Debt Verification Letter

Debt validation letter summary:

• Debt collectors are required to provide accurate information to show that a debt belongs to you. 

• A debt verification letter is a request you send to a debt collector to verify the debt. 

• You have rights under debt collection, per the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA)

Debt verification letter definition and meaning

A debt collector uses a debt validation letter (or debt validation notice) to prove that you owe money. You can send a debt verification letter to ensure the debt collector has their facts straight. 

Key concept: A debt verification letter is meant to get everyone on the same page and assure you that the debt is legitimate. You're free to dispute incorrect information provided by the debt collector.

More about debt verification letter

When a debt collector first contacts you and tells you how much money it thinks you owe, it's called a debt validation notice or debt validation letter. When you request these details or ask for more information about a debt after being contacted by a debt collector, this is called a debt verification letter. A debt verification letter is your chance to get more information from the debt collector and make sure you really owe the debt. It can also help you find out if you have any way to stop the debt collection process or defend yourself against a possible debt lawsuit (such as a time-barred debt). 

Here’s what’s important to know about a debt verification letter:

• Debt collectors must provide specific information that proves an unpaid debt is yours. It’s spelled out in a federal law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 

• This information is supposed to be included in a debt validation notice or debt validation letter within five days of the debt collector’s first communication with you.

• You have the right to request this information from the debt collector if they don’t provide it when they first contact you.

Debt verification letter: a comprehensive breakdown 

A debt verification letter allows you to make sure the debt you're being contacted about actually belongs to you. When you send a debt verification letter, this letter should request:

• Details regarding the original creditor. In other words, if Bucks and Coins Debt Collectors, Inc. reaches out, you want to know to whom you originally owed the debt.  

• A copy of the original agreement showing that you are obligated to repay the debt.

• An itemized breakdown of all portions of the debt, including the principal, fees, and interest. This breakdown should include the dates each of the expenses was added. 

• Documentation showing the age of the debt and the original date it became delinquent. 

• Evidence of the collection agency's license to collect debt in your state, and information about the state agency that issued the license. 

Once you've sent a debt verification letter, the collection agency must stop trying to collect until it can adequately respond to your request. 

Once they provide the requested information, you have 30 days to dispute any part of it.

In addition, you can send a debt collector a cease-and-desist letter telling them to stop contacting you. Note that if you tell them to stop contacting you, it could be harder to work out a solution. The next time you hear from them could be a notice that they’ve filed a lawsuit against you.