Collectors are calling about a debt that you believe belongs
to someone else or the amount they claim you owe is wrong.
If you believe you are a victim of unfair or illegal debt collection tactics, submit your information to a FREE* Fair Debt Lawyer by:
The debt collector may just be liable to you for statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus any actual damages suffered, plus attorney fees!
If collectors are calling and demanding money for a debt that may
not be yours or you cannot remember if it is yours or the amount of the debt is
wrong you have, according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) the
right to dispute the debt. If you wish to dispute a debt it is in your best
interest to do so in writing.
Use the free sample debt dispute letter below to write your own
personal letter to dispute debts when you don't owe the money or at least you
don't think you do. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires collectors,
once they've received your dispute letter, to cease contacting or calling you
until they verify the debt is valid.
Here is just one example where this letter would be appropriate.
Even though you've tried several times to explain why you do
not believe particular debt is yours, the collector continues to ignore your
explanation and demands payment today! The conversation quickly deteriorates
into verbal harassment and abuse.
Feel free to copy and paste the text of the letter
below into your word processor or use this . Clicking the link should open your
email program where you can click the send email button to request a free copy
of this letter in Microsoft Word format.
Feel free to copy and paste the letter below into
your word processor.
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Initial Debt Collection Dispute
Letter
Today's Date
Your Name
Your Address
Collector's Name
Collector's Address
Dear {insert name of collector or company},
I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call)
dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you
say I owe.
This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company
on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices
Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in
writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt,
or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and
address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of
the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains
verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of
the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and
address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt
collector.
I respectfully request that you provide me with the
following information:
- (1) the amount of the debt;
- (2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
- (3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if
applicable);
- (4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in
(insert name of your state)
Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For
instance, I know that:
- because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30
days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the
debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your
expense;
- you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by
the original contract or state law.
- you do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do,
any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the
FDCPA;
Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of
all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone
calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State
Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.
I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you
know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have
already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit
Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this
debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report
information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2.
Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the
judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with
the FDCPA.
Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you
immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they
are also aware of my dispute with this debt.
Signature here
Your Printed Name
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IMPORTANT: Always send debt collection dispute
letters by "official mail - return receipt requested" and keep a copy for your
records. Also, recognize that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act does not
require collectors to respond to your dispute unless they intend to take
specific actions such as pursuing court actions. Finally, don't be surprised if
you never hear from the collector because when collectors cannot verify a debt,
they usually drop the account or sell it to another collector.
If you've already sent an initial debt dispute letter and have
heard nothing back, consider using this follow up
debt collection dispute letter to be sure.
Use these free mailing and
record-keeping instructions
If you've fallen behind on your bills, especially credit cards,
don't panic. You may have several good options available to you. Your success
starts by assessing your current situation and finding a trusted service
provider that is licensed in your state.
Fair Debt
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Initial Dispute Letter |
