What to Do With a Debt Collection Letter
A debt collection letter is often your first formal notice that an account has moved to collections. Knowing what it should include, and what your rights are in response, helps you respond the right way.
What a Collection Letter Typically Includes
- The amount the collector claims you owe
- The name of the original creditor
- A validation notice explaining your right to dispute the debt
Your Right to Request Validation Within 30 Days
You generally have 30 days from first contact to request written validation of the debt. See Debt Validation Letters for how to do this properly.
Sending a validation request in writing (not just asking over the phone) pauses collection activity while the collector gathers proof, they're required to stop calling and reporting to credit bureaus until they respond. It costs nothing and only takes a few minutes to write.
What NOT to Do
Don't ignore the letter, silence doesn't make it go away and can lead to escalation. Just as important, don't acknowledge the debt or make a payment before verifying it's accurate and legitimate, a partial payment can sometimes restart your state's statute of limitations clock.