Check everything from your name, social security number and addresses, to
names of creditors owed.
Unless provided in the initial contact, within five (5) days, every debt collector must send a written «validation notice» indicating how much money you owe,
the name of the creditor you owe, what dispute rights you have if you think you do not owe this debt, and how to obtain information about the original creditor.
Tell them you refuse to talk any further until you get a written «validation notice,» which must include the amount of the debt,
the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
The notice must include the amount of the debt,
the name of the creditor you owe, and a description of certain rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Not exact matches
The
name and address
of the
creditor to whom the debt is currently
owed, the account number used by that
creditor, and the amount
owed.
If this debt started with a different
creditor, provide the
name and address
of the original
creditor, the account number used by that
creditor, and the amount
owed to that
creditor at the time it was transferred.
It not only has the
name of the
creditor, but how much you
owe, whether you are current, if you have ever paid late and how many times.
Creating a list
of debts that includes the
names of the
creditors, the total amount you
owe, the monthly payments you need, and the due date for payment is a good idea just to help you visualize exactly how much you
owe and need to pay off.
Within five days
of your first contact from a collection agency, the collector must send you a written notice that lists the amount
owed and the
name of the
creditor to whom money is
owed.
This validation notice needs to include the amount that is
owed and the
name of the
creditor.
This step will provide you with the exact amount you
owe, the
name and address
of the original
creditor, or other information that may help you figure out where you stand, according to the Consumer Federation
of America.
Request the
name of the original
creditor, the amount the collector claims you
owe and when the account was placed for collection.
(1) the amount
of the debt; (2) the
name of the
creditor to whom the debt is
owed; (3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt
of the notice, disputes the validity
of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector; (4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty - day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification
of the debt or a copy
of a judgment against the consumer and a copy
of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and (5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty - day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the
name and address
of the original
creditor, if different from the current
creditor.
No collection agency, agent or company shall attempt to communicate or communicate with a debtor, by any means, with respect to the collection
of a debt without indicating the balance
owing on the account, the
name of the
creditor with whom the debt was incurred, and the collection agency's, agent or company's registered
name and authority to make the demand.
That information includes the amount
of the debt and the
name of the
creditor to whom the debt is
owed.
This notice must say who you
owe money to (your
creditor), the amount you
owe, the
name of the collection agency and the fact that they have permission from the
creditor to collect the debt.
You have the right to receive written notice providing the amount you
owe, the
name of the original
creditor and instructions on how to dispute the debt.
If you want to examine the three together and compare all the information contained in each report to be sure it's accurate (e.g. spelling
of name, address, businesses you have credit accounts with, amount
owed to each
creditor, etc.), you should request all three at the same time.
With this document you can get the details organized, like the
names of the
creditor and debtor, the type
of debt
owed (personal loan, payment for goods or services, trade credit, or debt on rental property) and the amount.
For any debts that you don't pay off monthly, bring the
name of the
creditor, the account number, and the balance
owing.