Debt Validation letters are essential in getting the correct information from a creditor, or eliminating bad information from your credit file. Collection Companies will purchase non-collectible debt, and attempt to strong arm consumers. The Debt Validation Sample Letter below will help you confirm the debt is yours, and it is collectible.
Keep in mind. You may want to use caution for debt that is within the statute of limitations.
FDCPA requires a collection company to send you an initial written notice containing these five things:
- The amount of the debt;
- The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
- A statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
- A statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
- A statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.
You can send a simple debt validation letter merely asking for confirmation of the debt, but using a more professional letter could scare off zombie collectors. Please see the debt validation sample letter example below.
Dear [Collection Agency],
I recently reviewed a copy of my credit report and noticed that there is a collection listed from your agency which I was not aware of or notified about. Please understand that this letter is not a refusal to pay, but rather a request for validation of the debt as required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b).
I am requesting that you cease all collection activities, including reporting this information on my credit report, until the debt has been properly validated. Please be aware that failure to comply with this request may result in legal obligations.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
There are many variations of this kind of debt validation sample letter, so you may need to cater your letter to your specific situation. In a pinch, the only information needed for a debt validation letter is:
“I pulled my credit bureau report, and I discovered that you claim I owe you a debt. Under § 809 of FDCPA, send me validation of this debt”
This article was last updated on December 27, 2022