Debt collectors
How to request debt validation (with letter template)
If a debt collector contacts you about a debt you do not recognize, think is wrong or simply want proof of, send a written dispute and request for validation within the deadline on the collector's validation notice - at least 30 days after you get it. A dispute sent in that window legally requires the collector to pause collection until it mails you verification of the debt. A fill-in template is below.
Validation notice vs validation request
These two terms are easy to mix up:
- The validation notice is what the collector must send you, in its first contact or within 5 days after. It lists the creditor, the amount, an itemization and the date your dispute window ends.
- The validation request is what you send back. It disputes the debt and asks the collector to verify it.
Look for the line on the notice that says when the validation period ends. That is your deadline. If you never received a notice, ask the collector for one in writing. Our guide to your rights with debt collectors explains what the notice must include.
When to send it
- before the end of the validation period printed on the notice
- before you pay anything, agree to a payment plan or confirm the debt is yours on the phone
- when you do not recognize the creditor, the amount looks wrong, or you think the debt was paid, settled, discharged in bankruptcy or caused by identity theft
- when the debt is old and you want to know the dates before deciding what to do
Missed the deadline? You can still dispute. The collector is no longer required to pause collection, but it must not ignore a dispute, and if it reports the debt to the credit bureaus it must show that the debt is disputed. You can also dispute the debt with the bureaus directly - see how to dispute a credit report error.
What your letter should include
- your name and mailing address
- the collector's reference or account number from its notice
- a clear statement that you dispute the debt and are requesting verification
- a list of what you want the collector to provide
- a request that it stop collection until it responds
- your preferred way to be contacted, if you want to limit calls
Keep it short. Do not include your Social Security number, bank details or a long explanation, and do not say "I owe" or promise to pay. You do not have to give a reason for disputing.
Debt validation letter template
Copy this into a document, fill in the parts in square brackets, and delete any lines that do not apply.
[Your full name]
[Your street address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
[Collector's name]
[Collector's mailing address from the validation notice]
Sent by certified mail, return receipt requested
Re: Reference number [reference or account number from the notice]
To whom it may concern:
I am writing in response to your [letter / call / message] dated [date] about a debt you say I owe. I dispute this debt and request verification under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692g, and Regulation F.
Please provide the following:
1. The name and address of the original creditor, and the account number the original creditor used.
2. The name of the current owner of the debt and, if the debt was sold or assigned, the date it was transferred to that owner.
3. An itemization of the amount you say I owe, showing the amount on the itemization date and all interest, fees, payments and credits since then.
4. A copy of documents showing that I am responsible for this debt, such as a signed agreement or a statement from the original creditor.
5. The date of the last payment and the date of the first delinquency on the account.
6. [If applicable] Your license number to collect debts in [your state].
Until you provide this verification, please stop all collection activity on this debt. If you report this debt to any credit bureau, you must report it as disputed.
[Optional] Please contact me only in writing at the address above. Do not call me [at work / at all / at (phone number)].
This letter is not an acknowledgment that I owe this debt, and it is not a promise to pay.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]
The CFPB, the federal regulator for debt collection, also publishes free sample letters for dealing with debt collectors.
How to send it
- Fill it in and sign it. Remove options that do not apply. Check the reference number twice.
- Make copies. Keep a copy of your letter and of the collector's notice. Including a copy of the notice can help the collector match your letter to the account.
- Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested. Use the dispute address listed on the validation notice. The receipt proves the date the collector got your letter, which matters if you need to show you disputed in time.
- Use the online option too, if offered. Some notices list a website or email address for disputes. You can use it as well, but keep the certified mail receipt as your proof.
- Put dates on your calendar. Note the date you mailed it, the date it was delivered and a follow-up date about 30 to 45 days later.
What a proper response includes
The law does not list exactly what "verification" must contain, and courts have often accepted fairly basic information. A good response typically includes:
- the name of the original creditor and of the current owner of the debt
- the account number used by the original creditor, or at least its last digits
- an itemized amount that matches or explains the figure on the notice
- a document linking the debt to you, such as a statement or charge-off notice from the original creditor
- a copy of a court judgment, if there is one
Here is how to read what comes back:
| What you get | What it may mean | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Documents that match your records | The debt is likely valid | Check the statute of limitations, then decide whether to pay, negotiate or set up a plan. Get any deal in writing before paying. |
| Documents with errors - wrong name, amount or dates | The account may be mixed up or the amount inflated | Dispute again in writing, point out the errors, and dispute with the credit bureaus if it appears on your report. |
| No reply, and collection stops | The collector may have dropped the account | Keep your records. If it is still on your credit report, dispute it with the bureaus. |
| No reply, but calls and letters continue | Possible FDCPA violation if you disputed on time | Document each contact, file a complaint and consider talking to a consumer attorney. |
| Court papers | You have been sued | Respond by the court's deadline. See below. |
After validation: your options
- If the debt is valid and recent, you can pay, negotiate a lower lump-sum settlement or ask for a payment plan. Get the terms in writing first, and never give a collector ongoing access to your bank account.
- If the debt is old, check your state's statute of limitations before paying. In some states a payment can restart the clock. Rules vary by state.
- If it is not your debt, say so in writing. If it came from identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and send the collector a copy of your report.
- If you want the contact to stop, you can send a separate cease-communication letter. See how to stop debt collector calls.
Questions and answers
Is a debt validation letter the same as a dispute?
Yes, in practice. A validation letter disputes the debt and asks the collector to verify it. If you send it within the validation period on the collector's notice, the collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification.
What if I missed the 30-day window?
You can still dispute the debt and ask for information. The collector does not have to pause collection, but it cannot ignore your dispute, and it must show the debt as disputed if it reports it to a credit bureau.
Does asking for validation restart the statute of limitations?
Asking for validation is not a promise to pay. But in some states acknowledging a debt in writing or making a payment can restart the time limit for a lawsuit, so avoid saying you owe the debt. Rules vary by state, and legal aid can advise you.
Do I have to send the letter by certified mail?
No, the law does not require it. But certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of when the collector received your dispute, which can matter if the collector later says you did not dispute in time.
Can the collector report the debt to the credit bureaus while I am disputing it?
If a collector reports a debt it knows you dispute, it must report it as disputed. A collector also generally cannot report a debt to a credit bureau before it has contacted you about it.
Questions about this guide
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