debt collectors scam consumers into paying debts
that aren't real or perhaps have already been paid. [1]
The Right to Request Validation

Federal law gives you the right to request a debt


collector provide proof that you owe a debt. [2] It's
the best way to ensure that you're not paying a debt
you don't owe or a debt that the collector isn't
authorized to collect on.

The debt validation request is time sensitive. You


must make your request in writing within 30 days of
the debt collector's initial contact with you. If you
wait more than 30 days, your validation request may
not be covered under debt collection law.

Your rights are not protected if you make your debt


validation request over the phone. Don't worry if you
don't know what to say in a letter; there's one below
that you can use as a template.

Once you send a request for proof, also called a debt


validation letter, the collector must stop collection
e orts until they've sent su cient proof of the debt.
It means they cannot call you, send you letters, or
list the debt on your credit report. [3]

How to Write a Debt Validation Letter


In the letter, reference the date of the initial contact
and the method, for example, "a phone call received
from your agency on April 25, 2019." You also need to
provide a statement that you're requesting
validation of the debt. Do not admit to owing the
debt or make any reference to payment.

Send your letter via certi ed mail, so you have proof


of when the letter was mailed and received. [4]

Re: Account Number

Thi l tt i t i t [
This letter is sent in response to [a
letter/phone call] I received on [date
you received the letter/call]. I am
requesting that you provide verification
of this debt.

Please send the following information:

The name and address of the original


creditor, the account number, and the
amount owed.

Verification that there is a valid basis


for claiming I am required to pay the
current amount owed.

Details about the age and amount of the


debt including a copy of the last
billing statement from the original
creditor; a detailed explanation of any
interest added or payments made since
the last billing statement and the legal
authorization for this interest; the
date the original creditor claims this
debt became delinquent.

Please also note whether this debt is


within the statute of limitations and
how that was determined.

Please also forward details about your


authority to collect this debt: whether
you are licensed in my state and if so
provide the date of the license, name on
the license, license number, and the
license number, and the name, address
and telephone number of the state agency
and telephone number of the state agency
issuing the license. If you are

contacting me from outside my state,


provide the licensing information from
your state as well.

Sincerely,

Your Name

The Debt Collector's Response to Your


Validation Request
If the debt collector does not send you proof of the
debt, any future collection e orts are in violation of
the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Note that your
account may be assigned or sold to a new debt
collection agency. In that case, your validation
request from the previous collection agency does
not apply. [2] [5]

Otherwise, if the debt collector does send proof,


determine whether or not the debt is within the
statute of limitations, and then decide how you want
to proceed. [6] Paying the debt, takes care of the
obligation for good. You may be able to negotiate a
settlement for less than the full balance due. [7]
Finally, if the debt is outside the statute of
limitations for your state, you can ignore the debt if
you have no interest in paying it, but keep in mind
that collection e orts can continue inde nitely.

ARTICLE SOURCES
MANAGING YOUR DEBT
MANAGING YOUR DEBT
What Is a Debt Collector?
How Debt Collectors Try to Collect
Nonexistent Debt

MANAGING YOUR DEBT MANAGING YOUR DEBT

Your Consumer Rights With Debt How to Handle Debt Collector Calls
Collectors About a Paid Debt

MANAGING YOUR DEBT

Here Is a Look at the Debt Validation


MANAGING YOUR DEBT
Requirements for Collectors
Who's Calling You? A Debt Buyer or a
Debt Collector?

MANAGING YOUR DEBT MANAGING YOUR DEBT

3 Ways to Deal With Time-Barred Why is a Collector Calling on a Debt


Debts That's Not On My Credit Report?
MANAGING YOUR DEBT MANAGING YOUR DEBT
How to Pay O a Debt in Collection You Sent a Cease and Desist, But the
Collector Still Calls. What to do...

MANAGING YOUR DEBT


Why Collectors Can Call When You're
MANAGING YOUR DEBT
on the Do Not Call Registry
What Is Zombie Debt?

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