Here is a template for a Debt Validation Letter, Please do not use this letter word for word as many have used similar letters. Make the letter your own and change it around to fit your needs.
This letter should be sent ASAP, within the time limit after you receive your first dunning letter and may be used for additional collection agencies there after.
Your name
your address
your city, state, zip
Collection agencies name
address
city, state, zip
date
Regarding: (account number, reference number or whtever number they use to identify your account)
To Whom it May Concern,
I am sending you this letter in response to a (notice, letter, statement etc.) sent to me on (date of their letter, notice, statement) (and several phone calls to my cell phone / home dated between dates called). Please be advised that I am not refusing to pay this alleged account, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.
I am not requesting “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.
Please provide me with the following:
What the money you say I owe is for.
Explain and show me a break down of how you calculated this amount you say I owe.
Provide me with any paperwork or copies of papers that show I agreed to pay this amount you say I owe.
Identify the original creditor’s name, address and phone number.
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this alleged account.
Prove that you are licensed to collect in my state.
Provide me with your license number and any registered agents.
Provide me with a copy of the agreement between you and the original creditor that allows you to collect this debt for the original creditor.
If your offices are able to provide me with all of the proper documentation as requested. I will require at least 30 days to review and investigate this information and during such time any collection activity must cease and desist.
Also, during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing of any information to a credit reporting agency that could be inaccurate or invalidated or by verifying an alleged account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, or do not provide me with the proper validation, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.
I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home, cell phone, work place, to any family members, friends, neighbors or co-workers. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.
(You may also note here any harassing or threatening phone calls or any violations made by the collection agency. Note the day, time, the person’s name that called and what they said. ) It is a violation of the FDCPA for any collection company to harass a consumer.
This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.
Sincerely,
Your name
If you do receive a response make sure it is proper validation and not just a typed out letter. Most collection agencies will not even respond, the account will most likely be sent to another collection agency and you will just send another validation request.
If the collection agency does respond with proper validation (most wont), you may want to look up my next article about settling your accounts.
