Sample Debt Dispute Letter to Collectors

Table of contents for First Debt Dispute Letter to Collectors

Sample Debt Dispute Letter to Collectors
Sample Follow-up Letter To Initial Debt Dispute Letter To Collector

So collectors are calling and demanding money for a debt that may not be yours. You have tried several times to explain why you do not believe that the debt is yours, but the collector still ignores your explanation and demands payment immediately. The conversation quickly deteriorates into verbal harassment and abuse. You can’t even remember if it is yours or whether the amount of the debt you have is wrong. Well, according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to dispute the debt. It is always in your best interest to dispute any debt ONLY 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 have received your dispute letter, to cease contacting or calling you until they verify the debt is valid.

Copy and paste the Initial Debt Collection Dispute letter shown below in your favorite text editor or wordprocessor, then tweak it to suit your situation.

—————–

Date

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip

Collector’s Name
Collector’s Address
City, State, Zip

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

PLEASE NOTE** Always send debt dispute letters only by “certified mail or official mail-return receipt requested”. Keep copies for your records. 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.

So keep in mind that if you never hear from the collector, because when these collectors are unable to verify your debt, they will usually drop the account or sell it to another collector.

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