Your FDCPA rights
Debt Validation: Your Right to Verify the Debt
Before paying any debt collector, you have the right to request written verification. Learn how debt validation works under the FDCPA.
Federal Law Protects You
Debt validation is one of your most powerful FDCPA rights. It requires collectors to prove the debt is real, belongs to you, and is for the correct amount — before you have to pay anything.
What do people ask about debt validation: your right to verify the debt?
What must a debt collector provide in their first notice?
Within 5 days of first contact, collectors must send a written notice with: the debt amount; the creditor name; a statement that you have 30 days to dispute; and information on how to get the collector to verify the debt.
How do I request debt validation?
Send a written validation request to the collector within 30 days of their first communication. Use certified mail with return receipt. State clearly: "I am writing to request validation of the debt you are attempting to collect." Keep a copy of everything.
What must collectors provide to validate a debt?
Under updated 2021 CFPB rules, collectors must provide: the debt amount; the creditor to whom the debt is owed; the date of last payment; and information about your right to dispute. Account statements or payment history showing you owe the debt is typically sufficient.
What happens while waiting for validation?
Once you dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must stop all collection activity until they mail you written verification of the debt. This is a hard stop — any continued collection attempts during this period violate the FDCPA.
What if the debt is not mine?
If you dispute the debt and the collector cannot verify it, they must cease collection. Send a follow-up letter stating the debt is not yours and requesting they stop all contact. File complaints with the CFPB and FTC. Debt buyers sometimes pursue debts against the wrong person due to identity theft or database errors.
Related Resources
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Every figure on PlainCollector is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
| Publisher | PlainCollector |
| Sources | the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database |